Beardshear did not graduate with a Bachelor of Arts from the university until June 1876 due to him having to manage the family farm after his father died of an illness.

[1] Beardshear became a United Brethren pastor in Arcanum and Dayton, Ohio in 1876, later being educated at Yale Divinity School in 1878.

During his time at Yale, Beardshear felt overworked and took a break at his family farm near Dayton.

He became a pastor at the Summit Street Church of the United Brethren in Dayton, leading to him being asked to become the President of Western College in Toledo, Iowa, in 1881.

[1] After serving as Western College President for eight years, Beardshear was hired as Superintendent of West Des Moines, Iowa schools.