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JOSEPH W. BEAUCHAMP, M. D.

 

Dr. Joseph W. Beauchamp, holding to high ideals in the practice of his profession, has made a most creditable record as a physician and surgeon of Bedford.  He was born in Bloomfield, Iowa, November 7, 1851, a son of Levi and Mary J. (Price) Beauchamp.  The former is a native of Delaware and has been a resident of Iowa since 1846.  His parents were Joseph and Sarah (Anderson) Beauchamp, also natives of Delaware, and the family is of English lineage.  In early manhood Joseph Beauchamp turned his attention to the occupation of farming, which he made his life work.  In 1846 he arrived in Iowa and spent his last days in Davis county, this state, where he died at an old age.

 

Levi Beauchamp is now following farming near Pulaski, Iowa.  He, too, arrived in this state in 1846 and he now lives on the farm which he entered from the government more than a half century ago.  He first secured one hundred and sixty acres as a claim and from time to time he purchased other land until his holdings were quite extensive but he has now disposed of much of this, (page 453) retaining possession of about three hundred acres.  He is a well read man, always keeping thoroughly informed concerning current events, political questions and subjects bearing upon the national welfare.  At one time he was county commissioner and was also township assessor for a number of years.  He wedded Miss Mary J. Price, a native of Indiana, while her father was born in Kentucky and was of English descent.  He married a Miss Harper and at an early day they came to Iowa, settling within its borders before it had been admitted to the Union.  The Indians would pitch their tents in front of the Price home, which was situated in what is now Van Buren county.  As the years passed, however, Mr. Price bore an active and helpful part in reclaiming the district from the domain of the savages and converting it into one of the rich farming sections of the state.  He died there when about fifty years of age, while his widow reached a very advanced age.  They were the parents of three sons and three daughters but only two are now living: Mrs. Mary Jane Beauchamp; and Josephine, the wife of John Creeth, of Cantril, Iowa.

 

Both Mr. and Mrs. Levi Beauchamp are still living, maintaining their residence on the old home farm near Pulaski.  They are members of the Christian church and their many sterling qualities have gained them firm hold on the affections of those with whom they have been brought in contact.  Their family numbers nine children, seven sons and two daughters, namely:  Joseph W., of this review; William and James, who are residents of Pulaski, Iowa; Robert, who follows merchandising in Wanetta, Iowa; Edward D., a practicing physician of Bloomfield, Iowa; Emma, living in Bloomfield; Lizzie, the wife of Edward Matthews, a hardware merchant of Pulaski; Frank, who also makes his home in Bloomfield; and Charles, a druggist of Denver, Colorado.

 

Dr. Beauchamp was reared on his father's farm in Davis county, devoting the summer months to the work of the fields, while in the winter seasons he attended the district schools.  When he had mastered the branches of learning therein taught he continued his education in Troy Academy for two years, after which he was graduated.  He next entered the Wesleyan University at Mount Pleasant, where he continued for a year and then began teaching school but he regarded this merely as an initial step to other professional labor, it being his object to fit himself for the practice of medicine.  He began his studies under Dr. W. H. Sheldon, of Pulaski, Iowa, and subsequently entered the College of Physicians and Surgeons at Keokuk, where he completed the regular course and was graduated.  He entered upon active practice in West Grove, Iowa, where he remained for fifteen years and then came to Bedford in 1892.  Here he has practiced continuously since and in the intervening seventeen years has made for himself an enviable name and reputation in connection with the field of labor which he has chosen as his life work.  Wide reading and research keep him in touch with the onward march of the profession and he readily adapts any improved method which his judgment sanctions as of value in his professional labors.  He is of cheery presence and hopeful disposition and these qualities add not a little to the effectiveness of his work in the sick room.

 

On the 7th of December, 1880, Dr. Beauchamp was married to Miss M. P. Ewing, a daughter of William and Mary (Cunningham) Ewing.  Her parents were natives of Tennessee and became early settlers of Davis county, Iowa.  Her paternal grandfather was a native of Georgia but died in Tennessee when he had reached old age.  Her maternal grandfather was Samuel J. Cunningham, who was also born in Georgia and became an early settler of Iowa.  He devoted his life to farming and spent his last days in Davis county, many years being allotted to him ere he was called to the home beyond.  His wife bore the maiden name of Dovey Stinson and they reared a large family.

 

Mr. and Mrs. Ewing, the parents of Mrs. Beauchamp, became early settlers of Davis county, where the latter died n 1871 at the age of forty-one years.  The former survived for about a decade and died in 1881 at the age of sixty.  They were the parents of six children who reached adult age: Flavius B., a resident of Lincoln, Nebraska; Mrs. Beauchamp; Quince, the wife of W. C. Huggins, of Granger, Washington; Margaret, the wife of William Smart, of Waskada, Manitoba; Jennie, the wife of S. P. Torrence, of Kearney, Nebraska; and Dona, the deceased wife of S. S. Smith of Ogden, Utah.

 

Mr. and Mrs. Beauchamp became the parents of three children: Bertha, who is the wife of Arnold W. Lauer and lives at Norman, Oklahoma; and Lenore and Harry, at home.  Mrs. Beauchamp is a member of the Presbyterian church and Dr. Beauchamp belongs to Taylor Lodge, No. 156, A. F. & A. M., and Triangle Chapter, No. 68, R. A. M.  He is a worthy exemplar of the craft and in is life displays the beneficent spirit which underlies the order.  His political support is given to the democracy and he served as county coroner in Davis county and was pension examiner under Cleveland.  In more strictly professional relations he is connected with the County and State Medical Societies, the Missouri Valley Medical Society, the Southwestern Iowa Medical Society and the American Medical Association.  He has given his life to a profession in which wealth or influence availeth little or naught to attain success.  Advancement must depend entirely upon the individual, his capabilities and his devotion to his work and Dr. Beauchamp belongs to that class of physicians who in the faithful performance of each day's duties find inspiration and encouragement for the labors of the succeeding day.  While well versed in his profession from a scientific standpoint, experience has also proven to him a valuable teacher and he is quick to master the lessons which are learned in that school.