HEARD, JOHN SPENCER
The fundamental, underlying principles of success in any undertaking may be said to be simple honesty, ruggedness of character, frugality and assiduous application to hard work. By frugality is meant living within one's income and saving in a systematic manner. Many of the successful capitalists of Texas started their careers with only the foregoing characteristics as their capital. There is no reason just because a young man is drawing a good salary that he should spend all of it. Saving is not a habit; it is the development of one of the most important qualifications a man can possess in the race for success. Among the men of Collin County whose careers have started in comparative obscurity, and who have risen to high places because of their appreciation and observance of the above-named characteristics, John Spencer Heard, banker and capitalist of McKinney, holds prominent place. He was born near Fayetteville, Washington County, Arkansas, July 8, 1841, and is a son of Charles C. and Henrietta D. (Allen) Heard, the former a native of Georgia and the latter of Arkansas.
Mr. Heard's early education was secured in private schools in Arkansas, following which he took a course in the College of Boonesburg, that state, and the Van Buren College. His first business experience was in mercantile lines, with his father, and he was so engaged at the time of the outbreak of the war between the South and the North, at which time he joined the Frontier Guard, organized at Van Buren prior to the war. When the army was reorganized, after the battle of Oak Hill, Missouri, Mr. Heard's company was transferred to the Confederate troops represented by the State service, joining the Twenty-second Regiment, Arkansas Infantry, commanded by Colonel Rector, subsequently participating in numerous battles, and finally being captured at the battle of Helena, Arkansas. Soon thereafter he was exchanged, and continued in the service of the Gray until General Lee's surrender marked the fall of the "Lost Cause.'' At the close of his military service, Mr. Heard resumed mercantile pursuits, and continued to be engaged therein for many years, gradually dr ifting into banking. At this time he has large interests in various thriving enterprises, both of a business and financial nature, and is accounted one of his community's most substantial men. In political matters he has always been a Democrat. He is a Royal Arch Mason, and has filled all the chairs in his order up to that of eminent commander, and also holds membership in the Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks. His religious connection is with the Southern Presbyterian church, in which he has served in the capacity of elder for upwards of twenty years.
On December 31, 1884, Mr. Heard was married at Collinsville, Texas, to Miss Rachel Wilson, daughter of W. H. Wilson, who came to the Lone Star State from Mississippi and settled in Grayson County at an early day. In his native state he had for a number of years been a slaveholder prior to the outbreak of the Civil war, in which he fought as a soldier of the Confederacy. Upon coming to Texas he engaged in farming and stock raising, and died on his ranch in 1888, his wife passing away in 1909. Mr. and Mrs. Heard have had five children, of whom three survive: Miss Bessie, aged twenty-five years, living with her parents; Miss Nina, who married K. Q. Astin, of Bryan, Texas, a prominent planter; and Miss Laura, aged eighteen years, who is through school and is making her home with her parents.
Mr. Heard is of Scotch-Irish descent, the family having been founded by three brothers who came to America at a very early day from Scotland. One of these settled in Georgia and became the great-grandfather of Mr. Heard. A loyal American, proud of his country and his locality, Mr. Heard is not bigoted, but is always willing to give credit to other countries for their possessions and attractions.
He has traveled extensively all over the United States with his family, thus enjoying recreation and rest from the cares of his extensive business interests, and his children traveled abroad. He maintains offices in the Heard Building, on the west side of the Public Square, while his beautiful residence is situated at No. 128 West Virginia Street. (History of Texas and Texans, Volume 3, Francis White Johnson,1914 sd)
The fundamental, underlying principles of success in any undertaking may be said to be simple honesty, ruggedness of character, frugality and assiduous application to hard work. By frugality is meant living within one's income and saving in a systematic manner. Many of the successful capitalists of Texas started their careers with only the foregoing characteristics as their capital. There is no reason just because a young man is drawing a good salary that he should spend all of it. Saving is not a habit; it is the development of one of the most important qualifications a man can possess in the race for success. Among the men of Collin County whose careers have started in comparative obscurity, and who have risen to high places because of their appreciation and observance of the above-named characteristics, John Spencer Heard, banker and capitalist of McKinney, holds prominent place. He was born near Fayetteville, Washington County, Arkansas, July 8, 1841, and is a son of Charles C. and Henrietta D. (Allen) Heard, the former a native of Georgia and the latter of Arkansas.
