Beach, Lyman 1817-1890 & Elizabeth Mills with Pioneer family

BEACH, MILLS, CLOTHIER, MCCORMICK

Posted By: Wilma J. Vande Berg - volunteer (email)
Date: 12/18/2022 at 21:01:30

Beach, Lyman 1817-1890 & Elizabeth Mills with noted pioneer children – Isaac, Alexander, Andrew, Albert and Margaret Herbert.

This biography was compiled by Wilma J. Vande Berg of the Greater Sioux County Genealogical Society and taken from various identified sources. Purpose was to find as much about the Lyman Beach family as was available in local sources. When family information is taken from various sources it is often found that the information varies from one source to another. Often birth places and dates are listed differently by various family reports. The information in this biography was stated as found in the source addressed.

The life and times of Sioux County pioneers can be read about in several Sioux County books. “The Story of Sioux County” by Charles Dyk gives a very colorful account of pioneer life with its joys and hardships. The book “Siouxland A History of Sioux County” by Nelson Nieuwenhuis gives great historical accounts of the area. The “1908 Sioux County Atlas” has historical accounts of the various townships of Sioux County.. Also, the ‘Sioux County Iowa digital archives’ newspapers can be googled as such, and can be searched for your ancestors names that could lead to more items of interest in their daily life.

CENTENNIAL Book of Alton Iowa 1883-1983 has many accounts of the early influential pioneer Beach family. Pages 8,12,13,29,63,71,113,118,119,134,176,180 all refer to the Beach family. A few excerpts follow:
*Page 12 Paragraph 1: Alexander Beach was not one to let opportunity pass him by hence he soon had an assistant or two in the depot and a number of outside commercial interests built up. By 1876 these had prospered to such an extent that he persuaded his parents and brothers to join him in his pioneering. Thus was the firm of Beach Bros. Formed, consisting of Alexander (A. L.), his older brother Will (I. W.) and their younger brother, Albert (A. B.) Lyman, their father, worked with them and so did another brother Andrew ( A. J.), who came a years or so later. They built a sizable store and warehouse for their hardware, feed and farm implement business, installed a good stock of lumber, put up a husky grain elevator, and fenced in a stock yard.
Paragraph 2: The Beach name was not destined to become a permanent name in Alton records. Beach Bros, had expanded too rapidly to stand the strain. Built upon what we would now call a ‘Shoestring,” the young firm had not the capital to carry their farmer customers, and they were finally forced into bankruptcy. They had each built comfortable homes in which they were rearing sizable families. These homes were given up, one by one, and by 1887, the last of the Beaches, A. J. and his parents, departed from the thriving town of Alton.
Paragraph 3 & 4: Summary- The great blizzard and snow year of 1880 started October 15 and continued off and on until late spring of 1881. The railroads had trouble getting supplies to the town. No mail for 12 days, shipments took three months from St. Paul. Shortage of fuel was an acute problem as no coal came through, when the train stopped for water, the people shoveled the coal off the cars and later came to pick it up off the ground. When the coal supply was exhausted even then were burning ear corn. Often they had to dig through deep snow to find corn, stalks and hay to twist for fuel. Some people resorted to eating boiled wheat or corn for food.
Continuing page 13 with a summary: In 1881 the people desired to incorporate the village and change the name from East Orange. Alexander Beach headed the petition to change it to Wilfred, the name of his son, the first child born in the town. The name of Delft was considered and finally since there was no Alton in Iowa the name was agreed upon. In 1882 many other businesses started up in Alton and were adding to the competition for the struggling Beach Enterprises. In 1883 the town incorporated, and Alex Beach was elected mayor.
*Page 29 Summary – When the question of where to build the new court house of Sioux County came up there was some debate on the subject as the people of Alton wanted it in Alton but it was defeated by vote and stayed in Orange City. Alton’s pride in the new courthouse was the fact that the architect for the building was her own native son, Wilfred W. Beach, who thirty years before was the first child born in East Orange.
*Page 71 Paragraph 3: Heading of Page – St. Mary’s Church. On September 12 1881 St Donatus Church was dedicated of LeMars. In August, 1883 Rev Ulric Frey was sent to Alton with instructions to form a congregation and to build a church in town. A frame Church was built that fall. The residence of Mr. W. Beach was purchased for the rectory, and served that purpose until 1975 when the present rectory was constructed. However, the Beach home continues to serve as a residence for the Sisters of St. Francis who teach in this area.
*Page 113 has a list of all the Mayors of Alton. Topping the lists is Alexander Beach 1883-1884
*Page 134 – Baseball The team members were listed including I W. Beach. The team hadn’t been beaten yet that year 1888.
*Page 176. 5th paragraph… from the Alton Democrat of June 25, 1959 almost all the first families have left Alton such names as… including the Beach families have completely disappeared….
*Page 180 Alton Democrat of May 1, 1931 Interesting sidelights about Alton – Beach Bros. Had most Important Businesses in 1882 by (G. W. Pitts)
Third Paragraph – Prior to 1882 the most important business enterprise in East Orange (Alton) was that of Beach Bros, managed by Alex Beach, who ran a hardware store, grain elevator and lumber ars. Alex Beach had recently defeated for nomination to the General Assembly by I. S. Struble of Le Mars afterward member of congress from this district. Soon after 1882 Mr. Beach removed to Sioux City, where he again engaged in the hardware business and where he died about twenty years ago. His son, Wilfred W., the first child born in East Orange, was the architect who planned and Superintended the construction of the Sioux County court house erected at Orange City in 1901-1902

