B. S. Longerbeam 1875-1912

LONGERBEAM, FERGUSON, FAUROT, BEVER, DAVIS

Posted By: Sharon Elijah (email)
Date: 12/12/2016 at 08:26:56

5 July 1912 - The Lowden News

The community of Lowden was both shocked and surprised Saturday evening when hearing of the death of B. S. Longerbeam, now of Mechanicsville, who had passed from this life Saturday afternoon. Mr. Longerbeam was well known here having been principal of our public school for five years in succession. The following obituary was obtained from the Mechanicsville Press.

Mechanicsville was shocked last Friday to learn that B. S. Longerbeam had taken suddenly ill that day and that the illness was very critical from the start, the first evidence of illness being in the form of a severe convulsion. By three o'clock that afternoon all hope of his recovery was abandoned for it was evident that death was only a few hours away at best. He died Saturday afternoon at 3:15 o'clock, and had not been conscious for twenty-four hours.

The subject of this sketch, Balaam Smith Longerbeam was born in Johnson county, Iowa, near Iowa City, July 18, 1875, and died at his home June 29, 1912, at 3:15 p.m. Had he lived until the eighteenth of this month, July, he would have reached the age of thirty-seven years. His life was spent principally in this community. He completed the course of the Mechanicsville High School and taught in the same school for some time. For five years he was superintendent of the Lowden school, serving with efficiency as organizer and teacher.

On July 2nd, 1902, in Chicago, Ill., he was married to Nellie A. Ferguson of Mechanicsville, Ia. To this union was born one daughter, Pauline, who lives to share with her mother this bereavement.

The deceased was converted and joined the United Brethern church in 1889, continuing as a member of this church until he removed to Lowden when he transferred his membership to the Methodist Episcopal church. When he was nine years of age he underwent an operation for hip disease which left him crippled for life and which had caused great pain and much suffering during the past years. At the time of his death he was engaged in the business of a confectionery, and by careful attention to business had succeeded in building up a successful trade. Funeral services were held in the Methodist Episcopal church Monday afternoon, July 1st, conducted by the pastor, Rev. Jas. Ballz. The house was more than filled by the large number of friends who came to pay the tribute of love and respect to the departed. The male quartet composed of Messrs. Purcell, Wilson, Johnson and Dr. Stookey furnished beautiful and appropriate music for the services.

Many beautiful floral designs were the gift of friends and relatives. Besides the wife and daughter there are left to share the bereavement two brothers, George and Charles Longerbeam of Mechanicsville, and three sisters, Mrs. Wilbur Faurot, of Mechanicsville, Mrs. Charles Bever, of Tipton, and Mrs. Arthur Davis, of Muscatine. The body was laid to rest in the local cemetery.