John W. Agard

John W. Agard was born in Odessa, Schuyler county, New York. He was educated at Cazenovia, New York. March 1, 1834, he and Martha P., a daughter of General Thomas, were married at Kingston, Luzerne county, Pa. In 1836 he resolved to make his home in Illinois. He arrived in Wyoming September 25 of that year, and though he lived in other places since he always looked upon Wyoming as his home. From 1836 until 1845 he followed farming as a business, occasionally working as a carpenter, In 1845 he applied to the M. E. Pock River Conference for a preacher's license. He took an active part in the work of the conference, and was for several years one of the leading presiding elders. He returned to Wyoming, there to devote himself more fully to the care of his sick wife, completing this duty with her death September 21, 1870. Mr. Agard then considered it his duty to give his time and attention to the care of his wife's father, the aged General Thomas. A few months after General Thomas' death, which occurred July 7, 1879, Mr. Agard removed to Chicago, where he resided until his death, October 11, 1881.