Robert Beird was born in 1866 in Owen Sound, Canada. His parents were David and Margaret Owen Beird. His brothers, Alfred, John J., and Thomas Beird lived in Lakefield Township.
In 1896, Robert owned a forty acre farm in Section 14 on the corner of Lakefield and Chapin Roads. Directly across the road lived his brother John Beird. His brother, Thomas Beird, lived across the road and to the south bordering his brother John Beird property.
SOURCES: 1896 Lakefield Township Plat Map