Daughter of James Bristow and Jane Arnold. Married to William Beard.

Was a dressmaker and seamstress. Making most of the dresses and clothes for her family. Oral history past down, she make quilts and a special quilt with a large 4 pointed star, for all grand-daughters named Mary, after her.

They were blessed with 16 children. Two infant sons and two infant daughters precedes him: George (b.&d.1851), James (b.&d.1864), Susannah (b.&d.1865) and Ada May (b.&d.1873).

Obit:
Mary Bristow was born in London, England, March 1st 1830, died Oct. 21, 1899 aged 69 years, 7 months and 20 days. She took passage on the sailing vessel, Washington, from London to New Orleans in 1845, the voyage occupying 7 weeks and 3 days. From New Orleans she went by steamboat to St. Louis, Mo., where she was united in marriage to William Beard in 1847. They came to Iowa in 1849 and settled on a farm in Cedar township Lee County where they lived until they removed to Bonaparte January 1891. Her husband died Aug. 22nd 1893. She was christened in the Church of England and was educated in the belief of that church. She was a member of that church until about 1860, when she united with the Christian church at Big Mound. She was a faithful and earnest christian during her whole life. She leaves to mourn her loss, six sons, six daughters, thirty-three grand children, six great-grand-children and a large circle of friends. She possessed in an eminent degree the sweet grace of kindness and charity. She was fully prepared for the coming of the Savior whom she had so long loved and served. Funeral services were held in the Presbyterian church Monday afternoon Oct. 23, by Rev. W. H. Scotfield assisted by Rev. E. J. Smith. They were largely attended by the people of Bonaparte and of the neighborhood where she formerly had resided and was so highly esteemed.

poem on the stone:

There is No Death

There is no death! The stars go down.
To rise upon some further shores,
And bright in heaven's jewelled crown
They shine forever more.

And ever near us, though unseen,
The dear immortal spirits tread;
For all the boundless universe
Is Life - there is no dead.
-John Luckey McCreery.
-1835-1906