Mr. Heard's early education was secured in private schools in Arkansas, following which he took a course in the College of Boonesburg, that state, and the Van Buren College. His first business experience was in mercantile lines, with his father, and he was so engaged at the time of the outbreak of the war between the South and the North, at which time he joined the Frontier Guard, organized at Van Buren prior to the war. When the army was reorganized, after the battle of Oak Hill, Missouri, Mr. Heard's company was transferred to the Confederate troops represented by the State service, joining the Twenty-second Regiment, Arkansas Infantry, commanded by Colonel Rector, subsequently participating in numerous battles, and finally being captured at the battle of Helena, Arkansas. Soon thereafter he was exchanged, and continued in the service of the Gray until General Lee's surrender marked the fall of the "Lost Cause.'' At the close of his military service, Mr. Heard resumed mercantile pursuits, and continued to be engaged therein for many years, gradually dr ifting into banking. At this time he has large interests in various thriving enterprises, both of a business and financial nature, and is accounted one of his community's most substantial men. In political matters he has always been a Democrat. He is a Royal Arch Mason, and has filled all the chairs in his order up to that of eminent commander, and also holds membership in the Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks. His religious connection is with the Southern Presbyterian church, in which he has served in the capacity of elder for upwards of twenty years.
On December 31, 1884, Mr. Heard was married at Collinsville, Texas, to Miss Rachel Wilson, daughter of W. H. Wilson, who came to the Lone Star State from Mississippi and settled in Grayson County at an early day. In his native state he had for a number of years been a slaveholder prior to the outbreak of the Civil war, in which he fought as a soldier of the Confederacy. Upon coming to Texas he engaged in farming and stock raising, and died on his ranch in 1888, his wife passing away in 1909. Mr. and Mrs. Heard have had five children, of whom three survive: Miss Bessie, aged twenty-five years, living with her parents; Miss Nina, who married K. Q. Astin, of Bryan, Texas, a prominent planter; and Miss Laura, aged eighteen years, who is through school and is making her home with her parents.
Mr. Heard is of Scotch-Irish descent, the family having been founded by three brothers who came to America at a very early day from Scotland. One of these settled in Georgia and became the great-grandfather of Mr. Heard. A loyal American, proud of his country and his locality, Mr. Heard is not bigoted, but is always willing to give credit to other countries for their possessions and attractions.
He has traveled extensively all over the United States with his family, thus enjoying recreation and rest from the cares of his extensive business interests, and his children traveled abroad. He maintains offices in the Heard Building, on the west side of the Public Square, while his beautiful residence is situated at No. 128 West Virginia Street. (History of Texas and Texans, Volume 3, Francis White Johnson,1914 sd)
HEARD, JOHN SPENCER
The fundamental, underlying principles of success in any undertaking may be said to be simple honesty, ruggedness of character, frugality and assiduous application to hard work. By frugality is meant living within one's income and saving in a systematic manner. Many of the successful capitalists of Texas started their careers with only the foregoing characteristics as their capital. There is no reason just because a young man is drawing a good salary that he should spend all of it. Saving is not a habit; it is the development of one of the most important qualifications a man can possess in the race for success. Among the men of Collin County whose careers have started in comparative obscurity, and who have risen to high places because of their appreciation and observance of the above-named characteristics, John Spencer Heard, banker and capitalist of McKinney, holds prominent place. He was born near Fayetteville, Washington County, Arkansas, July 8, 1841, and is a son of Charles C. and Henrietta D. (Allen) Heard, the former a native of Georgia and the latter of Arkansas.
Mr. Heard's early education was secured in private schools in Arkansas, following which he took a course in the College of Boonesburg, that state, and the Van Buren College. His first business experience was in mercantile lines, with his father, and he was so engaged at the time of the outbreak of the war between the South and the North, at which time he joined the Frontier Guard, organized at Van Buren prior to the war. When the army was reorganized, after the battle of Oak Hill, Missouri, Mr. Heard's company was transferred to the Confederate troops represented by the State service, joining the Twenty-second Regiment, Arkansas Infantry, commanded by Colonel Rector, subsequently participating in numerous battles, and finally being captured at the battle of Helena, Arkansas. Soon thereafter he was exchanged, and continued in the service of the Gray until General Lee's surrender marked the fall of the "Lost Cause.'' At the close of his military service, Mr. Heard resumed mercantile pursuits, and continued to be engaged therein for many years, gradually dr ifting into banking. At this time he has large interests in various thriving enterprises, both of a business and financial nature, and is accounted one of his community's most substantial men. In political matters he has always been a Democrat. He is a Royal Arch Mason, and has filled all the chairs in his order up to that of eminent commander, and also holds membership in the Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks. His religious connection is with the Southern Presbyterian church, in which he has served in the capacity of elder for upwards of twenty years.
On December 31, 1884, Mr. Heard was married at Collinsville, Texas, to Miss Rachel Wilson, daughter of W. H. Wilson, who came to the Lone Star State from Mississippi and settled in Grayson County at an early day. In his native state he had for a number of years been a slaveholder prior to the outbreak of the Civil war, in which he fought as a soldier of the Confederacy. Upon coming to Texas he engaged in farming and stock raising, and died on his ranch in 1888, his wife passing away in 1909. Mr. and Mrs. Heard have had five children, of whom three survive: Miss Bessie, aged twenty-five years, living with her parents; Miss Nina, who married K. Q. Astin, of Bryan, Texas, a prominent planter; and Miss Laura, aged eighteen years, who is through school and is making her home with her parents.
