Beeler, John S.

BEELER, DOLLARHIDE, WINTERS, BRADLEY, MORRISON, REID

Posted By: Marilyn Holmes (email)
Date: 9/8/2012 at 09:12:52

History of Poweshiek County Iowa (Publ. 1911) by Prof. L.F. Parker
Page 132

JOHN S. BEELER

The memory of John S. Beeler, for the past forty-five years a resident of Poweshiek county, carried him back still further to the pioneer days of Iowa when a large part of this great state was yet open prairie and little was known as to its resources.

He was born at Marion, Iowa, September 13, 1845, and was a member of a family of sixteen children--eight sons and eight daughters--of Fred and Nancy (Dollarhide) Beeler, the former of whom was a native of West Virginia and the latter of Indiana. They were married in 1836 at Indianapolis, and in 1837 came to Iowa and lived for several years at Muscatine, where the father engaged in work in connection with the river traffic. From that place he moved to Linn county, Iowa, and took up land at Marion, being one of the early settlers of that section. The Indians were still wandering at large through the country when he arrived in Linn county and he maintained with them the most friendly relations, often trading horses with his visitors. This was a favorite diversion of the early days. He was a man of good business ability and a large landowner, possessing one thousand acres of good Linn county land. In politics he gave his support to the democratic party, and in religious belief affiliated with the Methodist church, of which he was deacon and trustee. He took a great interest in education and was a valued member of the school board. A man of many sterling characteristics, he was greatly respected wherever he was known. He died February 12, 1895, having then reached the age of eighty-one years. Mrs. Beeler was called away five years later.

John S. Beeler, of this review, received his early education in the public schools of Marion, Iowa, and also had the advantage of attendance at the high school in the same town. He was reared under the favorable conditions of farm life, and even as a boy displayed remarkable strength and ability in his work. One day, in a few hours, he split eight-five railroad ties. He followed this occupatin for twenty-seven days and then in December, 1866, arrived in Poweshiek county and went to work on shares under his uncle, George M. Beeler. In 1868 his father gave him a farm in Linn county, which he soon afterward disposed of, and settled on productive land in Poweshiek county where he has since continued. He is now the owner of six hundred acres, and his wife owns sixty-eight acres in this county. He also owns three hundred and forty acres in Missouri. He has for thirty-five years been a large raiser and feeder of stock, devoting his attention especially to Hereford cattle and the breeding of Percheron horses, in which he has attained an enviable reputation.

On the 22d of January, 1871, Mr. Beeler was united in marriage to Miss Ellen C. Beeler, a daughter of George M. and Nancy (Carpenter) Beeler, and of this union ten children have been born, namely: Ira C., who is now living in Washington township; Ora F., who lives at Hugo, Colorado; George F., of Pleasant township, May, who became the wife of L.A. Winters, of Jacob, Iowa; Nancy A., who married Joe H. Bradley, of Missouri; Mary, who married E.S. Morrison, a business man of Grinnell; John Cleveland; Louis Clark, now engaged in farming in Sugar Creek township; Janie, who married John Reed (REID), of Pleasant township; and Clara, who is now a student in the Grinnell high school.

Politically Mr. Beeler gives his allegiance to the democratic party. He has been a candidate for member of the lower house of the state legislature at two different elections but, his party being in the minority, he was unsuccessful and met with defeat. In religious belief he adheres to the faith of the Society of Friends and through life he has aimed to be guided by the teachings of this worthy organization. Fortunate in possessing qualities of mind and heart which are inseparable from honorable manhood, he won the respect of neighbors and acquaintances and for many years has been a tower of strength in the community. He has always been loyal to every trust and has ever been ready to assist in every movement for the upbuilding of the section. It is with pleasure that this record is here given of one of the clear-headed and noble-hearted men of Poweshiek county.