BEARD, ROBERT LEE, a resident of Arenzville, Cass County, Ill., is a well known, enterprising and prosperous farmer and stockraiser, whose finely equipped and well-improved farm of 204 acres is situated in township 17, range 11, Cass County. He is a native of the township which is his present home, and was born September 25, 1865, a son of John C. and Mary Ann (Batis) Beard, of Augusta County, Va. There his parents grew up and were married, and in the fall of 1855 moved to Illinois. They bought a farm, mostly timber land, which from time to time John C. Beard increased in extent until he owned 360 acres at the period of his death, which was ell improved by his labor. He was a useful and public spirited citizen, and had held several local offices. He died in 1881, and his widow passed away in January, 1902, at the age of seventy-six years. Of the thirteen children of their union, those now living are as follows: Margaret, who is Mrs. T. B. Fozzard, of Morgan County, Ill.; Fannie, who is Mrs. J. D. Springer of Cass County, Ill.; Elizabeth, who lives at Arenzville, Ill.; Henry C., who is a resident of Sour Lake, Tex.; William W., who is of Virginia, Ill.; and Robert L. and Amanda J., now Mrs. Joseph P. Dreesbach, are of Arenzville.

Robert Lee Beard attended the district schools in his youth, and has always lived on the home farm. On October 22, 1896, he was united in marriage with Lena E. Kircher, born in Cass County, Ill., July 21, 1872, a daughter of John and Elizabeth (Rahn) Kircher, natives of Germany. After their marriage Mrs. Mary Ann Beard moved to Arenzville, but Robert L. Beard continued to reside on the home place and after his mother's death purchased the 204 acres belonging to the other heirs. He has done general farming and has raised cattle and hogs. Mr. Beard and his wife have the following children: John Russell, Robert Raymond, Mildred Elizabeth, Mary Mae, Robert Lee, Roland Glenn, John Richard and Lena Lucille.

Mr. Beard is a thrifty farmer, a man of sound judgment, and a useful member of the community. In politics, he is a Democrat. He has served the public as school director since 1907.