Untitled Document

DAVID BEATSON.

David Beatson, living on section 14, Burritt township, where he is successfully engaged in the cultivation of a farm of two hundred and eight acres, was born on the 12th of April, 1848, in the town of Florida. Montgomery county, New York. His father. William Beatson, was a native of Scotland, born in December, 1811, and in early youth he crossed the Atlantic, becoming a resident of New York state. In 1849 he removed from New York to Illinois, arriving in Burritt township in the fall, accompanied by his family, at which time he settled on section 23, now known as the McSweaney farm.

There he lived until the spring of 1873, when the present home was purchased. He devoted his entire life to agri cultural pursuits and passed away on the 7th of June, 1883, in Rockford. His wife, who was born in March. 1814, died in Rockford on the 7th of June, 1896. In addition to our subject their children were as follows : George, born in Scotland, November 27, 1836, died in Rockford, September 20, 1898, leaving a widow and eight children. John, born in Scotland in 1839, is now living in Rockford. but his wife died in April, 1905, leaving four daughters. Jeannette, born in Scotland. April 7, 1841, is the widow of E. H. Wemple and is living in Rockford with her three children. Ellen, born in New York in 1846, died on the old home farm in this county in 1865. Agnes, born in New York in 1846, is the wife of Louis M. Hickox. of Rockford, and they have four sons. David is the next of the family. Caroline. who was born in Burritt township in 1850, is the wife of J. N. Lillie, a resident of Rockford, and they have six children. Julia, born in 1852, is living in Rockford.

David Beatson, whose name introduces this record. was little more than a year old when brought by his parents to Winnebago county and upon the home farm in Burritt township he was reared. He continued with his parents until twenty years of age, when he went to the west and was employed on the construction of the Union Pacific Railroad Company in Wyoming and Utah. He remained there until November, 1868, when he went to Colorado, where he resided until September. 1869. He then returned to Illinois. where he continued until the early winter of 1872. at which time he made his way to Kansas and took up a homestead claim from the government. After proving up this property he again took up his abode in Burritt township, living with his parents until the spring of 1873. He then went to California. where he spent a little more than a year and returning to Winnebago county in 1874 he has since continuously devoted his attention to agricultural pursuits here, having now a valuable farm of two hundred and eight acres of very rich and productive land, which he has placed under a high state of cultivation and which returns to him golden harvests each year.

On the l0th of January, 1877, Mr. Beatson was united in marriage to Miss Emma Comstock, a daughter of Levi and Matilda Comstock, of Burritt. Her father was born May 3. 1812, and died in Rockford. June 24, 1884, while his wife, whose birth occurred in Berkshire county. Massachusetts, August 15, 1810, died in 1898 at the home of her daughter, Mrs. Beatson.

The latter was born in Saratoga county, New York, August 17, 1850, and was brought by her parents to this county in 1859, since which time she has lived in Burritt township. Mr. and Mrs. Beatson have become the parents of four children: Clyde E., horn November 28, 1878; Ethel M., who was born October 29, 1879, and was married on the 9th of March, 1904, to Frank Kasch, a resident farmer of Durand township Earl H., born April 1, 1884; and Irene, born February 17, 1889.

In his political affiliation Mr. Beatson is a republican, interested in the success of his party, and he gives inflexible support to its principles. He has served as a school director for the past nine years and the cause of education finds in him a friend, whose labors have been effective in promoting the welfare of the schools.

History of Winnebago County-1877

Illinois Ancestors