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Famous Residents
Thomas Beard was born in Granville, New York, in 1794 and his family moved to Western Reserve, Ohio, in 1800. When Beard turned 21, he set out in search of a better place that could provide more opportunities for him. Four years later, Beard and General McConnell traveled from Edwardsville, Illinois, to what is now known as Beardstown. Located on the Illinois River, this area appeared to be what Beard had been searching for. In 1829, Beard incorporated 21 city blocks as Beardstown. In the Fall of 1849, Beard, at the age 55, died of typhoid fever. Beard worked hard to build his namesake and when he died, Beardstown was a booming, prosperous community.
Andrew C. McLaughlin was born in Beardstown in 1861. He spent his life studying and teaching constitutional history and became a noted authority and author on the subject. In 1936, McLaughlin won a Pulitzer Prize for his book, “Constitutional History of the United States”. McLaughlin died in 1947.
Fifteen women invested $100 each in 1983 to start the famous Beardstown Ladies’ Investment Club. Although they will always be remembered for their accounting errors from 1983 to 1993 that boasted a 23.4% return instead of the more accurate 9.1% return, the ladies can be credited with popularizing investment clubs in the United States. They are internationally known for their best-selling books, TV show appearances, and speaking engagements. They’ve penned five books and have a video, all of which are available with autographs, at the Beardstown Chamber of Commerce. Four times a year the ladies open their club meetings to include the public.