The Democratic banner. (Mt. Vernon, Ohio) 1898-192?, 1916-09-22
Relative Local People Re-
ceives Full Need Of
Praise
CLERGYMAN 40 YEARS
Ten Years Of Which Have Been Spent
In Fargo-Resided In Morrow Co.
But interests Were In Knox
Left This Section Of State
Nearly Half Century Ago

Although absent from this section OF
Ohio for little more than forty years
with but occasional visits with Tela-
tives in Knox and Morrow counties,
Rev. Reuben A. Beard will be Temem-
bered by many of the older residents
OF Knox county and many people will
be interested in learning something of
the life and work of one of our neigh
bors since he left Ohio.
Rev. Beard was former resident of
Sparta in Morrow county but his ac-
uuaintance with Knox county people
was wider than with those of his ma
tive county. He is a first cousin OF
D. ID. Heron of this city. He was mar
red when quite a young man to Miss
Lucinda Barton, a sister to Mrs. Park
b. Blair, Mrs. William Tarr and AL
fred Barton of Knox county. His wife
died few years after their marriage
and Mr.. Beard left Ohio for the west
ern states where he later remarked
and entered the ministry.
For many years he has been located
at Fargo, North Dakota.
Concerning this remarkable man
and the work in which he has been en-
gagged in Fargo the Daily Courier-News
Of that city recently published the fol-
lowing editorial under the caption "a
Notable Pastorate:"
The Rev. r. A. Beard, d. D., on Sun
day last delivered an anniversary SER
mon, celebrating the tenth year of his
present pastorate in Fargo, and the
fortieth of his ministry. The doctor
spent other five years in the pastorate
of the First Congregational church, in
the eighties, and three years as presi-
dent of Fargo college This makes a
total of Is years which he has given to
! the service of the public in this state.
Now in the strength Of sound body,
a cultured mind, and with the accumu-
lated wisdom gained by years Of ex-
| perience the doctor is one of the most
valued of North Dakota's citizens.
lie and his church are to be congrat-
ulated upon this anniversary. 1t shows
that neither party to the compact is as
restless as is usually the case in &C.
clesiastlcal circles. This is the long
est pastorate known of in the state
among the English speaking Protest
ant churches-and naturally results In
DR. Boards personality being felt
through the entire common wealth.
His eye is not dim, nor his natural
force abated" and the product of his
brain and character steadily brought
to bear upon the public, shows that
his mentality is more vigorous, his
powers stronger than ever before.
DR.. Beard is a student and a think
er.. Modern thought has no terrors
for him, and he recognizes Christiani
ty as a progressive revelation. The
maturity Of his powers enables him to
avoid the tangles into which young
ministers frequently fall theologically
and administratively. The bright, or
iginal epigrams and clear reasoning OF
the doctors sermons mark him as one
of the strong preachers of the north
west a fact recognized by those who
think enough to estimate sermons al
their worth.
The doctor stated that during his
ministry he has received 756 people in
to the church, and some idea of anoth
er line of clerical service may be gain
ed from the fact that he has conducted
1900 funerals.
While congratulating church and
minister we express the wish of thous
ands of citizens that the doctor may
continue his ministry among us for the
many years which his strong body and
remarkable mind seem to indicate, and
promise him that after awhile, when II
is appropriate, we will call him the
Grand Old Man" of North Dakota!