The Beechley Family of Linn County, Iowa

Among the prosperous and successful farmers of Linn township none stand higher in public esteem than Jesse Beechley, whose home is on section 25, while his farm of four hundred and fifty acres is situated on sections 25, 26, 35 and 36. A native of Pennsylvania, he was born in Somerset county, December 7, 1822, and is a son of Jacob K.

As printed in the source¹. Wording is the original; obvious scanning errors have been corrected, and a few may remain.

NATHANIEL K. BEECHLEY.

One of the active and enterprising business men of Cedar Rapids is Nathaniel K. Beechley, who is now engaged in the real estate and insurance business. He is a native of Linn county, born in Linn township, August 3, 1855, and is a worthy representative of one of its prominent pioneer families. His father, Jesse Beechley, was born in Somerset county, Pennsylvania, in 1822, and came to this county in 1852. He purchased four hundred acres of land in Linn township, for which he paid eight dollars per acre, and still retains the same. It is now well improved and under a high state of cultivation. The father of our subject has been thrice married, his first wife being Miss Harriet F. Craig, who was born near Tiffin, Ohio, in 1833, and it was in 1838 that she was brought to Linn county, Iowa, by her parents, Thomas and Margaret Craig, who were among the honored pioneers of Franklin township, where they spent the remainder of their lives. Her father died in 1860. He had a large family, of whom only three are now living, these being John, a resident of Shasta county, California; Mrs. S. Ellison and Irs. D. L. Boyd, both of Mt. Vernon, this county. Mrs. Beechley died in 1861 while visiting in Somerset county, Pennsylvania, leaving three children, namely: Nathaniel K., the subject of this sketch; Thomas C., who lives on the old homestead; and Margaret J., wife of A. A. Palmer, of Cedar Rapids. For his second wife the father married Delia Holcomb, by whom he had one son, Jesse H., also on the home farm. She died in i88q. In 1891 he married for his third wife Mrs. Louisa C. Goudy, who is still living. By his ballot the father supports the men and measures of the Republican party; has always been an active party worker, and has capable filled a number of minor offices in his township. He is a faithful member of the Dunkard church, and is highly respected and esteemed by all who know him.

Mr. Beechley, whose name introduces this sketch, was educated at Cornell College, l\lt. Vernon, where he pursued a classical course and was graduated in 1876. After leaving college he came to Cedar Rapids and entered the City National Bank, where he was employed as clerk and teller for ten years. In 1887 he opened an abstract office, having purchased a set of books, and was engaged in that business until 1899, when he sold out and turned his attention to the insurance and real estate business, writing fire insurance and representing some of the must reliable companies of the country.

In 1 8/9 Mr. Beechley married Aliss Mary B. Woods, who was born in Jackson county, Iowa, August 17, 1855. It was in 1844 that her father removed from Bath, New Hampshire, to Bellevue, Jackson county, and in 1889 came to Cedar Rapids, where he made his home until called to his final rest in August, 1900. His wife, who bore the maiden name of Lorette Woods, died in 1897. She was a native of St. Johnsbury, Vermont. In heir family were only two children, of whom Mrs. Beechhy is th older. Her brother, Frank A., is now engaged in Ijusiness in Des Moines. Our subject and his wife have one daughter, Lorette Jessie, who was born July 27, i88o, and took a classical course at Coe College, Cedar Rapids, where she was graduated in 1900. She is now a student at Bryn Mawr College of Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, pursuing a post graduate course.

As a Republican Mr. Beechley takes an active interest in political affairs, and has been a delegate to county and state conventions of his party, but has never been an office seeker. Fraternally he affiliates with Crescent Lodge, A. F. & A. M. He is one of the leading members of the First Presbyterian church, and is assistant treasurer of Coe College. For a quarter of a century he has been identified with the business interests of Cedar Rapids, and his life has ever been such as to win for him the confidence and high regard of those with whom he has been brought in contact.

101 IX McHUGH.

John Mcliugh. deceased, was for many years one of the leading farmers and highly respected citizens of Franklin township. He was born in county Sligo, Ireland, in June, 1825, and was educated in the national schools of that country, but his school privileges were \er_\- limited. At the age of nineteen years he emigrated to America, the voyage being made on a sailing vessel and lasting over two months. He landed in New York and soon obtained work on a fruit farm in New Jersey, though not far from the eastern metropolis, which was the market place for the farmers in the neighborhood. He remained there seven years, receiving four dollars per month for his services.

As printed in the source¹. Wording is the original; obvious scanning errors have been corrected, and a few may remain.