Joseph Beeler 1844-1936

BEELER, WARNER

Posted By: Volunteer - Rich Lowe
Date: 12/23/2016 at 09:13:08

December 3, 1936 - The Keosauqua Republican

Another aged citizen and Civil War veteran has passed from our midst. Joseph Beeler of Lebanon, aged 92, passed away on November 26 at his home after a short illness.

Mr. Beeler was born on a farm in Lee County in 1844. When he was a child he came with his parents John and Hannah Beeler to Van Buren County and settled on what is generally known as the Emerick farm near Lebanon.

Mr. Beeler, like others of his time, had very few educational advantages. He attended the district school at Lebanon, generally going three months in the winters. Sometimes it was his lot to skip the entire three months.

In 1862, he went to Garden Grove to learn the blacksmith trade. It was there in 1864 that he was enlisted in the Third Iowa Cavalry, and became a member of the Union Army. He was first sent to Memphis, TN, and then to Little Rock, AR. He took part in many of the battles fought in driving General Price from Missouri. In 1864, he marched with Sherman's men to the sea.

On August 1865, he received his honorable discharge from the army, and the next month returned to Garden Grove to take up his former occupation. Some 10 years later he returned to Lebanon where he had since made his home.

In July 1884, Mr. Beeler and Miss Grace Warner were married. They had three children, Stanley and Hazen, who now live near Lebanon, and Rex, who died in infancy.

The passing of Mr. Beeler leaves only two Civil War veterans in Van Buren County, Mr. William J. Breitenstein of Farmington and Mr. E. W. McKinney of Bentonsport.