My Genealogy Hound

THOMAS BEAUMONT.
The business interests of Lorimor find an enterprising representative in Thomas Beaumont, who for years has been a leading citizen here and is the present efficient justice of the peace of New Hope township. He was born in Lincolnshire, England, September 4, 1861, and was there reared to manhood, acquired his education in the common and higher schools and later served a seven years’ apprenticeship at the blacksmith’s trade. He was twenty-one years of age when he determined to try his fortune in the new world for the reports which had reached him concerning business conditions in America were altogether favorable. He therefore crossed the Atlantic to Toronto, Canada, where he was employed for a few months, after which he came to the United States, settling in Madison county, Iowa. For two summers he worked there by the month as a farm hand and in the winter seasons engaged in horse-shoeing. He afterward established a shop of his own in Winterset, Iowa, where he continued in business for seven years, when he sold out and came to Lorimor. Here he established a horse-shoeing shop and engaged in general blacksmithing work from 1894 until 1905, during which time he built up a good business, making a specialty of horse shoeing, in which line he was an expert. So efficient was his work that fine horses were brought to him for shoeing from long distances. In 1903 he engaged in the agricultural implement business, selling implements for several years or until 1907. He has since lived retired from business cares, his well directed labor in former years having brought to him a comfortable competence.

Mr. Beaumont was married in Winterset, Iowa, September 5, 1884, to Miss Sabina Mackrill, a native of England, also born in Lincolnshire. They have become the parents of four children: Alice A., the wife of J. C. Foster a resident farmer of Pomona, Missouri; Emma M., at home; James T., who is now a drug clerk in South Dakota; and Joseph E., at home. The parents are members of the Methodist Episcopal church of Lorimor but Mr. Beaumont was reared in the Episcopalian faith. Their daughter Emma is now a teacher in the Sunday school and a worker in the Epworth League.

In politics Mr. Beaumont has been a stalwart republican since he became a naturalized American citizen and his fellow townsmen recognizing his worth and ability, have called him to several local offices. He has served as a member of the council of Lorimor, has been a member of the school board and is now serving as its secretary and in 1907 was elected to the office of justice of the peace, in which he is now serving. His decisions are strictly fair and impartial, being based upon the law and the equity in the case. He has been a delegate to the state and county conventions of his party and is deeply interested in its success, yet never allows partisanship and prejudice to interfere with the impartial discharge of his duties.

Mr. Beaumont is a member of the Masonic lodge of Lorimor and is present master, serving for the second year in that position. He is also connected with the Independent Order of Odd Fellows, has passed through all of the chairs of the local lodge, is a past grand and is now district deputy grand master. He has officially visited all of the lodges of his district and installed offices in a number. He likewise belongs to the Yeoman, a fraternal insurance order. He is most loyal to the beneficent spirit and the teachings of these different organizations, which have for their objects mutual helpfulness and brotherly kindness. Mr. Beaumont is a fine scribe and has a splendid set of official records, characterized by neatness and accuracy. Throughout his entire life what his hand has found to do he has done to the best of his ability and with a sense of conscientious obligation that has produced the most commendable results. He has never had occasion to regret his determination to seek a home in America, for here he found the opportunities he sought and as the years have passed gained not only a substantial competence but also the friendship of a large number of those with whom social or business relations have brought him in contact.