Alma Enterprise, Friday, August 1, 1919, page 1:
A Kansas Pioneer Gone
W.K. Beach of Mission Creek
It was with much sorrow that the Enterprise received the phone message Wednesday morning that W.K. Beach had died at his beautiful country home at Keene Tuesday at midnight, after a lingering illness of about two years. It was not unexpected for in visiting near his home Sunday we learned how low and weak he was and that a nurse had come last week to care for him. He spent last summer in Colorado and expected to go again this summer but was not strong enough to stand the trip.
There are few men in the county who have been here as long as Mr. Beach. He was born in Sharon, O., Nov. 12, 1847, and came to Kansas with his parents 10 years later and his home has since been on the farm near Mission Creek where he died.
His father, Dr. S.E. Beach, joined the Union army when the Civil War broke out and died in the service of his country. His mother, "Aunt Jane," as she was lovingly called by all who knew her, lived to a ripe old age and died only a few years ago. Their home was hospitably open to all in those early days and W.K. being the oldest, was the head of the home.
On Feb. 22, 1878, he was married to Miss Flora Anderson, who survives him, together with the two children, Mrs. Edna Tomson of Wakarusa and Sam who is at home. His brother, J.M. Beach, lives at Maple Hill, and his sister, Mrs. Etta Snyder, has made her home in Topeka since leaving Dover a few years ago.
From 1905 to 1909 Mr. Beach served this county as one of the Board of Commissioners and the county has had few better ones. He was the soul of honor, a loyal friend, a worthy high class citizen, a helpful, kind neighbor, a competent honest official and a friend whom we will all greatly miss.
His funeral will be held today, (Friday) at 2 p.m. from his late home with Rev. Green of Dover in charge.
