H. C. BECKWITH
Page 428
H. C. BECKWITH
Page 428
 H. C. BECKWITH resides on sections 9, 10, and 16, Kilbourne Township, Mason County, where he owns two hundred and fifty-three acres of finely improved land and on hundred and fifty-five acres on section 17, which he devotes to diversified crops. The buildings which have been erected upon the estate are neat and substantial, sufficiently commodious for their respective uses, and include every necessary and convenient edifice. Mr. Beckwith pursues his calling with zeal and intelligence, winning from the soil an abundant share of the various grains which he cultivates, and in this way securing for himself and family all the comforts and many of the luxuries of life. Our subject was born in Crawford County, this state, April 25, 1841, and is a son of Elijah Beckwith, a native of Elmira County, N. Y. The latter came to Illinois in an early day, and in 1850 took up his residence in Havana Township, this county, on a farm which he made his home until his departure for Nebraska. There his death took place in Custer County January 31, 1893, when in his seventy-fourth year. The paternal grandfather of our subject, Benjamin Beckwith, was also a native of the Empire State and served as a soldier in the Mexican War. He, too, located at an early day in Crawford County, this state, where he spent the remainder of his life. His father was an Englishman by birth, and coming to America during the Revolutionary War, served as an officer in the Continental army during that period. The maiden name our subject's mother was Emily Seaney; she was born in Crawford County and there lived until 1850, when she accompanied her husband to this county She is still living and makes her home in Kansas. H. C. was the eldest of the parental family of three children and was a lad of nine years at the time of his parents' removal to this county. His primary education was carried on first in the subscription, and later in the public schools near his home. He was thoroughly trained to farm pursuits and began following the plow at the very early age of nine years. H. C. Beckwith and Miss Sarah E. Heston were united in marriage November 30, 1865. The lady was born in Chester County, Pa., and came to this state in 1853. The young couple after their union located on the farm which Mr. Beckwith owned and for which he paid by working out at sixty cents a day. He is the proud possessor of two hundred and fifty-three acres on sections 9, 10, and 16, and one hundred and fifty-five acres on section 17, making in all a handsome property of four hundred and eight acres. As a matter of course he has been very much prospered in his farming ventures and is very successful in every branch of agriculture. To Mr. and Mrs. Beckwith have been born three sons and one daughter. The latter, Lizzie, is the wife of Jesse Craggs and lives in Kilbourne Village. The sons are Henry A., Howard P. and Charles F. In politics our subject is a stanch Democrat and held the office of Supervisor in his township two terms, for nine years was School Director, and was Highway Commissioner for many terms, in each capacity winning laurels as an efficient public servant. He is a Director of the Farmers' Mutual Insurance Company, and as a reliable citizen and intelligent man commands respect from those about him. |