William Henry Harrison Heard

William H. Heard was born a slave in Elbert County, GA. His mother, Pathenia Galloway, was a farm hand and she died during the typhoid fever epidemic.  His father, also a slave, lived on another planation 3 miles away and was a blacksmith.  He lived close enough that he was able to visit his mother once or twice a week. William Heard ran away from his master to freedom. He recounts, in his autobiography, that he attended Sunday School and committed much of what he was taught to memory.  After 1865 he was hired by a William Henry Heard a farmer, and the person from whom he received his name.  Bishop Heard learned to read and write from the farmer.  Later, he was able to teach in public school.  He won a scholarship to attend the University of South Carolina but was unable to complete his education.  He received a BA from Atlanta University. He was licensed to preach in 1879; was ordained a Deacon in 1881. He married his second wife, Josephine Delphine Henderson, in 1882. In August of 1888, he moved to Philadelphia and entered the Reformed Episcopal Seminary.  He has honorary of Doctor degrees from Allen U. Wilberforce, and Campbell College.

He was elected Bishop in 1908.  He served in the 1^st, 3^rd and 8th Districts.