Margaret Forbes Beatty 1825-1925

BEATTY, FORBES, RIGSBY

Posted By: Volunteer - Karen DaPra
Date: 4/8/2003 at 06:27:40

MRS. MARGARET BEATTY

Margaret Forbes Beatty was born in Greencastle, Franklin county, Penn., on March 22, 1825, the daughter of John and Mary Forbes. The same year she was born her parents moved to New Hagerstown, Carrol county, Ohio. On the way there her father became ill and died shortly after they settled in Ohio. The family resided there until 1843, when they started to Iowa. Upon their arrival in Van Buren county they located on what is now known as the McSurley farm, near Mt. Zion, the place being then owned by Mrs. Beatty's half brother, Robert Forbes, who was the father of the late Robert Forbes, known to most recent dwellers in Keosauqua. Mrs. Beatty, her widowed mother and one brother were members of a party of seventeen who came to Iowa together and she was the only surviving member of the party. The family later lived at Philadelphia, now Kilbourne, and it was there that the then Miss Forbes and Benjamin Beatty were married Oct. 10, 1850. That fall the bride and groom settled on a farm located on the river of Rochester, then quite a village, but long ago almost forgotten except by the older inhabitants. There they reared their family. Seven children were born to them, two, John and Mattie, being deceased. The surviving children are William, who lives on a farm below Keosauqua, in the neighborhood where he was born; Misses Margaret, Ella, and Emma; Mrs. Mary Rigsby.

There are also eight grandchildren, as follows: Messrs. Fred, Clark and Marion Rigsby; Miss Zada Rigsby, Miss Ida Beatty, Messrs. Linn and Roy Beatty and H. E. Cox.

One of the secrets of Mrs. Beatty's long life was her sunny disposition and her willingness at all times to take life as it came to her, without the fretfulness that is common to a dissatified humanity. 34 years ago her sight began to fail and in all that time she has been cheerful in the face of affliction.

One of the greatest pleasures of Mrs. Beatty's was to have some member sit by her bed and sing hymns she loved. And lying there she hummed the tunes herself.

Although blind, Mrs. Beatty had always been quite active until an injury caused by a fall befell her about two years ago, since which time she has been confined to her bed.

Two weeks ago she celebrated her 100th birthday. Many friends called at the home, as did all the relatives living hereabouts. She has been a remarkable woman.

She joined the Church of God in early youth and continued the faith until she quietly slipped away from earth to heaven Tuesday, 8:30 a. m., April 7th, leaving a rich heritage, telling us not to trust in earthly riches but in the living God.

Photocopy of this obit found on page 169 of Obit Book "A" of the Van Buren County Genealogical Society's collection at the Keosauqua Public Library in Dec 2000. Name of newspaper and date of obit not given.)

I am NOT related and am posting this obit for those who may find this person in their family history.

[Original post 13 Jan 2001]