RESEACH - Familysearch.org Brief Life History of Lyman Beach
When Lyman Beach was born on 25 December 1817, in Kemptville, Oxford, Grenville, Upper Canada, British Colonial America, his father, Abraham Beach, was 26 and his mother, Ann Clothier, was 18. He married Elizabeth Mills on 14 March 1842, in Canada. They were the parents of at least 4 sons and 1 daughter. He lived in Wilmot Township, Waterloo, Ontario, Canada in 1871. He died on 16 July 1890, in Neligh, Antelope, Nebraska, United States, at the age of 72, and was buried in Nassau Township Cemetery, Alton, Sioux, Iowa, United States. He was living at Neligh NE with his son at the time of his death, he was buried at Alton IA.

ANCESTRY RESEARCH gathered from an account on ancestry.com submitted to public family trees by other related persons, not verified by the submitter of this BIOS.

The reports on ancestry.com give an accounting of the ancestry of Lyman Beach back to Pilgrim John Beach born 1623 St Albans Devon England died Jun 16, 1677 Wallingford Connecticut, and wife Mary Hannah Staples 1627-1677.

Lyman Clothier Beach born 25 Dec 1817 Kemptville, Granville, Ontario Canada died 1890 Neligh, NE. He was the son of Abraham Beach born 2 Oct 1791 New Jersey died 6 June1864 Kemptville Crenville Co. Ontario Canada and Ann Clothier born 9 May1799 NY died 13 Oct 1833 Kemptville Ontario Canada.

Elizabeth Mills born 1814 Pettigoe/ County Kilkenny, Ireland died 1886 Pattersonville, Sioux Iowa, she was the daughter of Andrew Mills 1784 Ireland died 6 Jul 1871 at Stormont Ontario Canada and Margaret McCormick born about 1785 Ireland died 1859 London Middlesex, Ontario, Canada

CHILDREN: Sources – Find a Grave, local obituaries, census and family reports from ancestry.com.

