My Genealogy Hound

ROBERT BEGGS. This name will be recognized by many of our readers as that of a resident of township 4, range 3 west, who is engaged in farming and stock-raising. His landed estate consists of four hundred acres, the greater portion of which is well improved, and its present condition is due to his own good judgment and enterprise. The farm is stocked with all that goes to make up a well regulated estate, and the family occupies a pleasant dwelling, where home comforts abound.

Our subject is a son of William and Jane (Hanley) Beggs. His grandparents on the paternal side were Robert and Nancy (Orr) Beggs, the former of whom was the son of Thomas Beggs, who in turn was a descendant of James Beggs. The father of the last named gentleman was born in Scotland, and after his marriage, emigrated to County Antrim, Ireland, where he owned large tracts of land. Thomas Beggs, together with his sons, was an extensive land owner in Ireland, and he also owned and operated a mill for many years. He was the father of three sons and two daughters: William, Robert (the grandfather of our subject), James, Margaret and Anna. The sons owned large farms in Ireland, which are still occupied by their descendants. The grandfather was captured at Belfast, and being forced into service, was present at the battle of Trafalgar, and during that period was in England for three years.

William Beggs, the father of our subject, was born in 1803, and after receiving a limited education, learned the trade of a weaver. He fell heir to a small tract of land, which he sold for fifty pounds, and later, renting a larger farm, there passed the remainder of his life, dying in 1848. He was one in a family of five children, his brothers and sisters being, Thomas, Robert, Nancy and Catherine.

The parents of our subject were members of the Presbyterian Church, and they had seven children, one of whom died in infancy. Those now living besides our subject, who is the eldest born, are, William, Catherine, Ann (Mrs. Andrew McKinstry), and Jane. Fannie and Nancy are deceased. Robert, of this sketch, was never permitted to attend school, but being ambitious to gain a thorough knowledge of books, prosecuted his studies at home, and is today a well read man.

Prior to crossing the Atlantic, which trip was made in his twenty-second year, our subject was variously employed in working out on farms and on the railroad in his native land, Ireland. After coming to the New World, he worked out as a farm hand in New Jersey for three years, and later spent a short time in Philadelphia. In 1855 he came to Illinois and purchased forty acres of land, which now forms a portion of his present valuable estate. It was then in a perfectly wild state, covered with timber, and where are now broad roads there were Indian trails. Mr. Beggs was very industrious, and from time to time added to his property, until he accumulated four hundred acres. He has the greater part of this under the plow, and in Perry County is recognized as an important member of its farming community.

December 25, 1852, in New Jersey, Mr. Beggs married Miss Rosa, daughter of Andrew and Jane (McBrune) McKinstry. Mrs. Beggs is a devout member of the Presbyterian Church of Nashville, and is a most highly esteemed lady. Our subject is a prominent Democrat in politics, and as one of the representative citizens of this locality has held many offices of trust.