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 5o BEARD. BELCHER. He was married to Eliza A. Follansbee, in Boston, January i, 1873, who died August 16, 1888, and had one child, Her- bert N. Beals, who died in its sixth year. Mr. Beals has sought no public nor polit- ical office, but has been one of the auditors of the town for twelve years, which office he now holds, and is also one of the trus- tees (elected by the town) of the public library. He takes great interest in public affairs, and is strongly identified with everything that pertains to the welfare and prosperity of Braintree, and is considered as one of the leading young men of that vicinity. BEARD, Alanson Wilder, son of James and Chloe Bartlett (Wilder) Beard, was born in Ludlow, Windsor county, Vt., August 20, 1825. His parents removed to Stockbridge, in 1835, where he was bred to a farmer's life. His educational train- ing was obtained in the public schools and at home. From seventeen to twenty-one years of age he taught public and private schools. He began business life as proprietor of a country store at Pittsfield, Vt., in the spring of 1847 ; sold out his interest in April, 1853 ; removed to Boston and en- tered into the wholesale clothing business in September. of the latter year, as sales- man for Whiting, Kehoe & Galloupe. Leaving them, he commenced a business on his own account in the spring of 1856, and continued in wholesale clothing till 1879. He is now interested in the clothing business, with stores in Lowell, Lawrence and other places. Mr. Beard was married in Wayland, November 27, 1848, to Mary Calista, daughter of Harvey and Sophia (Roberts) Morgan. Of this union were three children : James Wallace (deceased), Amherst Wilder (deceased), and Charles Freeland Beard. Mr. Beard has been a greater portion of the time since 1X47 in public life. He held various town offices in Pittsfield, Vt., from 1847 to 1853 ; was postmaster from 1S4S to 1S54 ; member of Republican state central committee of Massachusetts, 1864, '65, '66, '83 and '84 ; chairman, 1875 and '76, and again in 1S85 ; member of House of Representatives from Brookline in 1S70 and '71, and from Boston in 1884 and '85 ; chairman of committee on mercantile affairs, 1870 ; of prisons, 1871 ; taxation, 1884, and of finance, 1S85. He was a member of the finance committee all the years while a member of the House. Mr. Heard is identified with the law passed in 1881 exempting real estate mort- gage notes from taxation, having com- menced the agitation in the Legislature of 187 1, and followed it up with successive Legislatures. He was delegate to the national Repub- lican convention in Chicago, in 1S68, also in 1 888 ; member of the committee on plat- form, and one of the sub-committee to draft the same, in 1888. He was collector of the port of Boston four years, having been appointed in 187S. He was state treasurer of the Commonwealth, 1886, '87 and '88, when he declined the re-nomina- tion to the office. Mr. Beard has been a staunch Republican since the formation of the party. As a party leader, he is wise in counsel, original in conception, shrewd in management, and fearless in execution of those plans which he believes will result in prosperity to the city, the state and the nation. BELCHER, ORLANDO F., son of Wil- liam B. and Esther (i. (Fuller) Belcher, was born in North Chelsea, Suffolk county, October 15, 1844. His education during ORLANDO F. BELCHER. his early years was limited to the common schools of his native place. He began business life as a manufacturer of boot-heels. His genius took a mechani- cal turn, and he soon became the patentee and manufacturer of the Belcher automatic