BESWICK, Thomas Thorniley: 1838-1914
BESWICK, THORNILEY, FEE, GOODALL, PLUMER, HARNESS
Posted By: Volunteer: Sherri
Date: 12/15/2013 at 12:35:53
OLD RESIDENT CALLED
Death of One of Leading Citizens of Stockport.
CAME TO COUNTY IN 1850
By Diligence and Good Management Accumulated a Competence
Thomas Thorniley Beswick was born in Washington County, Ohio, just a few miles from Muskingum river from Marietta, June 24, 1838, and entered into his reward in his home of Stockport, Ia., August 31, 1914, being 76 years 2 months and 7 days of age. He was the seventh child of James and Augusta Elizabeth Thorniley Beswick, being one of a family of eleven-nine of whom lived to the age of maturity and married and raise families. Of the nine he was the sixth to answer the call, leaving one brother, George G. Beswick of Memphis, Mo., whose birth date is August 2, 1829, Sarah Frances, wife of W.F. Plumer of Ft. Madison, Ia., who was born Nov. 18, 1833, and Minerva Ann, wife of W.H. Thorniley of Marietta, Ohio, who is the youngest of the family, being born Dec. 22, 1846.
On March 20, 1850 the family with the exception of the eldest daughter, Elizabeth, who had married John L. Harness, July 3, 1849, and James Beswick Jr. arrived at Keokuk, Ia., on their way to this country and that evening had made their way to the farm which has from that date remained in the Beswick name. Mr. and Mrs. Harness and James Jr., left the boat at Hannibal, Mo., Mr. and Mrs. Harness making their home at Bowling Green, Mo., and James after asssiting them to get located followed arriving at Keokuk March 31, 1850.
James Beswick Sr., the father of the subject of this sketch, was a native of England having been born at Stockport, Eng., April 13, 1806, and came with his parents to the United States in 1818, being about the same age as Thomas was when he came to Iowa. Stockport, Ia., derived its name from the little town situated a few miles from Liverpool. The mother of Thomas was a native of Ohio and was born in 1804-January 11.
The educational advantages of the '50's were extremely meager especially in the west so our subject had very little advantages along that line after his 12th year. Only for two or three winters after coming to Iowa did he attend school and then usually not more than three months.
Having remained at home until 1863 he went by stage to Nevada, where he spent about two and one half years farming near Reno, and teaming between there and Sacramento, Calif. The return trip was made by steamer from San Francisco to the isthmus riding a mule to Lake Nicaraugua then by flat bottomed boats to the tide water on the Atlantic coast where he embarked for New York. Just at night fall the vessel entered the outher harbor of New York and signalled for a pilot but none came and during the night a terrible storm arose which for 48 hours threatened momentarily to swamp the craft-the water so entering the boat as to put out the fires, but at last it subsided and the staunch old boat anchored at her pier badly damaged but without the loss of a single life. He then came via Niagara FAlls and Chicato to the parental home.
January 20, 1869, Mr. Beswick led to the marriage alter Miss Eliza Jane Fee, a native of Ireland, but her life was soon snuffed out by tuberculousis, only living a few months. He was married May 2, 1872, to Miss Kate F. Goodall, a native of Van Buren county, having been born July 26, 1850, just across the road south of where now stands the f?? Presbyternian church near Mt. Zion, who survives him. He is the father of three children, Chas L. born Jan. 30, 1874, who survives, and two daughters, Anna L. born May 9, 1876, dying in infancy and Alethea K. born Nov. 11, 1877, and departed this life June 28, 19??
Mr. Beswick ????d to be a farmer and by industry and frugality he had added to the home farm, until her acquired a farm of 343 acres, before ill health made it advisable for him to turn the more strenous life over to other hands and made a comfortable home in Stockport, whre since 1899, he has had his home.
Politically he supported the democratic ticket and none was better please than he when his party was victoriuos because he believed in those principles, yet locally he voted for the man regardless of party.
In 1895 he united with the Christian church in Stockport and remained a faithful and consistent member.
His declining health became marked last March and gradually developed what the surgeons called cancer of the bladder. Different surgeions were consulted and different hospitals visited but to no avial as he gradually grew weaker until he peacefully fell to sleep about 4:30 August 31, 1914, and watchers noticed the gradual lengthening of the breathing until the last breath came at 5:25 without a struggle or the twitching of a muscle.
Mr. Beswick absolutely believed in the square deal and never knowingly wronged a neighbor as the testimony of his acquaintaces will verify.
The funeral was from the Christian church Wednesday, Sept. 2, the funeral discourse being delivered by Elder Oscar Grimes of Des moines, who while pastor of the church here made his home with the deceased, assisted by her pastor, Bro. P.E. Stiles. Interment was had at Winchester cemetery beside the loved ones who had gone on before.
Source: Van Buren Co. Genealogical Society Obituary Book C, Page 375/376, Keosauqua Public Library, Keosauqua, IA
Van Buren Obituaries maintained by Rich Lowe.
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