1. Isaac William Beach born 3 Jan 1843 south Dumfries, Brant County Ontario Canada, died 1 Jan 1922 Iowa buried Sheldon, Iowa. His wife was Emily Bonham. They married 16 Aug 1866 at Dundee Brant Ontario . Their children were Winifred J. Beach, Arthur William Beach, Clayton Lyman Beach, Gertrude Evelyn Beach, Lillian Norma Grout and Adelaide Mary Johnson.
From the Sioux County Index (Hull), January 13, 1922:
Mr. I. W. Beach was born in New Berlin, Ontario, Canada, in 1843 and died in Litchfield, Minn., Jan. 1, 1922, at the age of 79 years. Mr. and Mrs. I. W. Beach came to Iowa from Canada and settled in Alton, where Mr. Beach was engaged in the elevator business. After a few years they moved to Hull. Residing here a short time they went to Sheldon and made their home with their son, Dr. A. W. Beach until the latter's death when they went to their daughter's home in Hutchinson, Kansas, where Mrs. Beach died November 7, 1921. Mr. Beach leaves to mourn his loss two sons, Dr. C. L. Beach of Hull, and Mr. S. L. Beach of Chicago, and two daughters, Mrs. E. G. Johnson of Litchfield, Minn., and Mrs. George Rodman of Hutchinson, Kansas. Mr. Beach was a Mason for several years and had been a faithful member. The regular funeral services were held at Litchfield, Tuesday, and a short service was held at East Lawn cemetery in Sheldon, January 4, where interment was made. The services there were conducted by Rev. Allen. Those attending the funeral were Dr. and Mrs. C. L. Beach of Hull and Miss Edna Beach of Sioux City. Note - The Minnesota Death Certificates Index has Beach, Isaac William, died January 1, 1922 in Meeker County. Certificate no. 1922-MN-007610.

2. Alexander Lyman Beach born 19 Jun 1847 Ontario Canada, died 1 May 1905 Sioux City, Iowa. Wife was Sarah Jane Beach. Their children were Abbie Claire Beach, Edna May Beach, Nellie Louise Beach, Nettie Rosalind Beach, Wilfred Warren Beach, Margaret Adelaide Erken, Mary Greta Detwiller.
Alexander Beach was the first mayor of Alton 1883-1884.

3.Andrew James Beach born 14 Jan 1845 Ontario, Canada, died 4 Jun 1912 Iowa buried Sioux City Iowa. Wife Clara Argle 1855-1952 Children – See obit of Andrew Beach
Source: Alton Democrat issue of 8 June 1912 Death Roll. Andrew James Beach, who was stricken with paralysis at his home at Sioux City, succumbed to the attack about four o'clock in the afternoon of June 4th. Mr. Beach was born in Kempville, Ontario, Canada Jan. 17, 1845. He moved to Michigan in the early '70s and to Alton Iowa, then East Orange, in 1876 and joined the old firm of Beach Bros. in the lumber, hardware, grain and farm implement business. In 1877 he was married in Saginaw, Mich., to Miss Clara Argyle. They continued to reside in Alton until 1887 when they removed to Sioux City where they have since lived. Mr. Beach was associated with the firm of Beach & Weld (of which his brother, A.L. Beach was the senior member) and was afterward employed by the Sioux City Starch Works and the Sioux City Oatmeal Mill. At the time of his death he was in the employ of T.S. Martin & Co. He is survived by his widow and five children, the youngest fifteen years of age. They are Andrew 1882, Albert 1889, Clara 1892, Roger 1894 and Lawrence 1897. His two remaining brothers are I.W. Beach of Sheldon and A.B. Beach of Chicago. The funeral services were held at the residence on Thursday afternoon, Rev. E.H. Gaynor, rector of St. Paul's Episcopal church officiating. Interment was in Graceland cemetery. I.W. Beach and A.W. Beach of Sheldon were in attendance. (They lost two children Margaret 1885-1888 and Lyman Mahlon 1887-1888 buried in the Alton cemetery. One other children died young William Lyman Beach 1879-1883)

4. Albert Bruce Beach born 4 Jul 1850 Canada died 22 Jul 1918 Chicago IL buried Wheaton IL, He was a Machinery Manufacturer, he married first on 5 Jan 1876 Ontario Canada to Rachel Emerson Trout 1847-1888 and second marriage on 18 Sep 1890 at Grey Ontario Canada to Bertha May Jay.
Children of the first wife – Bessie 1876, Harriet 1878, Eva 1880, Grace 1882, and Albert 1887. Children from the second wife – Hugh 1892, Marjorie 1895 and Milton 1897.

