Josiah Osborne Beard - In the death of Josiah Osborne Beard at his home in Greenbank, West Virginia, on January 28, 1924 Pocahontas County and this section of the State lost one of its substantial and influential citizens. he was born at Lewisburg, West Virginia, April 29, 1847 and thus at his death was 76 years, 8 months, and 29 days of age. Surviving him are his wife, Eveline Yeager Beard, daughter of the late John Yeager and seven children, Irb, Leslie, and Monroe of Arbovale, Sheriff Brown B. Beard of Bartow, Mrs. W. N. Snedegar, and Mrs. Don Harper of Elkins and Mrs. W. A. Arbogast of Morgantown, also one sister, Mrs. Elizabeth Burner of Durbin and one half-sister, Mrs. Virginia Chapman of Richwood. Six children preceded him to the grave, Blanche, Fannie Cleveland, Arthur Joe, Quade, Mrs. Bertie Clark and Mrs. Ruby Evelyn Kerr. There are thirty-three grandchildren and two great grandchildren. Mr. Beard has been in failing health for some weeks. Everything that medical skill and careful nursing could render was given but he gradually grew weaker. The funeral service was conducted at the home on Wednesday, January 30 at ten o'clock by his pastor, Rev. L. S. Shires assisted by Rev. M. D. Monroe, after which he was lain to reset in the Arbovale cemetery. The large crowd in attendance at his funeral regardless of the very severe weather was an evidence of the high esteem to which he was held by the citizens of the county. When only sixteen years of age Mr. Beard volunteered for service in the Confederate army and served his country faithfully until the close of the war as a member of Company D Fourteenth Virginia Cavalry. As the opening of the campaign of 1864 the Fourteenth was in Greenbrier and Monroe counties. They were ordered to Staunton to join the forces trying to outflank or delay Hunger on his march to Lynchburg. General John McCausland, now living in Mason county was in command of the Brigade of Cavalry of which the Fourteenth was a part. They did good service in the task assigned them. The regiment saw its hardest service in the Valley Campaign of that year under Early. After beating Hunter at Lynchburg and pursuing him as far a s Salem, Early set out down the Valley to threaten Washington. They cross the Potomac and defeated General Lew Wallace Monocacy. For a while this took quite a severe battle. The Fourteenth took an active part in the ?? a number of its men. they ??? on, got in front of Washington and had to retire when their ?? forts and breastworks occupied ?? Wright's corps from Granin?? front of Richmond. The ?? was with McCuasland with ?? Chambersburg ??

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