Joseph Beeler

BEELER, VALE, WARNER

Posted By: Fran Hunt, Volunteer
Date: 10/2/2001 at 19:12:04

From the Portrait and Biographical Album of Jefferson and Van Buren Counties - 1890
JOSEPH BEELER
Joseph Beeler, a blacksmith and wagon maker, of Lebanon, Van Buren County, is a native of
Iowa. He was born in Lee County May 28, 1847, and is a son of John and Hannah Vale
Beeler, both of whom were natives of Indiana. His father was born in 1817, and having
attained to mature years, led to the marriage altar, in 1839, Miss Vale, who was born in 1818.
They moved to Lee County, where Mr. Beeler died in the prime of his life, being but thirty four
years of age, when called to his final rest. His wife long survived him, dying at the age of
sixty-three years. They were parents of four children, of whom our subject was third in order of
birth, and Jacob and Joseph are the only ones now living. The former is a resident of
Washington Township.
Joseph Beeler passed the days of his boyhood and youth in his native county, where he
learned the trades of blacksmithing and wagon making. Going to Garden Grove Iowa in 1862,
he followed his trade at that place, but the Civil War being in progress, and feeling it his duty
to aid in the preservation of the Union, he enlisted in the Third Iowa Cavalry under Capt. J.D.
Brown. The regiment was commanded by Col. Noble; now Secretary of the Interior under
President Harrison. They participated in a few important engagements during that campaign,
but in the summer of 1864 were engaged mostly in raids against the troops of Gen. Forrest.
They did guard duty at Memphis and participated in the battles of Tupelo and Guntown. In
September of that year they crossed the river and started on a raid against Gen. Price whom
they followed through Missouri and Kansas.
The forces were then scattered and the Third Iowa Cavalry went to St. Louis, at which place
its members boarded a steamer, which was blown up by the bursting of a boiler. They
afterwards joined Gen. Wilson, and with whom they participated in the raid through Alabama
and Georgia, in which took place the battles of Selma, Montgomery, Macon and Columbus.
Their next move was against Atlanta Georgia, where they were mustered out on August 9,
1865. Mr. Beeler was present at the capture of Jefferson Davis. He was a faithful soldier, ever
found at his post of duty, and at the close of the war was honorably discharged.
When hostilities had ceased and the troops were once more free to return to their homes, Mr.
Beeler resumed the trade of blacksmithing and wagon making in Garden Grove, Iowa, where
he remained until 1875, when he came to Lebanon and purchased his present shop. He is
doing a general line of blacksmithing and general jobbing business together with wooden
work, and also manufactures wagons and buggies. His business now yields him an annual
income of $1,200. He is an expert workman in both branches of his trade, and by fair and
honest dealing he has secured the confidence of those who give him their patronage.
The accomplished wife of Mr. Beeler was in her maidenhood, Miss Gracie Warner. She was
born in October 1863, and is a member of the Presbyterian Church. Mr. Beeler is a
Republican in politics. They have but one child, a little son Stanley.
I am not related, and am posting this biography for those who may find this person in their family history.