The son of John Alexander & Margaret Rebecca (Wagaman) Provard (Pervard in the 1860 census), there is reason to believe his full name was John Alexander Provard Jr. In 1850, he was living with his family in Quincy Township, Franklin County, Pennsylvania, but is found neither in the 1860 census nor 1863-65 draft registration in Franklin County.

A Civil War veteran, he served two terms of service:

1. Drafted at the claimed age of twenty-five by the state in Franklin County October 16, 1862, and mustered into federal service at Chambersburg November 4 as a private with Co. G, 158th Pennsylvania Infantry (aka "Drafted Militia"). He is listed as a straggler from his date of conscription through February 19, 1863, but honorably discharged with his company August 12, 1863.
2. At the again stated age of twenty-five, he either enlisted as a substitute or was federally drafted - both are reported -, mustered into federal service at Chambersburg February 22, 1865, but deserted to date June 25, 1865, a charge the War Department rescinded on April 13, 1892, with a discharge date effective as of the day of his desertion.

Per his obituary in the People's Register, he served "over three years during the Civil War" with the implication that was all with the 158th Pennsylvania, an assertion that is demonstrably false.

It is alleged he married Susan Mowen ca. 1865, but nothing more is known about her, if the claim is accurate. He married Mary Alice Bakner March 1, 1870, in Greencastle, Franklin County, and fathered Calvin Alexander (b. 02/05/72), Harry J. (b. 09/30/75, d. 04/01/87), Ann Rebecca (b. 02/01/77), John Abram (b. 03/28/81), Catherine A. (b. 10/09/83), Clara Mae (b. 12/16/86 - married Ira Grumbine). On November 12, 1890, he applied for a disability pension using both "Provard" and "Proward" and received it. Cause of his death is listed as "asthma complicated with diabetes mellitus."

On March 25, 1908, Alice applied for a widow's pension and received it.