From the 1885 History of Steuben County, page 667:

William H. Beard was born in Huron County, Ohio, Oct. 15, 1840, a son of Elijah and Lucy (Horn) Beard.  When he was ten years old his parents moved to Steuben County, Ind., and here he was reared and educated.  In the summer of 1861 he enlisted in Company D, Forty-fourth Indiana Infantry.  He participated in the engagements at Fort Donelson, Fort Henry, Shiloh, Corinth, Battle Creek, Buell's march to Nashville, Louisville, Perryville, Cedar Springs, Ringgold, Stone River, Murfreesboro, Chickamauga, Mission Ridge and many others.  While at Chattanooga his time expired; but he immediately re-enlisted in the same company and served till the close of the war.  He was discharged at Nashville and mustered out at Indianapolis.  He was wounded twice at Shiloh, in the neck and in the shoulder.  After his return from the war he settled in Angola, where he has since resided.  He was married in 1866 to Almeda Chandler.  They have one child.  Mr. Beard is a member of hte Grand Army of the Republic, an organization he takes much interest in.