Biographical Sketch of William J. Bear, Lafayette County, Missouri

>From "History of Lafayette County, Mo., carefully written and compiled
from the most authentic official and private sources" St. Louis, Mo.
Historical Company, 1881.
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William J. Bear, P. O. Lexington, Missouri, son of John and Elizabeth 
Bear, was born in Rockingham county, Virginia, March 5, 1821, and having
come to this county as early as 1844, may be counted as one of the old
settlers.  Having been raised on a farm, on coming to this county he 
engaged in farming.  His father was early disabled by rheumatism, and he
with his younger brother took charge of the farm.  His father died in 
1870.  The two brothers have bought out most of the heirs, and they both
reside on the original farm, nine miles southeast of Lexington.  In 1861,
after the battle of Lexington he went south with Gen. Price, and was
enrolled in Company B, 6th regiment Missouri volunteers, C. S. A., and
served in the west until the winter of 1863, when he was discharged.  He
was in the battles of Lexington, Pea Ridge, and a number of lesser note.
He then went to Virginia, and enlisted in a company of exchanged prison-
ers, mostly Missourians, in 62nd Virginia regiment of mounted infantry.
In the battle of New Market, his company was cut to pieces, and the 
fragments joined a company of independent rangers, and served to the end
of the war.  He then returned to his home in this county.  January 6, 
1871 he was married to Miss Elizabeth Rice, daughter of Augustus Rice, a
native of Virginia, now deceased.  They have only one child living:
William.  He is a member of the Presbyterian church.

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