J. A. Beeler, of Liberty Township, Gage County, Nebraska, has been a resident of the state since 1870, and he is also one of the veterans of the Civil war. His enlistment took place at Mount Vernon, Kentucky, in April, 1862, when he entered the Eighth Tennessee Volunteer Infantry, Company C, and served two years and six months. In his first skirmish he was taken prisoner and confined at New Prospect, Tennessee, but later was transferred to Richmond, whence he made his escape. Owing to his terrible hardships, he was very ill after he managed to escape, but as soon as able he rejoined his regiment, which was then stationed at Fort Fisher, North Carolina. Later he was at Raleigh, that state, and finally honorably discharged June 30, 1865.
Mr. Beeler was born in Claiborne county, Tennessee, November 28, 1844, and is a son of Daniel Beeler, of Tennessee, who was a son of Peter Beeler. Daniel married Rachel Rogers, and she was a daughter of David Rogers. One of her brothers was one of the early settlers of Pawnee county, Nebraska. The parents of our subject died in Union county, Tennessee, the father at the age of fifty and the mother at seventy-three years of age. Two sons were soldiers: Daniel, of the Eighth Tennessee Regiment; and J. A.
While residing in Tennessee, J. A. Beeler married Elizabeth Honeycut, of the same state, who died in Gage county, leaving four children, namely: Sally, Matilda, Rebecca and Daniel. The second wife of Mr.
Beeler was Esther Lynch, also born in Tennessee, and she is a daughter of J. B. and Anna Lynch. By his second marriage our subject has these children, namely: John, Eli, Bertha, Anna, Archie, Frank, and one child deceased. Mr. Beeler is a prominent member of the G. A. R., W. F. Barry Post.
The farm of Mr. Beeler consists of forty acres of good land which he devotes to general farming, he making a specialty of raising good horses. Both he and his inestimable wife are very hospitable and they are very highly spoken of by their neighbors and friends. The services rendered by Mr. Beeler to the country are such as should never be forgotten, and those who know and appreciate him, admire his many excellent traits of character, and kindly, genially manner.
© 1999, Lori L. Laird, NEGenWeb Project