BEARDSLEY, William: Died 1914

BEARDSLEY, EVANS, PRICE, SHEPHERD, SHANE

Posted By: Volunteer: Sherri
Date: 9/27/2016 at 10:39:44

Obituary of William Beardsley.

William Beardsley, son of Benjamin and Elizabeth Beardsley, was born in Ilkston, Derbyshire, England, October 15, 1850, and was the youngest of six children.

At the age of nineteen years he came to American, stopping for a time at Lisbon, Ohio, and after traveling around for a time settled in Beacon, Iowa, in the year 1872, engaging in the drug business, where he resided for thirty one years.

In October, 1903, he came to Birmingham and engaged in the drug, oil and paint business.

He was married to Mrs. Mary Ann Evans in Ottumwa, Iowa, during the year 1871. She died in April, 1896, leaving three children by her first marriage, namely - Mrs. Pet Price now deceased, J.W. Evans of Robert, Idaho, and Mrs. Belle Shepherd of La Lolia, Cal.

He was again married to Miss Carrie B. Shane in Selma, Iowa, June 18, 1898. Two children was the fruits of this union - Carribelle and William Shane.

He departed this life after an illness of two weeks at his home in Birmingham, Dec. 10, 1914.

In resisting a fire which burned his store at Beacon, he sustained grave physical injuries from which he did not fully recover.

He was a member of Birmingham Lodge No. 56, Ancient Free and Accepted Masons.

Mr. Beardsley was a fine English gentleman, possessing a fine intellect, was a great reader and well posted on all current events, and possessed many commendable traits of character. As a business man, a citizen and a friend he will be greatly missed by the entire community.

Mrs. Beardsley and the children will have the profound sympathy of all who knew them.

Short funeral services were conducted at the home by Rev. Lambert of the M.E. church, Saturday at 9:00 a.m., singing by the Williams' quartet. There was a large assemblage of his neighbors and friends, and a profusion of flowers. The remains were then taken to his former home, where services were held, and his remains were laid to rest beside his first wife. The procession from the home to the depot was composed of seventy carriages, led by seventy-five men on foot. He was a charter member of the Beacon lodge, I.O.O.F.

Source: Van Buren Co. Genealogical Society Obituary Book G, Page 215, Keosauqua Public Library, Keosauqua, IA