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Subject: [KSJEFFER] Richard Price BEELER
Date: 3 Jul 2002 09:47:17 -0600
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Surnames: BEELER
Classification: Biography
Message Board URL:
http://boards.ancestry.com/mbexec/msg/rw/yl.2ADI/141
Message Board Post:
The BEELER Family in Kentucky, Missouri and Kansas
The Richard P. BEELER Family
R. P. BEELER was born in Hardin Co, KY (La Rue Co in 1883) 4 Apr 1813. He was reared there and followed the pursuit of farming until 1833, when he moved by boat to Clay Co, MO and then, in the spring of 1854, located a claim in Kansas where he now resides, being one of the first farm openers in Jefferson Co, Kansas. (Biographical sketch from History of the State of Kansas, 1883)
Richard Price BEELER was a farmer, Section 36, P. O. North Topeka, KS. He selected a claim on the Big Muddy, bought it at the land sale, and pitching his abode thereon, began a successful career as a farmer on the western frontier. He became the owner of 288 acres of land, which he sold in 1884, removing at that time to North Topeka. He was quite a hunter in his early years, and kept the table supplied with wild meat as long as game could be found in the country about him. He belonged to the Kansas State Militia and was in the field during Price's raid.
Richard's parents were William BEELER and Nancy Anna "Ann" PRICE who were married 3 Apr 1808 in KY, the service performed by J. MORRIS.
Richard BEELER's father, William BEELER, was born in NJ, and took his place among the early settlers in KY, in which State he became the owner of much land and of many slaves. He was prominent and influential, held county offices at various times and possessed considerable means. (from the 1890 Portrait and Biographical Album of Jefferson County, KS.
R. P. BEELER moved his family onto the claim in KS in the spring of 1855. As a natural consequence he had many drawbacks to contend with, coming in at that time.
During the dark days of Kansas Mr. BEELER took a firm stand with the Free-state party, and tendered much valuable assistance towards the cause. He belonged to the State Mililtia, was Provost Marshall and attended to picking up the struggling marauders devastating the country at that time.
During his long sojurn in Kaw Township, Mr. BEELER did much towards the advancement of education and other interests that would be beneficial to
the community.
Some details below are from the History of the Kaw Township, Jefferson Co KS [1883]
Jefferson County is located in the northeastern part of Kansas. It was one of the original counties when Kansas Territory was established in 1855. Many of the settlers moving westward passed through the county, and many of the families decided to stay in this agricultural area, letting the next generation move on to newer homes.
This is one of the oldest settled portions of the county. The first settlements were in 1854 by Jefferson RIDDLE, J. T. WILSON, J. KUYKENDALL, and R(ichard) P. BEELER.
In 1855 the entire settlement comprised only nine families and one bachelor. There were but a few acres of land under cultivation at that time.
During the early years of the settlement all this part of the county was supposed to belong to Calhoun, now Jackson County.
In 1856 several families located on Muddy Creek, among whom was J. S. TOWNSEND, who brought in a stock of goods from Platte City, and opened a store in a small log cabin on a claim which he had selected. During that year considerable improvement of land was carried on and houses erected.
The first death in the township took place in the spring of 1856, and was that of Austin COFFMAN, who was killed by Orville THOMPSON in a dispute
over a land claim.
The first public schools in the township were opened in 1863. Mrs. P. M. GILBERT [Mary J. WOOD] taught in Grantville district, No. 37, and Miss
Maria COPE, (now Mrs. L. H. TRIPP of Meriden), taught at Kaw City.
The first religious services were held in 1856 at the residence of A. S. WILSON, by Rev. Mr. BRADFORD, of the Methodist Church.
In the spring of 1857 a town company of twenty-five members was formed, and a town site, consisting of 320 acres, was laid off, and called Kaw City. Its location was on the east side of the Big Muddy, at the base of the hills, at the place where the wide valley of the Kansas River begins.
The new town was not a success, though some attempts were made to build it up. A post office was established there in 1858, and James Henry JONES was appointed Postmaster. The fees of the office were $3 per year, and this was all paid to the mail-carrier.
In September, 1858, the township was organized, and so named after the Kaw River. It had previously been a part of Kentucky Township, with Samuel S. LOCKHART and John H. BISHOP, Justices of the Peace. The first officers appointed for Kaw Township were: A. J. KLEINHANS, supervisor; A. S. WILSON, treasurer, and John Henry JONES, clerk.
In the latter part of the year 1865, when the Kansas Pacific Railroad was approaching completion, a station was built on the farm of D. W. KLEINHANS. It was called Kaw Station. The first regular passenger train came through on Jan 1, 1866. The station was situated about one and one-half miles from Kaw City, and the post office was soon removed there from the latter place and David DEVORE appointed Postmaster.
Mr. KLEINHANS soon laid off a town at the station and the name was changed to Grantville, after which the Kaw City town site was abandoned and is now covered with productive farms. There is, however, a stone schoolhouse and a frame church at the old site of Kaw City.
The greater part of the tillable land of the township is under cultivation. The population is made up generally of natives of the Eastern States, of Germany and of Ireland.
Richard Price Beeler's line goes back to the Seventh Day Baptist (Dunkers) religious cloister of Ephrata, PA. In the late 1700s, it was known for its printing, music, and arts. Much of the community has been restored and houses a musium and recreation of the times. The first of our line was Christopher Bohler, who came fromGermany with most of the other members of Ephrata. He changed his name to Beeler after leavng the cloister. You can find a little about Ephrata on the WWW.
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