Page 644

 

GEORGE S. BEACH

 

There are few citizens of Taylor county who more richly merit the title of a self-made man than does George S. Beach, who occupies a foremost rank among the prominent and progressive agriculturists and business men of Grove township.  A native of New York, he was born in Herkimer county on the 15th of December, 1853, and he continued to make his home in the Empire State until ten years of age.  In 1863 he came west with his mother to Illinois, taking up his abode in Monmouth with an uncle, General Harding, by whom he was reared to manhood.  General Harding was a very prominent man in his locality, having served one or more terms in congress from the Monmouth congressional district.  He was colonel of the Eighty-third Illinois Volunteer Infantry during the Civil war and was in command during the second battle of Fort Donelson.

 

Mr. Beach acquired his early education in the schools of Monmouth and later, upon reaching years of maturity, was employed by his uncle to manage his farming interests.  Later he attended school in Chicago and studied law with a cousin in that city, and upon the completion of his legal course was admitted to the bar.  Returning to Monmouth he again took charge of his uncle's farms, being thus engaged until the time of his marriage, after which, in 1876, he came to Iowa and purchased two hundred and forty acres of land in Taylor county.  The following year he established his home upon that farm and set about its further development.  Systematic, methodical and progressive in his methods, he so carefully managed his affairs that as the years passed he became very successful and was able to add to his original purchase from time to time until today his farm consists of five hundred (page 645) and sixty acres of valuable land on sections 35 and 36, Grove township, all of which is under a high state of cultivation.  In its midst stands a large and commodious farmhouse, surrounded by a neat and well kept lawn, and in the rear are found two substantial barns and good outbuildings.  He also has a fine orchard and grove of his own planting and has erected three sets of buildings upon the farm, all of which are comparatively new and in excellent condition.  The farm is one of the best improved properties in the locality, bespeaking in its attractive appearance the care and labor bestowed upon it by its owner and indicating the fact that he has ever kept in close touch with the modern spirit of progress which is manifest in agricultural lines.  For some years he has, in connection with his general farming, given considerable attention to raising and dealing in stock, making a specialty of breeding Galloway cattle, being the owner of a herd of pure-blooded registered stock, with a fine imported bull at its head.  He is also a breeder and dealer in pure blooded Shropshire sheep and Poland China hogs, and his stock interests have proved a very gratifying source of revenue to him.  That he has been eminently successful in his business affairs is indicated in the fact that aside from his extensive farming property he owns two good business houses in Lenox and two residences.

 

On the 12th of November, 1874, Mr. Beach was united in marriage to Miss Luella E. Cowan, a native of Illinois, having been born, reared and educated in Monmouth.  She is a daughter of William Cowan, a pioneer settler of Warren county, Illinois, removing to that state from Pennsylvania at an early date.  Mrs. Beach is a lady of many excellent traits of heart and mind, who has a large circle of warm friends in the community.  By her marriage to Mr. Beach she became the mother of eight children, the eldest, Alice E., having passed away in her sixth year.  The others are: George H., who is married and resides on one of his father's farms; one who died in infancy; Nellie L., who still resides under the parental roof; Effie J., the wife of Lee Jacoby, of Lenox; Edna M., the twin sister of Effie J., who became the wife of Harry Holbrook, of Concordia, Kansas; Luella E., who wedded James Cottrell, a prominent farmer of Platte township, Taylor county; and Clifford S., who is a student at Ames College.

 

Fraternally Mr. Beach is a Royal Arch Mason, belonging to the blue lodge at Lenox and the chapter at Corning, having served as senior deacon in the former for several years, while he and his wife and three children are members of the Eastern Star.  In politics he gave his allegiance to the republican party for a number of years, but recently has become rather independent in his views, being governed at the polls by the character of the men and measures rather than by party ties.  He has been called to positions of honor and trust, a fact that clearly indicates the confidence reposed in him by his fellow citizens.  He was elected assessor of Grove township and served in that capacity for ten years, and has been sent as a delegate to numerous state, county and congressional conventions.

 

During his residence in Taylor county, which extends over a period of more than thirty years, Mr. Beach has taken an active and influential part in the work of progress and advancement which has been carried on within its borders and has come to be recognized as one of its most public-spirited and representative citizens.  Starting out in his business career in this county as a poor man, without capital or influence to aid him, he has, by indefatigable energy, untiring perseverance (page 646) and well directed efforts, made continuous progress in the business world, so that, with the aid of his estimable wife, he has accumulated much valuable property and is ranked among Taylor county's most substantial business men.  No man's history indicates more clearly the value and power of close application of concentration, of earnest and honorable purpose and of wise utilization of opportunity.