Joseph Beggs, b. 20 Nov 1825

WILLIAMS, REMBAUGH, RICINGER, BLAKELY, MESSENGER

Posted By: Donna Moldt Walker (email)
Date: 2/21/2004 at 13:24:40

Joseph Beggs, who is classed among those practical agriculturists of Jackson County who are nobly doing their part in the promotion of its material prosperity, and in the advancement of its highest interests, religious, social and educational, is an honored citizen of Perry Township, where he owns and manages a good farm on section 25.

The grandfather of our subject, Joseph Beggs, was born in Ireland, and in his youth learned the trade of a weaver. During the Catholic Rebellion, being a Protestant and an Orangeman, he was compelled to flee to Scotland for safety, and there he remained several years. He subsequently returned to Ireland, where he spent his remaining years engaged in weaving and farming. He was a stanch member of the Presbyterian Church. His son Joseph, father of our subject, was born in County Antrim, Ireland, and as he grew to man's estate he learned the trade of a weaver, and when about thirty years old he resolved, by emigration to America, to gain for himself a better chance of improving his finances. He put his resolution into effect, and became one of the pioneer citizens of Trumbull County, Ohio, where he engaged in farming. He afterward emigrated to Mercer County, Pa., where he bought 106 acres of wild land, and cleared a farm from the forest. He was also a mason, having learned that trade after coming to America, and carried it on in connection with the management of his farm. The last years of his life were passed on his Pennsylvania homestead, and at his death it was felt that a useful and honorable citizen was lost to the community. He was a consistent member of the Presbyterian Church, and for eighteen years served as an Elder. In politics he favored the policy of the Democratic party.

The mother of our subject was Rachel Beggs, and she was born in Corkville, Trumbull Co., Ohio. Her grandfather, Joseph Beggs, was a native of Ireland, who, coming to America sometime during the last century, located in Ohio, and there engaged in farming, clearing a farm of 106 acres from the wilderness. His son David was a patriotic soldier in the War of 1812. The mother of our subject received a superior education for those times, and taught school very successfully. After her husband's death, in 1857, she came to Iowa with her children, and lived in Jackson Township the next seven years. She next bought land in Perry Township, where she made her home until death called her hence at the ripe old age of eighty-four years. She lead a consistent Christian life, and was a valued member of the United Presbyterian Church at Andrew. She was the mother of eight children; James, Joseph, W.R., Asa M., Henry (deceased), Leonard, Sarah and Nancy. Henry served in Company K, 31st Iowa Infantry, enlisting in the fall of 1862. He was shot at the battle of Lookout Mountain, and now lies buried on its summit. Leonard was drafted in the Western Reserve, and was in the army until the war closed.

Joseph Beggs, of this sketch, was born in Mercer County, Pa., in the town of Hickory, Nov. 20, 1825. He was reared on a farm, and gleaned an education in the district schools of his native place. He remained at home with his parents until he was twenty-four years old, and gained under his father's instruction a good practical knowledge of farming. At that age he went to work in a furnace in the coal regions, and also engaged in mining, etc., until 1854. He became dissatisfied with his work, and resolved to see if life held anything better for him in the West. He went from his old home by team to Cleveland, Ohio, and embarked on the lakes for Chicago, thence went to Elgin, and rode on the first passenger train that ever passed between there and Galena. From the latter place he went to Hanover, where he lived until 1857. In that year he crossed the Mississippi into this State, and located in Jackson Township, this county, where he bought 300 acres of land with his mother. He engaged in farming there until 1866, when he sold his property, and bought his present place, or eighty-three acres of it, on section 25. He broke and cleared the land, completing the improvements begun when it came into his possession, and subsequently bought ninety-two acres adjacent. He has fenced and cleared this, and now has ninety-five acres under the plow. There is a fine spring of pure water on the land. Mr. Beggs has set out groves and an orchard, and has erected a comfortable set of buildings. He raises considerable stock, owning some fine specimens of Red-Polled cattle and full-blooded Poland-China hogs, and also has some good horses.

December 18, 1849, Mr. Beggs and Miss Martha Williams were united in marriage, near Sharpsburg, Mercer Co., Pa. Mrs. Beggs has proved to be a very efficient helpmate to her husband, and has filled in a perfect measure the duties of wife, mother and friend. She was born in Brookfield Township, Trumbull Co., Ohio, Aug. 21, 1830, and was sixteen years old when her parents removed to Mercer County, Pa. She became a dressmaker, and was established at Clarksville, Pa., until her marriage. She is of Welsh descent on her father's side, and her grandfather Williams was a lifelong resident of Wales. Her father, Nasmeth Williams, was born in that country in 1794, and when a young man came to America and located in Ohio. He was a farmer, and bought land in Brookfield Township, of which he thus became a pioneer. In 1844 he sold his property there and moved to Mercer County, Pa., where he farmed until death closed his earthly career in 1850. He was a member of the Presbyterian Church, and was a stanch defender of the faith. His wife, whose maiden name was Julia Rembaugh, was born in Williamstown, Perry Co., Pa., in 1803. He father, David Rembaugh, was born Oct 24, 1780, in Millerstown, that State, and was in business there as a jeweler and watchmaker. He was killed by being thrown from a horse. Mrs. Begg's mother, after her husband's death, moved to Knox County, Mo., where she died. She was an esteemed member of the Methodist Episcopal Church. She was the mother of nine children, namely: George, David, Martha N., Leah, Samuel R. and William N. (deceased), Frederick B., Amanda and Mary A. Samuel served three years in the war, and five months after his return home died. Mr. and Mrs. Beggs are the parents of eight children, of whom the following is recorded: Emmira J. married Leonard Ricinger, a farmer in Dawson County, Neb.; Alferdia is deceased; Princella married William Blakely, a farmer of Shelby Co., Neb.; Rachel married Clarence E. Messenger, a brickmaker in Fairbury, Neb.; Philena is a school teacher; Henry C., Frederic J. and Florence are at home. Mr. and Mrs. Beggs give their children the advantages of college educations.

Our subject and his amiable wife are very sociable people, and are held in the highest consideration by the whole community. All the family are members of the United Presbyterian Church at Andrew, and are identified with its good works. Mr. Beggs is a man of sound discretion and of sober judgment; he is regarded as a safe counselor, and a wise and ready helper to the needy and unfortunate. He has been School Director for several years, and has done much to advance the cause of education in this township. His political sentiments coincide with those expressed by the best men among the leaders of the Republican party.

("Portrait and Biographical Album of Jackson County, Iowa", originally published in 1889, by the Chapman Brothers, of Chicago, Illinois)