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ELISHA BEATTY is a farmer residing on Muscatine Island, and was born in County Down, Ireland, in 1822. He was the second in a family of seven children born to John and Jane (Colvin) Beatty, who were natives of Ireland, where they resided until their death, which occurred a number of years ago. The boyhood days of our subject were spent upon a farm and in attendance at the public schools of his native land. He served a five-years apprenticeship as a pawnbroker, and then followed that occupation for six years afterward. His marriage with Eliza Jane Rosborough was celebrated in Ireland in 1847. She was a native of that country, and a daughter of James and Sarah (Dobbin) Rosborough, who emigrated to this country in 1850, settling in Muscatine, Iowa, where they lived until the time of their death, both of them dying a number of years ago, and were buried in the cemetery at Muscatine, Iowa.
After his marriage Mr. Beatty resided in his native land until 1850 when he set sail for America, starting from Liverpool in the sailing-vessel “Constellation,” and reaching the harbor of New York after a pleasant voyage of sixty days. He came directly to Iowa, settling in Muscatine, and the same year bought 102 acres of partly improved land. He immediately began its cultivation, and as time passed, by his economy and good management was enabled to add to his original purchase until he now owns 1,400 acres of grass, pasture and timber land. His life as a farmer has been very successful, and everything about his place denotes thrift and energy. Mr. Beatty takes an active interest in political affairs, and casts his vote with the Republican party. He has held the office of Assessor for nineteen years, and has been a school officer for twenty-five years. Mr. Beatty’s fellow-citizens showed their confidence in him during the war by electing him to seven public offices at one time, all of which he filled with the utmost fidelity. He also aided in the reorganization of the township about the year 1858.
In 1852 the death of Mrs. Beatty occurred after a short illness. Three children were born of their union, two of whom are living: John C., who is still single, and James Q., who is married, and lives upon a farm near the old homestead. In 1861 Mr. Beatty was again married, the union being celebrated in Muscatine, and Mrs. Catherine Wamsley becoming his wife. She was the widow of Abraham Wamsley, and a daughter of Abbott and Edan (Carder) Carder, who were natives of Virginia. Mrs. Beatty came to Iowa in 1848 with her husband, and settled in Muscatine, where Mr. Wamsley followed blacksmithing. The city was then called Bloomington, and consisted of two or three small stores. By her first marriage she is the mother of five living children, and has laid three away to rest. In the year 1855 she first became acquainted with Mr. Beatty, but their marriage was not celebrated until 1861. They have no children, but for twenty-seven years they have trodden life’s journey together, having mutual confidence one in the other and enjoying each other’s love.
Mr. Beatty has lived to see almost the entire growth of Louisa County. There were but few other settlers on the island when he took up his residence there, and he is the only one of the pioneers who is still a resident. The island is very productive, the soil being a black, sandy loam, very rich, and especially adapted to the raising of melons and sweet potatoes. Mr. Beatty’s residence is situated on the bank of the Mississippi River, in sight of Muscatine, which is only seven miles distant. He is a Government lighthouse keeper, having three lights under his charge, one of which is situated on his land. A school-house is also situated near his home, and . . .
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. . . the district includes about ten sections, from which they draw public tax. Mr. Beatty is practically one of the self-made men of the county, having gained all he possesses by his untiring energy and zeal. He also takes an active interest in every enterprise for the good of the township and county in which he resides. Mrs. Beatty is a member of the Baptist Church, while Mr. Beatty is a member of the Methodist Protestant Church, and served as Secretary of its Board of Trustees. The church is situated on the island in Muscatine County.
A portrait of Mr. Beatty appears in connection with this sketch.
