J[ohn]. H. BEESON, farmer, section 19, Clinton Township, was born in Montgomery County, Ohio, October 28, 1829. His parents were Jesse and Mary (WOODHOUSE) BEESON, the former a native of North Carolina and the latter of Ohio. They reared three children - J. H., Margaret and Lucinda. When J. H. was five years of age he had the misfortune to lose his father by death. During his early life he worked on a farm and attended the common schools.

He was married March 28, 1850 [Montgomery County, Ohio], to Miss Eliza Ann WERTZ, born [March 26, 1830] in Darke County, Ohio, and reared in Miami County, daughter of John and Catharine (BARTMASS) WERTZ. A short time after his marriage he removed to Cass County, Indiana, where he remained three years; then removed to Fulton County where he resided until 1858; then came to Ringgold County and settled upon his present farm. He came by teams, and was on the road seven weeks.

In 1860 he built a log cabin on his land, 16 x 18 feet. In 1877 he built the house he now occupies. It is in modern style and well furnished. He has a good barn, 24 x 32 feet, native groves, a good orchard, and is engaged in general farming and stock-raising.

Mr. and Mrs. BEESON have six children - William Perry, Sarah Emeline, Mary Adaline, Francis Marion, Joseph Ashbury and Ora Alice. They have fifteen grandchildren.

Mr. BEESON has served as township trustee and member of the School Board. Politically he is a Republican. He started in life without means, but by industry, economy and good management he has acquired a good property. Postoffice, Mormontown [present-day Blockton].

NOTE: According to Dark County, Ohio marriage records, Jesse BEESON was married in 1829 to Mary WOOD.

Eliza's father John WERTZ was born circa 1798, and died in March of 1835, Darke County, Ohio. Eliza's mother Catharine (BARTMASS) WERTZ was John's second wife and were married May 26, 1829, Montgomery County, Ohio. Eliza was John and Catharine's eldest child, born circa 1830. Eliza had a sister, Emeline WERTZ, born circa 1832 in Ohio. Catharine (BARTMASS) WERTZ died prior to 1834. John married third on July 27, 1834 to Elizabeth FALER.

William Perry BEESON was born circa 1851, Indiana; Sarah Emeline BEESON was born circa 853, Indiana; Mary Adaline BEESON was born circa 1855, Indiana; Francis Marion BEESON was born circa 1857, Indiana; Joseph Asbury BEESON was born circa 1860, Iowa; and, Ora Alice BEESON was born circa 1863, Iowa.

John H. BEESON died on March 1, 1903, and Eliza Ann (WERTZ) BEESON died on July 18, 1907. They were interred at Rose Hill Cemetery, Blockton, Taylor County, Iowa.

Mary Adaline BEESON married James Henry MILLER. Their daughter Jessie Pearl MILLER married on September 19, 1900, to Jacob SAVILLE. Mary died in July of 1928. James died in May of 1924. Jacob died in April of 1949. Jessie was born March 11, 1882, Ringgold County, Iowa, and died October 19, 1960.

SOURCES:
Biography & Historical Record of Ringgold County, Iowa, Pp. 364-65, 1887.

Darke Co. OH Marriage Records, 1823-1829

Montgomery Co. OH Marriage Records, 1823-1829

1870 Federal Census, Clinton Township of Ringgold County, Iowa

WPA Graves Survey

Transcription and note by Sharon R. Becker, March of 2009

Biographical Sketches Pages Index: A - F,   G - L,   M - R,  S - Z