Beeler, Frederick V.

BEELER, CARPENTER, JENKINS, VANDERVEER, PITMAN, BREEDEN, MANOR

Posted By: Gary Norris (email)
Date: 11/29/2012 at 07:26:15

Frederick V. Beeler, a prominent farmer of Washington township, is a native of the township in which he now lives. He was born June 24, 1858, a son of George M. and Nancy (Carpenter) Beeler. The father was born in Morgan county, Indiana, and the mother in Kentucky. George M. Beeler came to Poweshiek county in 1849 and purchased a farm of one hundred and sixty acres in Washington township, following general farming and stock-raising with such success that he eventually acquired eight hundred acres of good land. He died May 3, 1886, the beloved wife and mother having been called away January 12, 1885. Both he and his wife were prominent in the good works of the community and were valued members of the Society of Friends. In politics he gave his support to the democratic party and served for several terms as township trustee. To Mr. and Mrs. Beeler were born nine children: Susan, now the widow of Simon Watson, of Washington township; Mary Ann, the wife of William Garrett, also of Washington township; Ellen C., who married John S. Beeler of Washington township, a record of whom appears elsewhere in this work; Jane, the wife of H. E. Vanderveer, of Texas; Levi, deceased; Frederick V.; Robert and Sarah Dorcas, both of whom are deceased; and Clement, who is now living at Grinnell. The grandparents of the maternal side were Levi and Susan (Moore) Carpenter, the former of whom was born October 14, 1797, and the latter June 14, 1798.

Frederick V. Beeler, of this review, was educated in the district schools of Washington township, and as he grew up assisted his father upon the home farm. At the age of twenty-two years he rented land upon his own account and two years later purchased one hundred and sixty acres, having previously inherited eight acres from the family estate. He is now the owner of a farm of three hundred and eight acres, which is highly valuable on account of its fertility and productiveness. He and his family live in a comfortable house and he has erected substantial outbuildings and made numerous other improvements. The neat and thrifty appearance of everything about the place indicates the thoughtful care and practical ideas of its owner.

On the 28th of December, 1881, Mr. Beeler was united in marriage to Miss Isabel Jenkins, who was born in Grinnell township, October 17, 1862, a daughter of Nehemiah and Angeline (Hibbs) Jenkins. The father was born at Morgantown, Virginia, December 14, 1828, and the mother at Williamsburg, Indiana, September 4, 1837. He removed to Indiana with his parents who located near Williamsburg. In 1849, after his marriage to Angeline Hibbs, he came to Poweshiek county. Two years later, yielding to the gold excitement he went to California, but returned to this county in 1853 and became one of the well known farmers of Grinnell township. He died March 11, 1911, but his wife is still living at Vinton, Iowa. Politically he gave his support to the democratic party and served as township trustee and school director. He was a valued member of the Masonic order. There were seven children in the family of Mr. and Mrs. Jenkins: Ambrose, now living in Grinnell; Eldora, who is the wife of Walter Vanderveer, of Ames, Colorado; Isabel, now Mrs. Frederick V. Beeler; Mary, deceased; Edna, the wife of Clement Beeler; McClellan, also deceased; and Nellie, the wife of Harry Pitman, of Vinton, Iowa. Two children have blessed the union of Mr. and Mrs. Beeler; Nellie D., who is the wife of Floyd Breeden, of Colfax, Iowa; and who has one child, Lyle A.; and Mary A., the wife of George Manor, of Carrollton, Michigan, and mother of one child, Mildred L.

In politics Mr. Beeler adheres to the democratic party as the one which, in his opinion, can best preserve the liberties of the people. He takes the interest of a wide-awake citizen in public affairs and has served several terms as township trustee. Since his boyhood he has been actively engaged in farming in Poweshiek county, and few have possessed more favorable opportunities for the acquiring of practical knowledge and the best methods than he. His personal worth has gained him the good will of his fellowmen and he has an extensive circle of friends, who have the greatest confidence in his integrity and ability.

History of Poweshiek County Iowa
- A Record of Settlement, Organizations, Progress and Achievement, Vol. II
written by Prof. L. F. Parker.
Published by The S. J. Clarke Publishing Co., in 1911
Pages 314-317