Josias Crocker Beare was born in Newton Abbot, Devon, England on 10 January 1881. He was articled to Watson & Watson in Torquay, Devon from 1896 to 1900 and remained as their assistant until 1902. He then worked as an assistant to the Borough Surveyor of Burton-on-Trent in 1902-03; to Rowland Plumbe (1838-1919) in 1903 -04; and to T. H. Andrew in 1904-05, following which he returned to Watson & Watson as an assistant from 1905 to 1908. He commenced independent practise as an architect in Newton Abbot in 1908 and passed his qualifying exam in in 1910. He was elected an Associate of the Royal Institute of British Architects (ARIBA) later that year.
In addition to his work as an architect Beare was also a watercolour painter. He exhibited at the Royal Academy and Walker's Gallery in London; the Royal Cambrian Academy in Conwy, Wales; and at the Walker Art Gallery in Liverpool. He was elected an associate member of the Royal Cambrian Academy in 1924 and a full member of the Royal Cambrian Academy in 1942
His address was given as 30 Queen St, Newton Abbot, Devon in 1881; 42 Devon Square, Newton Abbot, Devon in 1910 and 1939; Stanmore, Newton Abbot, Devon in 1901 and 1910; 7 Courtenay Park, Newton Abbot, Devon in 1911; 1 Mount Pleasant Road, Newton Abbot, Devon in 1926; and Culver Lodge, Mount Pleasant Road, Newton Abbott, Devon in 1962. He died in Newton Abbot on 13 April 1962
Congregational Church, Newton Abbot (new spire), 1908; house at Postbridge, Dartmoor, 1909; Dcnbury Manor, (additions), 1911-14; house at Prawle Point, S. Devon, 1913-14; extensions to the Newton Abbot Hospital, 1912-13, 1919-20; St. Paul's Church, Preston, Paignton, 1912; Houses at Paignton, 1912-13, 1920-21, and 1922; Mid-Devon Liberal Club. Newton Abbot, 1913-14; Newton Abbot U.D.C. Housing Scheme, 1919-22: Newton Abbot Race-Course (reconstruction of grand stand, etc.), 1919-22; War Memorial at Moretonhampstead, 1920-21; reconstruction of and additions to tanneries, Newton Abbot (after demolition by fire), 1921-22.
Directory of British Architects 1834-1914. Compiled by Antonia Brodie, et al. Volume 1: A-K. London; New York: British Architectural Library, Royal Institute of British Architects/Continuum, 2001