James Marsh Beals (1942)
BEALS, DIXON, HAMMER, JONES
Posted By: Pat Hochstetler
Date: 3/4/2011 at 11:49:29
Dexter Library Obituary Collection
Dexter, Iowa
April 1942J. M. Beals, 92 Died April 13
Funeral services for J. M. Beals were conducted by Rev. Lauren Phinery at Bear Creek church on Wednesday, April 15. Mrs. Pauline Comly read the obituary. A male quartet—Fred Fry, Kenneth Neal, Oren Hadley and Mervyn McLennan sang “Saved By Grace” and “There’s no Disappointment in Heaven.” Mrs. Berneice Hadley was pianist. A fitting close to the service came when Mervyn McLennan accompanied by his wife, sang a bass solo, “Going Home.”
The earthly remains were borne to their resting place in Bear Creek cemetery by the five sons and son-in-law.
OBITUARY
James Marsh Beals, the youngest in a family of eleven children was born to David and Rachel Hammer Beals in Greene county, Tennessee on November 11, 1849. His earthly life ended at his home near Earlham, Iowa, on the morning of April 13, 1942, his age being 92 years, five months and two days.
During the autumn months, when he was five years old, his family moved to Iowa, taking six weeks to make the trip. They settled in Jasper county, near what is now known as Center Church east of Newton, and in that vicinity he grew to young manhood. He remained in the home until his mother passed away when he was about 21 years of age.
During the following years, his time was spent partly in Kansas, partly in Iowa until 1878, when he purchased a small farm near Carson, Iowa, where he lived for the next twenty-four years. His father and step-mother shared his home until the time of her death and during the agonizing weeks of her last illness, he kindly and faithfully assisted in caring for her. His father continued to be with him much of the time until he was called home in his ninety-second year.
On April 3, 1890, he was united in marriage to Marget I. Dixon of Russell, Iowa, thus forming a companionship that continued over a period of nearly fifty-two years. Into their home, they welcomed five sons and three daughters, all of whom survives except the youngest daughter, Pearl who passed away in infancy.
In the spring of 1902, he moved his family to a new location in the Bear Creek community, and here for the last forty years, he has made his home.
On November 9, 1941, his wife and constant companion was suddenly stricken and taken from him. Though he seemed reconciled, he never recovered from the shock and as time passed it became more apparent that his body would not recover to his former strength. He was as one who walks leisurely along a pleasant path enjoying the things about him and abruptly fixes his eyes upon a distant goal and makes great strides in its direction. The years that had been so kind making their marks lightly upon him, seemed with a few weeks to demand their toll, as if for time lost in the past.
James Beals was a birthright member of the Friends church and continued steadfast in the faith of his fathers as long as he lived. He loved his Christ and always desired to serve him in whatever way was best. He was ever faithful in attending the services of his church and though the time came when he could hear little that was said, his voice could still be heard joining in the hymns of praise of he sat and worshiped silently.
He had an alert mind to the last, read a great deal and during the last months, one of his greatest concerns has been for “our boys.” Although his was always a simple life, he had a zest for living, but when the end was near looking forward, he said, “We’ve been happy here—we’ll be happy over there.”
He was taken severely ill on Wednesday evening, April 8 and during his brief time of suffering, frequently spoke words of appreciation for the care he was receiving. When he could no longer speak, his eyes often brightened with recognition of some one at his bedside. So he died—believing in Christ and eternal life.
All of his brothers and sisters have gone on before him. He leaves many nieces, nephews and other relatives, most of whom reside in distant states. Those who will cherish his memory most are his seven children, Isaac of Norwalk, Iowa; Mrs. Elmer S. Jones, Elbert, Virgil, Earl, Lula and Asa, all of Earlham vicinities, and his twelve grandchildren.
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