M., a Universalist minister, was born in Wayne County, N. C., Sept. 5, 1822. He was reared under Methodist influence; was educated at Falling Creek Academy, with the Methodist ministry in view; embraced Universalism in 1848; moved to Union County, Ill.; spent some time in school-teaching; and in 1865 entered the Universalist ministry, wherein he labored until his death, Dec. 10, 1871. Mr. Beard possessed an unsullied character, and lived to do good. See Universalist Register, 1873, p. 119.