From the Biographical Memoirs of Wells County, Indiana – printed in 1903 by B.F. Bowen, Publisher, Logansport, Indiana. Page 160 - 162
JOHN W. BEAVANS
This young and thriving farmer of Jackson township, Wells County, Indiana, was born in Clinton county, Ohio, March 27, 1862. His father, James Beavans, was born in Monmouthshire, England, November 12, 1828. He remained in his native country until about, thirty years of age, when, on the 30th of April, 1859, he was united in marriage to Anne Williams, who was also a native of Monmouthshire. Soon after his marriage James Beavans came to the United States, landing at Portsmouth, Virginia, November 10, 1859, and soon afterward located in Clinton County, Ohio. In the fall of 1864 he removed to Blackford County, Indiana, remaining there until 1870, when he came to Jackson County, Indiana, and located first on a rented farm, from whence he subsequently removed to his late home in the same township. There, by industry and economy, he made for himself and family a home of comfort and plenty. He had in former years met with many reverses, which were very discouraging, but instead of yielding to their influences, it only awakened in him a determination to take a stronger hold upon the great possibilities of life. He was honest and upright with his fellow men; his word was as good as his bond; he was a good neighbor, honored and respected by all who knew him. He united with the Methodist church in 1885 and remained a consistent member until death. As a Christian he was not a sun that flashed and burned in mighty energy, but as a star that shone steadily in its constancy. For several years before his death his health and strength gradually failed, and he passed into the silent land February i, 1899, aged seventy years, two months and eighteen days.
To James and Anne (Williams) Beavans were born seven children, named in order of birth as follows: Francis, now deceased; John W., in whose interest principally this biography is prepared; William E., at home with his mother; Horace A., deceased; David E., residing in Warren, Indiana; Lawson J., farming in Jackson township, and Mary M., wife of B. F. McCoy, a resident of Jefferson township, Huntington county, Indiana.
John W. Beavans attended the district schools of Jackson township until about twenty-one years of age, and continued to assist on the home farm until he married, March 6, 1886, Miss Mary E. Alexander, who was born March 7, 1865, and is a daughter of Robert and Mary Jane (Jones) Alexander, natives of Ohio, but who were brought to Indiana when young by their parents.
Robert and Mary Jane Alexander were the parents of nine children, namely: Rhoda Adeline, deceased; Susan; John T., a resident of Salamonie Township, Huntington County; Enoch, farming in Jackson township, Wells county; William R., a resident of Jefferson township, Huntington county; Sarah, wife of Edward Fornshell; Mary E., now Mrs. J. W. Beavans; Daniel, deceased, and an infant also deceased.
When John W. Beavans started in life for himself his father assisted in buying him a team of colts and John W. himself borrowed one hundred dollars with which to purchase furniture. He located on a part of his father's farm, where he resided about a year and then moved to a log cabin already standing on the farm he now occupies and here built his modern dwelling in 1894 and his substantial barn in 1901, and now owns one hundred and five acres of arable land and also twelve producing oil wells which in 1901 netted him a little over one hundred dollars per month; but the supply is gradually diminishing and the income from these wells is now about seventy dollars monthly. His farming is of a general character, but he gives a great deal of attention to live stock, making specialties of shorthorn cattle, Shropshire sheep and Poland China hogs, in the breeding of all of which he has been remarkably successful.
The marriage of John W. Beavans and Mary E. Alexander has been crowned by the birth of five children, namely: A daughter who was born March 22, 1887, and died unnamed in infancy; Lawrence L., born February 26, 1889; Frederick E., born September 9, 1894; Mabel M., born September 9, 1896, and Nora E., born February 2, 1902.
Mrs. Beavans is a member of the Methodist Protestant church and Mr. Beavans affiliates with the Jackson Center Lodge No. 769, I. O. O. F., at McNatts. In politics Mr. Beavans is a Democrat, but is not particularly active save during the campaign season, when he warms up to his work as a party man. The Beavans family are held in very high esteem by their neighbors, Mrs. Beavans being a lady of many amiable domestic qualities and Mr. Beavans being recognized as one of the most upright as well as industrious young farmers in the township.
As being of special interest in connection with the foregoing sketch, the following obituary notices are here reprinted:
Anna, daughter of Thomas and Elizabeth Williams, was born in Monmouthshire county, England, October 1, 1834. Departed this life July 18, 1902. Was united in marriage to James Beavans April 30. 1859. To this union were born seven children, five of whom survive her, four sons and one daughter, her husband, one son and a daughter having preceded her to the glory land. She leaves two brothers, eleven grandchildren and a number of other relatives and friends. She united with the Church of England while in youth. She, with her husband, came to this country November 10, 1859, landing at Portsmouth, Virginia. They settled in Clinton county, Ohio, the same year, removing to Blackford county, Indiana, in the fall of 1864; removed to Jackson township, Wells county, Indiana, in 1870; March 17, removed to where she lived at the time of her death. She united with the Methodist Protestant church at Union Chapel in 1884 and remained a faithful member until her death. She was a kind and devoted Christian mother and by her deeds of kindness she had won a great many friends and will be missed by the church and community in which she lived. The home circle is once more broken. Mother is gone, but not forgotten. In her declining years the burden of her conversation was, "We cannot do too much for the Lord." She was aged sixty-seven years, nine months and eleven days. The funeral was conducted by her pastor, Rev. J. L. Barclay, at Union Chapel, before a large and sympathetic audience. Interment took place at Woodlawn cemetery, Warren, Indiana.
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Robert Alexander, son of John and Rhoda Alexander, was born in Brown county, Ohio, October 23, 1822; died March 24, 1897, aged seventy-four years, five months and one day. He moved with his parents from Ohio to Warren, Indiana, in 1841. He was married to Mary J. Jones in 1846, and to this union were born nine children. The wife, two sons and a daughter preceded him. Father Alexander was the oldest of six brothers and three sisters. He leaves three sons, three daughters, three brothers, a sister and a host of relatives and friends to mourn his departure. He united with the Methodist Protestant church about thirty years ago and lived a true Christian life. He will be sadly missed in church for as long as he was able his seat was seldom vacant. The funeral was held at Union Chapel, conducted by Rev. Tharp, assisted by Rev. Bundy. The text was, "Be ye faithful unto death and I will give you a crown of life."—Rev. 2:10. Faithfulness comes with charity, hope and love. The concourse of friends showed their last tribute of respect by being present at the funeral and interment in the Batson cemetery.
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Mary Jane Jones was born in Clinton county, Ohio, June 4, 1823, and departed this life November 15, 1892, aged sixty-nine years, five months and eleven days. She came to Wells county, Indiana, in the year 1837. She was united in marriage to Robert Alexander January 8, 1846. Nine children blessed this union, five boys and four girls, three of whom—two boys and one girl—sleep in the city of the dead. Sister Alexander in early youth consecrated her life to God. At the age of nineteen years she joined the Methodist Episcopal church, where she remained a consistent member until 1846, when she united with the Methodist Protestant church, continuing a faithful member and an earnest Christian until death marked her his own and the God whom she loved to adore said: "Enter thou into the joys of thy Lord." Her sickness, though long and severe, was borne with patience. She was willing at all times to say, "Thy will, 0 God, not mine, be done." But she is gone. We will see her no more. She has left this world for the other shore. We will miss the work of her dear hands; we will miss her in the family band; we will see the paths she has trod, but it is a joy to think she rests with God. She leaves a husband three sons and three daughters to mourn her departure. Funeral services at Union Chapel, conducted by Rev. J. R. French; interment in the Batson cemetery.
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