From: "Biographical Review of Cass, Schuyler and
Brown Counties, Illinois 1892", by Biographical Review Publishing
Company, Chicago, Illinois; pages 203, a reprinted by Stevens
Publishing Co., Astoria, Ill., 1971, is sold by the Schuyler County
Historical Society, Rushville, Illinois.
E. Walker Beckwith was one of the early settlers of Bainbridge
township, Schuyler county, Illinois, and is entitled to recognition as
a member of that worthy band of men and women who penetrated the
wilderness of the frontier, and made the way for the onward march of
progress. He was born at Stephentown, Rensselaer county, New York,
August 17, 1798, and is a son of Elisha Beckwith, a native of New
England, and grandson of Elisha Beckwith, Senior; the latter was a
sailor and followed the sea for many years, visiting the principal
ports of the world; he spent his last years in Chenango county, New
York. The father of our subject was reared to agricultural pursuits;
from Stephentown he removed to Chenango county, New York, where he was
one of the early settlers; he bought a tract of timber land there, and
erected a log house; he cleared a farm, made many valuable
improvements, and spent his last years in that home. He married Mary
Walker, a daughter of James Walker; she survived him many years, coming
to Illinois after his death; she died in Hancock county.
E. Walker Beckwith grew to manhood among the primitive
surroundings of Chenango county, New York; there were no railroads, and
Albany was the principal market town; the mother spun and wove the
cloth with which her children were clothed. Here he remained until he
was about twenty-six years of age, and then pushed his way to Ohio;
after a year spent in that State he went to Indiana, and while a
resident of the Hoosier State was engaged in various occupations; he
once made a trip on a flat-boat, loaded with produce, to New Orleans.
He lived in Indiana seven years, and then came to Illinois, locating in
Schuyler county; as before stated, he was one of the early settlers in
Bainbridge township, and with the exception of four years spent in
Hancock county, Illinois, this has been his home for the past forty
years.
He married Mary Waugh, a native of Kentucky and a daughter of
Thomas and Sally Waugh. She died in 1886. Of this union five children
were born: James, Charles, Norman, Stephen and Emily J. Stephen resides
on the home farm, and has the management of the same; he married
Elizabeth Kline, May 8, 1884, and they are the parents of three
children: Olie T., Fidelia and Minnie E.
Mr. Beckwith is a consistent member of the Baptist Church, as
was also his wife. He is a man of honor and integrity, and has the
respect of the entire community.
