Biographies

IRA W. BEATY was born on the farm where he is now living, on section 17, Rozetta Township, Henderson County, on the 7th of October, 1834, and is justly numbered among the honored pioneers of the community. Few men have longer resided in this locality. He has witnessed almost its entire growth and development, has seen its wild lands transformed into beautiful homes and farms, and watched with interest the advance of progress and civilization, which has placed the county among the foremost in this great commonwealth.

The father of our subject, William Beaty, was a native of Virginia. When a young man he left that State, removing to Ohio, and some years later he became a resident of Indiana, where he remained until the spring of 1830, when he came to Henderson County, locating at the fort about two miles from his present farm. In the same spring he made a claim, becoming owner of one hundred and sixty acres of land on section 17, Rozetta Township, where our subject now resides. He paid the usual Government price, $1.25 per acre, and at once began clearing it of the timber with which it was largely covered. He erected a log cabin, 18x22 feet, and this primitive home is still standing, one of the few landmarks of pioneer days that yet remain. At that time the Indians still lived in the neighborhood, and frequently occasioned considerable trouble with the settlers.

Mr. Beaty served in the Black Hawk War, which resulted in driving the red men from this locality. He made a trip with ox-teams to St. Louis for provisions, and experienced many of the other difficulties of frontier life. In an early day he was interested in the organization of the township, aided in laying out the roads, and in organizing the first school of the neighborhood. He held the office of School Treasurer and School Director, supported the Republican party, and was a member of the Cumberland Presbyterian Church.

Mr. Beaty was twice married. He first wedded Mary Pence, and to them were born three children: David, Rachel, and Ezra, who is now deceased.

After the death of his first wife, he married Jane T. Russell, and they had six children: Ira; Eli., of Mediapolis, Iowa; John and George, both deceased ; Sarah, who died in 1872; and Mary, who died in infancy.

The father of this family passed away May 18, 1868, and his remains were interred in the Baptist Cemetery of Rozetta Township. His wife is still living, in her eighty-eighth year.

Within the boundaries of the home farm Ira W. Beaty passed his boyhood days midst play and work. His education was acquired in the subscription schools, which he attended until nineteen years of age, when he and his brothers took charge of the old homestead. In connection with his brother George, he owns the original tract of one hundred and sixty acres, and has an addition to this land to the amount of one hundred and fifty-three acres. The entire farm is under the personal supervision of our subject. The land is a valuable tract, under a high state of cultivation, and is improved with all the accessories and conveniences of a model farm. In connection with general farming he also carries on stock-raising.

During the late war, Ira Beaty manifested his loyalty to the Government by enlisting in the Union sendee, on the 8th of August, 1862, as a private of Company K, Eighty-fourth Illinois Infantry. He was mustered in at Biggsville, and going to the front took part in the battles of Perryville, Stone River, Woodbury, Chickamauga, Lookout Mountain, Missionary Ridge, Ringgold, Dalton, Buzzard's Roost, Resaca, Burnt Hickory, Kennesaw Mountain, Smyrna, Atlanta, Jonesboro, Lovejoy, Franklin and Nashville, and many others of lesser importance. When the war was over he was honorably discharged from the sendee in Springfield, Ill., June 8, 1865.

His brother George, who was six years his junior, was always his companion through life. They attended school together, enlisted the same time, in the same company, and were in all the battles together. When the war was over they returned home and then engaged in business together.

George was married February 29, 1872, to Miss Susan Helton, and they all lived upon the same farm, the brothers continuing their business partnership until the death of George Beaty, March 28, 1892. He was laid to rest beside his parents, and many warm friends mourned his loss, for he lived an honorable, upright life, and all who knew him respected him. His widow is still living on the old homestead.

Ira W. Beaty holds membership with the Grand Army of the Republic, and the Masonic fraternity.

In politics, he has been a Republican since the organization of the party.

He possesses a good business and executive ability, and in his career he has met with prosperity, becoming one of the substantial citizens of the community. He also manifests an interest in everything pertaining to the welfare of the locality, for the advancement and the progress of his native county are dear to him. George was also a member of the Grand Army of the Republic, in good standing.

From the Portrait and biographical record of Hancock, McDonough and Henderson counties, Illinois : containing biographical sketches of prominent and representative citizens of the county (1894)
May, 1894. Lake City Publishing Co.