Beals, William A. 1834 - 1915
BEALS, LEARN, COOK, KNUDSON, KNIGHT
Posted By: Reid R. Johnson (email)
Date: 7/22/2022 at 14:20:20
Register and Argus, 11 Mar. 1915. Farmersburg column.
W. A. Beals died at his home here Monday morning at 3:00 o'clock.
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Register and Argus, 18 Mar. 1915. Farmersburg column.
William A. Beals, the subject of this sketch, was born at York Village, Maine, on April 22nd, 1834. He came of hardy pioneer stock and began the struggle of life in the big woods, getting out ship timbers and heavy building timbers while in his teens. He came to Iowa and settled at Clermont in 1857, where he was married the same year to Miss Martha Learn. They commenced life on the farm but the fates seemed to follow his efforts with ill luck. Though he was a most careful and industrious husbandman he gave up agricultural pursuits and came to Farmersburg in 1872 and from that time until shortly before his death, which occurred March 8th, 1915, his strength was his capital and all who bought the services of this man got full value, for he was a rapid ad skillful worker. He and his good wife lived together contentedly for nearly sixty years. Four children were born to them, two of whom preceded the father in death, George Melvin, who died in infancy, and Mrs. George Cook, of Arriba, Colo. He leaves to mourn his death his aged wife and two daughters, Mrs. Chas. Knudson, of Montevideo, Minn., and Mrs. E. L. Knight, of Waukon, Iowa.
He travelled this land from the shores of the Atlantic to near the Pacific and has witnessed more advancement and building of cities and railroads than many of the present generation can hope to see. In following the trade of stone mason and builder he has taken from the earth hundreds of cords of rock and many monsters of the forest have bowed their heads to the steady and vigorous strokes of his ax. He loved to relate the many stirring incidents of his long life and always saw them from the bright side.
A large concourse of friends gathered to pay their last tribute of respect to his memory and extend their sympathy to the aged wife and other relatives. The services were conducted by Rev. J. B. Bird, of Monona, and the remains were laid to rest on Wednesday afternoon in the Farmersburg cemetery, where the departed had dug nearly all the many graves and had cared for God's acre faithfully for many years, thus earning a peaceful rest. He had been a member of the Methodist church for many years.
Clayton Obituaries maintained by Sharyl Ferrall.
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