My Genealogy Hound

JOHN T. BECKWITH, County Superintendent of the Poor, in Berrien County, Mich., now efficiently serving his ninth year of office in his present position, is a leading agriculturist and prominent citizen of Weesaw Township, where, five times elected Supervisor, he resigned the position to assume the charge of the duties which now engage much of his time and attention. Mr. Beckwith is a native of Wyoming County, N. Y., and was born May 26, 1841. His parents, Josiah R. and Levindah H. (Fisk) Beckwith, were married in the Empire State and, highly regarded, made their home within its borders for many years. The father, of direct English descent, was born in Connecticut, reared and educated in his birthplace, and later, young and ambitious, journeyed to New York to seek his fortune. When our subject was about eight years of age the father with his family removed to the West, locating in Berrien County, Mich., May 18, 1849. The Beckwiths located permanently in Buchanan Township, where the father died after a residence of eighteen years, in August, 1867. The mother, a native of Vermont, survived her husband many years, passing away in Berrien County November 7, 1886. The home of the parents had been blessed by the birth of three sons and five daughters. Two sons and two daughters are now living.

John T., the fifth child in order of birth, attended the common schools of his birthplace in early childhood, and later received instruction in the district schools of Buchanan Township. For three terms he pursued the higher branches of study in the Buchanan High School and completed his education by a fall and winter term in Niles. After leaving school he gave his attention to the pursuit of agriculture and assisted his father on the homestead. Our subject has been twice married, first entering the bonds of matrimony with Miss Mary A. Young, born in Shelby County, Ind. Wedded in March, 1867, this estimable lady survived seven years and died February 23, 1874. She was the mother of one son and two daughters. Alta L. is the wife of Edward Harner; Minnie P. married Franklin Kool. Upon October 24, 1878, Mr. Beckwith was united in marriage with Mrs. Henrietta (Weaver) Boyle, born in Buchanan Township, and a daughter of Jacob and Orpha Weaver, who were early settlers of Berrien County, and intimately associated with its growth and prosperity. Mr. Weaver by occupation a farmer, passed away, mourned by many friends, in May, 1882. His widow is yet living in the county.

Unto Mr. and Mrs. Beckwith have been born four sons: Clayton, Earl, Glenn and Vere. In 1870 our subject and his family made their home in Weesaw Township, where Mr. Beckwith bought eighty acres of land, to which he has since added, now owning two hundred acres, highly cultivated and substantially improved with excellent and attractive buildings. The valuable farm is situated six miles west and one mile north of Buchanan. Our subject, financially prospered, has a handsome capital out at interest, and by his own self-reliant efforts has won his way steadily upward to a comfortable competence. The honored parents of Mr. Beckwith were both members of the Christian Church and were active in good work. Our subject, an important factor in the enterprises of his locality, is now and has been for six years a Director of the Farmers’ Mutual Fire Insurance Company of Berrien County. Politically, Mr. Beckwith was in early years a Republican and cast his first Presidential vote for Lincoln. In 1879 he was elected Supervisor of Weesaw Township on the Democratic and Greenback tickets and served one year to the satisfaction of the general public. In 1881 he was again elected to the office and re-elected in 1882, 1883 and 1884. He resigned during the latter term to accept his present position as Superintendent of the Poor of Berrien County. Many years have flown since the father of our subject bought, cleared and cultivated eighty acres of land m the woods. To-day the farm, highly productive, is a mute witness to the growth and progress of Berrien County from an almost wilderness into one of the garden spots of the State. A continuous resident of his present locality since 1849, John T. Beckwith is actively identified with the rapid advancement and progressive history of his township and county, where as boy and man he has for forty-four years commanded the confidence of a wide acquaintance.