My parents, John Franklin BEAL, son of Adam BEAL and Catherine FERTIG, and Eva Mae KING, daughter of Mary and Samuel KING, were married and resided north of Benton, east of Asa RAINES' corner, on the north side of the road, at a place called the old church hill, formerly owned by George FERTIG. My sister, Ruth, was born there; also, Birdie and my brother, Harold.

Dad helped Dee HAVILAND run a saw mill, and aso helped Bill FERTIG in vet work to make extra money.

living in San Antonio, Texas. In this house the following children were born: Lela; Roy; Don, who lived just eight years; Lee; and twins, Paul and Pauline, who died just three hours after birth.

Around 1917, Dad had started his own business of putting up J.F. BEAL Windmills and putting lightning rods on buildings. He bought the farm just west of the small house which was owned by the GUNTERS. The farm had one hundred and one acres. It was at this farm that I, Esther BEAL, was born in 1920. My sister, Lorene, was also born there. Dad enjoyed his timber and kept it looking like a park, and I think they had Fairs down there. I lived all my younger life in Benton,and graduated from the Benton School in 1937.

Larry, my son, still resides in Benton, across the street from the folks' house, as his deceased father and I bought it from Gladys CARSON. Keith was the last of our family to graduate from the Benton School, as it was torn down the next year. I now live in Kellerton with my husband, Dean JACKSON.

NOTE: Adam BEAL died at the age of 74 years, 6 months and 13 days on July 14, 1919. Catherine (FERTIG) BEAL died at the age of 84 years, 11 months and 9 days on September 1, 1937.

SOURCE: 1887 - Benton, Iowa Centennial - 1987. Pp. 191-92. Courtesy of Mount Ayr Public Library, Mount Ayr IA

Transcriptions and notes by Sharon R. Becker, October of 2012

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