ALBERT M. BEAL M.D.

Albert M Beal., M. D., who, in many lines, is one of the stable and representative citizens of Moline , a leader in his profession, prominent in public affairs and concerned in numerous important business undertakings, was born in Zuma township, Rock Island county. October 31, 1853 . and is a son of Daniel N. and Betsey (Spencer) Beal. Daniel Beal was born at Peaeham , Vt. , a son of Samuel and Rachel (Wells) Beal. and was left an orphan when live years old. He found a home with strangers and was reared on a farm, alternating his labors thereon by attending the common schools. At the a ge of nineteen years he left his adopted home to fight the battles of life for himself, directing his steps westward.

For a time he was en gaged in driving horses on the Erie canal to Buffalo , subsequently taking a steamboat there and after reaching Detroit , Mich. , walked to Rock Island county, the trip consuming about two weeks. For some two years following he worked for different employers and then purchased 160 acres of land on section 18. Zuma township, which he improved and to which he added 108 acres, making a total of 268 acres. He also acquired property in South Moline and in the course of years became recognized as one of the county's most substantial men. Politically. he was a republican. and while not a man who sought office, never shirked a duty imposed upon him by the people of the township in which he lived and served with credit in the following offices: for twelve years as assessor; for four years as supervisor; two years as school trustee. and three years as road commissioner.

As men­tioned above he was born in New England, on February 5, 1815, he reached Rock Island county in 1834 and on September 18, 1836, was married to Betsey Spencer, also born in Vermont, January 1. 1817. and four children were born to the above union : Lucius W., January 20, 1838 ; Samuel S., January 2, 1843 ; Albert Milton; and Eunice C., November 5, 1858 . Albert Milton Beal spent his boyhood days upon his father's farm and besides attending the district schools he was also a student in the schools of Port Byron and Rock Island . At the early age of seventeen years he began teaching at what is now Barstow and later entered the Western college of Iowa . When his preparatory studies were completed he was graduated with the class of 1870, taking the degree of B. A. During the following year he was principal of the schools of Hampton . Ill. In 1871 he received the degree of M. A. from his alma mater. which, in that year, was removed to Toledo , Ia. , and at that time Dr. Beal received a call to its chair of physics and chemistry, which he accepted and held that position for twelve years. Previously, however, he had read law and was admitted to the bar in 1879. From 1876 until 1879 he had additional responsibilities as assistant to the president of the Moline Water Company. In 1890 he decided to fit himself for the practice of medicine and began to attend a regular course of lectures in the Col­ lege of Physicians and Surgeons at Des Moines , Ia. . at the same time being engaged in giving lectures on. chemistry. During 1891 - 2 he served as president of Western college with the understanding that he was still to carry on his chosen studies, and in 1894 he was graduated from the College of Physicians and Surgeons and immediately began practice at Toledo, Ia., a few months later. in December, coming to Moline, where he has continued.

Dr. Beal is a member of the Illinois and Iowa Central District Medical Association, and of the Illinois State Medical Association, and was the first president of the Rock Island Medical Society that was recognized by law. Dr. Beal has many other interests. He is president of the Mechanics and Merchants Bank of Moline; is vice-president of the Root Vandervort Engi­neering Company, and is president of the Moline board of education, of which body he has been a member for thirteen years. He has always been an ardent republican, casting his first vote for Rutherford B. Hayes for president. While a resident of Toledo. Ia.. he served three con­secutive terms as mayor. resigning upon his re­moval to Des Moines, and was the first clerk of South Moline township, Rock Island county.

At Andalusia. Dr. Beal was married, October 31, 1876. to Miss Etta Thompson. of that place. who died November 11, 1880. She was a daughter of Henry S. and Mary (Buffum) Thompson. One daughter survived her. Mamie. who was born at Moline, October 18, 1878, and is a graduate of the Toledo, Ia.. high school. Dr. Beal was married (second) January 1. 1884, to Miss Carrie E. Middlekauff, who was born in Ogle county, III a daughter of Daniel and Elizabeth (Jones) Middlekauff. Dr. and Mrs. Beal have had five children, namely : Etta Grace, born at Toledo. February 15, 1885; Daniel, born August 21. 1886; Althea. born October 15, 1888; Albert Milton, born at Toledo and died at the age of one year, March 19. 1892, at Des Moines; and Walter Hubert, born September 12, 1894. At the age of sixteen years. Dr. Beal became a member of the United Brethren church and at Toledo served as superintendent of the Sunday school. Some time after coming to Moline he identified himself with the First Congregational church. Fraternally, he is connected by membership with the Knights of Pythias and the Modern Woodmen of America.

 

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