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PASSING OF A PIONEER
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Allison Becknell Spent Over Half a Century in This County.
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Sunday
afternoon, Nov. 20, 1910, saw one of the largest gatherings of its kind in the
history of this county, when hundreds of friends met at the late home of Allison
W. Becknell, near Stennett, to pay their last respects to a man who through 53
years of residence there had proved himself a man worthy the friendship of all
with whom he had dealings or was thrown in contact.
The funeral services were held at the home at 1 o’clock, Rev. W. W. Merritt, of
Red Oak, who had known Mr. Becknell during his entire residence in this county,
and Rev. T. J. Reznor, each delivering an address. Both delivered splendid
tributes to the character and worth of Mr. Becknell. There was music by the
choir of the Elliott Christian church. Friends who acted as pallbearers were
Paul P. Clark, J. J. Abbott, Geo. W. Pogue, Henry Sweger, Henry Ebert and Henry
Wright. The body was brought to Red Oak for burial in
Evergreen cemetery, the
accompanying cortege being nearly a mile in length.
Attendance at the funeral was in no wise confined to people living in the
neighborhood of Stennett, but included large numbers from Red Oak, Elliott, and
all parts of the county. It is doubtful if for a good many years there has been
a gathering of any kind where the attendance of Montgomery county pioneers has
been so general.
Mr. Becknell passed away, Wednesday, November 16, at about 12:20 o’clock,
noon, from illness with which he suffered for about five years. Two years ago a
stroke of paralysis proved the final breaking of his strength and since that
time he had been unable to attend to business matters but not until about four
weeks before his death did he take to his bed.
At the time of his death Mr. Becknell was in his 73d year. He was born in
Washington county, Indiana, January 20, 1838, and when nine years of age moved
to Iowa with his parents who located in Scott county. Two years later his mother
died, and the remainder of his boyhood days were spent with an uncle, Joseph
Mounts. Mr. Becknell came to Montgomery county first in 1857, returning to Scott
county for a few months, and then again to this county, in 1858. He purchased
from Jason Straight an 80 acre farm where he had since continuously made his
home, and upon which he died. Another piece of 20 acres and one of 40 acres were
added to the original farm in later purchases.
While Mr. Becknell was actively engaged in farming during the greater part of
the time, he was in the business of buying livestock for many years. He first
associated with Wm. Penn and Chas. Atwood in the firm of Becknell, Penn &
Atwood, and later engaged with Wayne Stennett, at Stennett and Red Oak, and with
Henry Reynolds at Elliott.
Since young manhood Mr. Becknell had been a staunch Democrat. In 1887 Mr.
Becknell was a candidate on the Democratic ticket for member of the board of
supervisors. At the election he received 216 more votes than the Democratic
candidate for lieutenant governor received, he running ahead of the party ticket
in every precinct but two. He carried his home township of Sherman by a majority
of 82, the total vote of the township being 224.
At the time of Mr. Becknell’s arrival in Montgomery county it was sparsely
settled, and he made the acquaintance of all the pioneers. With them he stood
well and among them universal respect was accorded him. As the country became
more thickly populated, he kept in touch with the new comers and only those who
arrived here after he was a man of past middle age, were outside the circle of
acquaintance and friendship. In business, in politics and in social intercourse,
he was a man in whom all could find virtues worthy of the upright, fair-minded
man that he was.
On February 10, 1861, he was married to Miss Nancy J. Stennett, at the home of
Wayne Stennett the bride’s brother, in Stennett. Nine children were born to
them, twins, a son and daughter, dying in infancy. Mrs. Becknell and seven
children survive. The children are Mrs. Josie Mick of Stennett, Mrs. Maggie
Smith of Falls Creek, Pa., E. E. Becknell of West township, Mrs. Ida Thomas of
Murray, Mrs. Ella Sandquist of Stennett and Henry M. and Miss Anna Becknell, who
made their home with their parents. All were in attendance at the funeral except
Mrs. Smith, who could not come. Three sisters, Mrs. Luther Clark of Seattle,
Wash., Mrs. Samantha Hughes of St. Joseph, Mo., and Mrs. Bell Henderson of
Omaha, and a half-brother, H. Becknell of Chandler, Okla., also survive him.
Mrs. Henderson was here for the funeral and Mrs. Clark left about two weeks ago,
having been here during Mr. Becknell’s illness. Mr. and Mrs. Daniel Cole, Mr.
Cole, a nephew, were here from Hancock, Iowa, and Oscar Harlan was here from
Kearney, Neb., also.
The
following is a part of Rev. Merritt’s tribute to the memory of Mr. Becknell:
REV. MERRITT’S TRIBUTE.
A good man has fallen in life’s battle. He has been a familiar figure in this
community during the entire history of Montgomery county. A pioneer of the
pioneers, and has contributed in no small way to the various lines of progress
in the up building of the county.
He was industrious and diligent in business, commanding the confidence and
respect of those with whom he had business relations. He was the noblest work of
God, an honest man, and nearing life’s close he found satisfaction, and pleasure
in the reflection, as he expressed it “of never having knowingly wronged a human
being.”
He died in confidence in a power too wise to err and too good to be unkind.
The golden rule was his law and gospel; this was more to him than any abstract
theories expressed in the creeds of men.
Men of his type conserve the best interest of society, Mr. Becknell was
charitable, tolerant, of broad and liberal views; a good neighbor, a kind
husband and father.
He will be greatly missed in this community. After an acquaintance and
friendship of more than half a century, I bear testimony and indulge in no undue
eulogy.
J. A. Shuey, a friend of many years, says in tribute to Mr. Becknell, “After
an acquaintance of more than 40 years, I am pleased to say that Allison Becknell
was one of God’s noblemen, plain, honest, sincere and unassuming, having what
may be called the homely virtue in full measure. His estimate of his fellows was
based in their acts, not on their professions. He was cordial in his friendship,
and will be greatly missed by the community. Because of his pure heart and
correct life, the Lord has owned him and taken him into eternal rest.”
THE SUN, Red
Oak, Iowa, Friday, November 25, 1910. |
