John J. Beedy 1845-1922

BEEDY, DEFOREST, SHEPHERD, MASON, ABEL, BAYLESS, BURDICK, WELSH

Posted By: S. Ferrall - IAGenWeb volunteer
Date: 5/10/2012 at 18:00:00

John J. Beedy was born in Malone, N.Y., in June 1845, and died at Postville, Iowa, Wednesday, October 18 1922, aged 77 years and four months, his death being due to an unavoidable automobile accident.

With his parents he came in the late 50's to the then prosperous village of Hardin, Iowa, where he was resident at the outbreak of the Civil War, and although but sixteen years of age at that time, the true spirit of patriotism within his breast caused him to offer his services to his country, and he enlisted as a drummer boy in the 27th Iowa Vol. Infantry, and served until the close of the war, when he was honorably discharged from the service. The regiment to which he was attached was in a number of the major conflicts of that great struggle and endured many hardships and privations, one account citing an instance where they wrapped themselves in their blankets and lay down in an open field to sleep in a storm of snow and sleet.

In earlier life he was a very prominent man in public work, holding the office of postmaster at Hardin for three years, was constable at Postville for three years, and for four years was assistant bookkeeper under State Auditor James J. Lyons at Des Moines.

He entered the Soldiers Home at Marshalltown from Postville, June 12, 1894. During the year 1914 he held the position of Post Commander of Sheridan Post at the Home, and at the time of his death he was Senior Vice of the Iowa Division of the National Civil War Musicians and was also Drum Major of the Iowa Division.

He was married to Mrs. Carrie DeForest, Nov. 1, 1912. He leaves to mourn his loss his widow, Mrs. Carrie Beedy; a stepson John D. DeForest of Kansas City, Kansas; three sisters - Mrs. William Shepherd of Postville, Iowa; Mrs. Anna Mason of Luana, Iowa; and Mrs. Cora Abel of Pasadena, Calif.; and three neices - Mrs. Addie Bayless of McGregor, Iowa; Mrs. William Burdick and son Lee of St. Paul, Minn.; and Mr. and Mrs. Welsh of Cedar Falls, Iowa; and many other relatives who were unable to attend.

John J. Beedy was a kindly, genial gentleman, who made friends of every acquaintance; he was a good citizen, neighbor, friend and patriot, and all who knew him will mourn his passing and sympathize with those bereft.

The remains were taken to Marshalltown last Friday accompanied by the widow, Mrs. Addie Bayless, Mrs. Lenora Burdick and son Lee, and on Friday the funeral was held from the chapel at the Home, after which all that was mortal of deceased was laid to rest among his comrades in the Soldiers cemetery with full military honors.

~Postville Herald, Oct 26, 1922