Person:Paul Beezley (2)

Information from RootsWeb.com, Doug Beezley site:

Biographical History of Pottawattamie County, 1901

Paul Beezley has been a resident of this county since 1879. He was born in Shelby County, Ohio, March 24, 1839, the son of John and Elizabeth (Ellsworth) Beezley. His mother was a distant relative of Colonel Ellsworth, who was killed in Virginia. Mr. and Mrs. Beezley reared a family of nine children, Paul being the youngest. Captain William Beezley, a prominent citizen of Macedonia, a sketch of whom appears in this work, is their first born.

The subject of this sketch grew to manhood on his father's farm in Ohio, and received a common-school education. March 28, 1858 he was married, in his native county, to Miss Eleanor Lewis, a native of New Jersey, Daughter of Samuel and Catherine Lewis, also of New Jersey. The fruit of this union was two children: Elizabeth A., who died at the age of three years, and William, who is married, has one child and resides in Council Bluffs. The wife and mother, Eleanor Beezley, died May 10, 1866, in Shelby County, Ohio.

October 12, 1861, is the date of Mr. Beezley's enlistment in Company F,Twentieth Ohio Volunteer infantry, and he served until July 15, 1865. His regiment was in thirty-two battles, in the most of which he participated. Among them are the battles of Fort Donelson, Shiloh, Corinth,Pea Ridge, Black River Bridge, Jackson, Champion Hill, and in the engagements around Vicksburg until its surrender to General Grant, July 4, 1863. He was in a number of other important engagements, was with Sherman on his memorable march from Atlanta to the sea, and, finally, was with those who participated in the grand review at Washington. He was honorably discharged at Louisville, Kentucky, after which he returned to his home in Shelby County, Ohio

Mr. Beezley was married, September 28, 1867, at that place to Miss Jerusha Ann Simms, a native of Miami County, Ohio, daughter of C. K. Simms and Mary, his wife, both natives of New England. By his second marriage, Mr. Beezley had five children, viz: John, a resident of Pottawattamie County, Minnie, at home, Othello, also of this county, Mattie, a resident of Missouri, and Jesse, who died at the age of five years. Mrs Beezley died August 30, 1878. November 24, 1881, Mr. Beezley wedded his present wife, nee Miss Sophronia Field, a lady of intelligence and refinement, who was born and reared in Pottawattamie County, daughter of John and Sarah A. Field, of Wheel's Grove. By her he has three children: Rudy R., Vernon L., and Melissie Valentine.

Mr Beezley made his home in Shelby County until 1868, when he moved to Logan County, Illinois. In 1876 he removed from there to Mills County, Iowa and settled near Emerson. In 1879, he came to this county, and for two years lived near Macedonia. Then he came to his present farm, and has since made his home here. He owns eighty acres of well improved land, but his farming operations are not limited to this, as he also cultivates other lands. He keeps a large number of cattle and is very successful with his stock. Jordan Creek flows through his farm and affords a constant supply of water for stock purposes.

In his political views Mr. Beezley is a Republican. He is a member of William Layton Post at Oakland, and is also associated with Masonic fraternity, having been made a mason in Miami County, Ohio. He afterward joined at Emerson, and is now a member of Ruby Lodge. Mrs. Beezley is a member of the Methodist Episcopal Church.

• • • In addition to the above information, following is a partial quote from his obituary:

Oakland Acorn, Thursday May 6, 1915

DEATH'S HARVEST FOR PAST WEEK

Grim Reaper Has Been Unusually Busy

Ranks of the Grand Army of the Republic have Suffered by the Onslaught

Paul Beezley

Paul Beezley was the youngest child in a family of nine children and was born in Shelby County, Ohio, March 24, 1839, departed this life at his home in Oakland, Iowa,Monday evening May 3, 1915, aged 76 years, 1 month and 9 days.

The deceased had been a constant sufferer for many months,during which time he has borne his unflinchingly and with true Christian fortitude. During his illness, he has repeatedly borne testimony to his trust and confidence in Christ as the Son of God and his Savior. He was a man of wide acquaintance, loyal and upright citizen and good neighbor.

He leaves to mourn his departure the wife, children, sisters--Mrs. Jane Post of King City, MO and Mrs Hazel Russum of Haworth, Illinois and other relatives and many friends. Funeral services will be held this Thursday morning at eht M.E. church at 10 o'clock, conducted y Rev. M. R. Talley, assisted by P. H. Green. Favorite hymns will be song by members of the Christian church choir. Interment will be made in Macedonia cemetery.

From "History of Center Township, 1907"

The affairs of the township at present time are entrusted to the following named officers: Trustees, G. W. Gage, T. R. Strong and W. Storts, clerk, George H. Nash; assessor, Paul Beezley; justices of the peace Arthur Putnam; constable Ashur Heckman. The following named persons constitute the school board: President, J. A. Goehring; secretary, F. D. Gould; treasure, T. R. Strong.

1. ↑ Doug Beezley doug@@beezley.net.