BEER, Henry S.: Died 1934

BEER, BELL, GIBSON, RANDOLPH

Posted By: Volunteer: Sherri
Date: 4/16/2015 at 04:10:42

Henry S. Beer

Henry Sherman Beer, familiarly known as Harry, passed into the other world on the morning of November 11, 1934, at his home in Keosauqua at the age of 71 years, 11 months and 6 days. He was born on December 5, 1862 on his father's farm on the Des Moines river, three miles below Keosauqua. He came of pioneer ancestry, his grandfather, Thomas Beer being one of the very earliest settlers in the vicinity, coming to Iowa from Illinois in January, 1836.

He was th third son of James Madison and Nancy Gibson Beer, and has lived all his life near or in Keosauqua, for the past 20 years in the home where he died in the east part of town.

He was united in marriage to Hattie Bell on January 26, 1885. Two sons were born to them, Van Lester, and Fern. The latter dying in infancy. After the wife died, little seven-year-old Van Was cared for most tenderly for five years by his aunt, Mrs. Carrie Bell, until Mr. Beer was married to Mary Randolph, April 5, 1899, who became to Van all that a real mother could be. To this second union three children were born, Clifford who died at an early age, a daughter who also died in infancy, and Harry Madison, who lives to mourn the loss of a good father.

Mr. Beer was a member of the Christian church and for many years was a member of the I.O.O.F. and the Rebekah Lodge. For four years he served the town as city marshal.

The near relatives who mourn his going are his wife, Mary Beer, his two sons, Van of Valley Junction, and Harry of Maquoketa, and their wives; his brothers, Charles, of Bend, Oregon, and Walter, of Keosauqua; his only sister, Mrs. Carrie Bell, of Keosauqua; two grandchildren, Francis and Wilda Beer and one great granddaughter, Beverly Jean Beer, of Valley Junction.

He will be greatly missed in town, but especially so in his own neighborhood for he was a most kind neighbor and friend. Devotion to his home, family and friends was an outstanding trait of his character. Honesty, faithfulness and strait dealing were other characteristics. He was dependable. If he promised a thing, it was done. Four weeks before his death he went to his work for the last time. Since then through almost unbearable suffering he has had most faithful care from his devoted wife and other dear ones, but neither their love nor the skill of physicians could stay the ravages of disease and he "entered into Rest, God having provided some better thing for him."

Source: Van Buren Co. Genealogical Society Obituary Book E, Page 29, Keosauqua Public Library, Keosauqua, IA