Mr. Heard is of Scotch-Irish descent, the family having been founded by three brothers who came to America at a very early day from Scotland. One of these settled in Georgia and became the great-grandfather of Mr. Heard. A loyal American, proud of his country and his locality, Mr. Heard is not bigoted, but is always willing to give credit to other countries for their possessions and attractions.
He has traveled extensively all over the United States with his family, thus enjoying recreation and rest from the cares of his extensive business interests, and his children traveled abroad. He maintains offices in the Heard Building, on the west side of the Public Square, while his beautiful residence is situated at No. 128 West Virginia Street. (History of Texas and Texans, Volume 3, Francis White Johnson,1914 sd)
The fundamental, underlying principles of success in any undertaking may be said to be simple honesty, ruggedness of character, frugality and assiduous application to hard work. By frugality is meant living within one's income and saving in a systematic manner. Many of the successful capitalists of Texas started their careers with only the foregoing characteristics as their capital. There is no reason just because a young man is drawing a good salary that he should spend all of it. Saving is not a habit; it is the development of one of the most important qualifications a man can possess in the race for success. Among the men of Collin County whose careers have started in comparative obscurity, and who have risen to high places because of their appreciation and observance of the above-named characteristics, John Spencer Heard, banker and capitalist of McKinney, holds prominent place. He was born near Fayetteville, Washington County, Arkansas, July 8, 1841, and is a son of Charles C. and Henrietta D. (Allen) Heard, the former a native of Georgia and the latter of Arkansas.
Mr. Heard's early education was secured in private schools in Arkansas, following which he took a course in the College of Boonesburg, that state, and the Van Buren College. His first business experience was in mercantile lines, with his father, and he was so engaged at the time of the outbreak of the war between the South and the North, at which time he joined the Frontier Guard, organized at Van Buren prior to the war. When the army was reorganized, after the battle of Oak Hill, Missouri, Mr. Heard's company was transferred to the Confederate troops represented by the State service, joining the Twenty-second Regiment, Arkansas Infantry, commanded by Colonel Rector, subsequently participating in numerous battles, and finally being captured at the battle of Helena, Arkansas. Soon thereafter he was exchanged, and continued in the service of the Gray until General Lee's surrender marked the fall of the "Lost Cause.'' At the close of his military service, Mr. Heard resumed mercantile pursuits, and continued to be engaged therein for many years, gradually dr ifting into banking. At this time he has large interests in various thriving enterprises, both of a business and financial nature, and is accounted one of his community's most substantial men. In political matters he has always been a Democrat. He is a Royal Arch Mason, and has filled all the chairs in his order up to that of eminent commander, and also holds membership in the Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks. His religious connection is with the Southern Presbyterian church, in which he has served in the capacity of elder for upwards of twenty years.
On December 31, 1884, Mr. Heard was married at Collinsville, Texas, to Miss Rachel Wilson, daughter of W. H. Wilson, who came to the Lone Star State from Mississippi and settled in Grayson County at an early day. In his native state he had for a number of years been a slaveholder prior to the outbreak of the Civil war, in which he fought as a soldier of the Confederacy. Upon coming to Texas he engaged in farming and stock raising, and died on his ranch in 1888, his wife passing away in 1909. Mr. and Mrs. Heard have had five children, of whom three survive: Miss Bessie, aged twenty-five years, living with her parents; Miss Nina, who married K. Q. Astin, of Bryan, Texas, a prominent planter; and Miss Laura, aged eighteen years, who is through school and is making her home with her parents.
Mr. Heard is of Scotch-Irish descent, the family having been founded by three brothers who came to America at a very early day from Scotland. One of these settled in Georgia and became the great-grandfather of Mr. Heard. A loyal American, proud of his country and his locality, Mr. Heard is not bigoted, but is always willing to give credit to other countries for their possessions and attractions.
He has traveled extensively all over the United States with his family, thus enjoying recreation and rest from the cares of his extensive business interests, and his children traveled abroad. He maintains offices in the Heard Building, on the west side of the Public Square, while his beautiful residence is situated at No. 128 West Virginia Street. (History of Texas and Texans, Volume 3, Francis White Johnson,1914 sd)
Inscription
JOHN SPENCER HEARD
CO G 35 ARK INF
CONFEDERATE STATES ARMY
1841 + 1933
Gravesite Details
Enlisted at Van Buren Arkansas and was wounded out of the war of 1861-65 during the battle of Pea Ridge. (Lost his right foot)
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