5. Margaret Elizabeth Beach born 27 Sep 1853 Ontario Canada, died 21 May 1882 Buried Nassau township cemetery Alton Iowa. Husband Joseph Herbert
*Sioux County Herald June 1st 1882
Obituary: Mrs. Herbert. At her residence in Alton, on Friday Mary 26, 1882, Mrs. Herbert, wife of Joseph Herbert. Note: From a report on ancestry.com (by others) husband Joseph Howard Herbert born about 1852 Canada. Marriage 18 Oct 1877 East Orange (Alton) IA to Margaret Elizabeth Beach born 27 Sep 1853 New Dundee Ontario Canada died 25 May 1882 Alton IA. She was the daughter of Lyman Beach 1817-1890 and Elizabeth Mills 1810-1885. Children Sherman 1878-1971, and Samuel Lyman Herbert 1882-1882

OBITUARY of LYMAN BEACH 1817-1890
Alton Democrat of Aug 23, 1890
Lyman Beach, a former resident of Alton, died last Tuesday at Neligh, Neb., of typhoid malaria, in the seventy-second year of his life. He was buried in the Alton cemetery, Thursday. A. L. Beach and wife and A. J. Beach and wife, of Sioux City, A. B. Beach, of Neligh, Neb., I. W. Beach and wife, of Hull, and Mrs. Dr. Grout, of Rock Rapids, attended the burial. Mr. Beach was a popular old gentlemen and hundreds of people in this county will deeply grieve to learn of his death. He was one of Alton's pioneer settlers and was loved and respected by all who knew him.
(The Sioux County cemetery index lists Lymon Beach born 1817 die 1890 buried Nassau township cemetery Alton IA.. From an account on ancestry.com Lyman Beach born 25 Dec 1817 Kemptville Grenville Ontario Can. Died 1890 at Neligh NE. He was the son of Abraham Beach and Ann Clothier. His wife was Elizabeth Mills she died 1885 at Pattersonville (Hull) IA. They were the parents of five children, Isaac, Andrew, Alexander, Albert, and Margaret. )

OBITUARY of ELIZABETH MILLS MRS LYMAN BEACH born abt 1816 and died 1886 From the Alton Democrat of Jan 8, 1887 Taken from the Orange City Herald.
DIED. - BEACH - At the residence of her son Mr. A. B. Beach at Hull on the 31 of Dec. (1886), Mrs. Lyman Beach, aged 70 years and 6 months.
Grandma Beach, as she was familiarly know, was a native of Ireland. In early life she emigrated to Canada and for many years with her husband lived in the county of Waterloo, Ontario. Some ten years ago the family came to Iowa, and settled in this county where the deceased has since lived. Of late years she has been incapacitated from taking any active part in the affairs of life, but her influence was sensibly felt in the household of which she formed a part on account of her genial and affectionate disposition. Her aged partner (Lyman) and her four sons, Andrew, of Alton, Alex of Sioux City, Albert and William of Hull, are well known and highly respected citizens of the communities where they live. (from the Orange City Herald)
(In a family history found on line that seemed to be quite accurate found Elizabeth Mills born 1817 Pettigoe,Ireland daughter of Andrew Mills and Margaret McCormick, the death places are listed as in Canada) According to the Sioux county cemetery index Elizabeth Mills Beach b. 1814/1817 died 1885, actually 1886, and is buried in the Nassau Tsp Cemetery near Alton. Her husband, Lyman Beach born 1871 died 1890 and is buried in Nassau township cemetery near Alton IA.

The pictures of Lyman Beach and wife Elizabeth were taken from a family report on ancestry of the Isaac Beach family.

Sioux Biographies maintained by Linda Ziemann.
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