Beers 1898 biography Hiram Beals

Commemorative Biographical Record of Central Pennsylvania (Centre, Clearfield, Jefferson and Clarion Counties) 1898 by Beers

HIRAM BEALS, an honored veteran of the Civil war and a leading citizen of Richland township, Clarion county, was born July 31, 1840, in Venango county, Penn., and is a son of Jacob Beals, a native of Berks county, of German descent. The mother, who bore the maiden name of Elizabeth Bry, was born in Lehigh county, and was a daughter of Michael Bry. In 1839 the parents took up their residence in Venango county, where the father died at the age of eighty-three years, but the mother is still living at the advanced age of ninety. He was a farmer by occupation, a Democrat in politics and a Lutheran in religious belief. The mother is also a consistent member of the Church. Their family numbered eight children, namely: Flora Anna; Samuel; Benjamin; Jacob;, who was a Union soldier during the Rebellion; William; Hiram; Levi; and {{James Francis Beals|James]]. Hiram Beals was reared to the honest and honorable pursuits of farm life, and acquired his literary education in the public schools. When President Lincoln issued his call for 300,000 more volunteers, he enlisted August 28, 1862, in Company G, 155th P.V.I., for three years, and with his command participated in the following battles: Fredericksburg, Chancellorsville, Gettysburg, Rappahannock Station, Mine Run, the Wilderness, Laurel Hill, North Anna River, Tolopotomy, Bethesda Church, Cold Harbor, Petersburg, Weldon Railroad, Hatcher's Run, Quaker River, Five Forks, Sailor's Creek and Appomattox. Although he was struck by a spent ball, he was never seriously wounded, and was always found at his post of duty – a gallant and fearless soldier fighting bravely for the preservation of the Union. Near Washington, D. C., he was honorably discharged, and then returned home. Since the war Mr. Beals has engaged in the oil business, farming, huckstering and butchering, successfully following the last occupation for sixteen years. He now owns thirteen acres of land conveniently located near Petersburg and improved with good buildings. Upon the place are oil wells, and to the oil business and agricultural pursuits he now devotes the greater part of his attention. In 1866 Mr Beals married Miss Sarah Eddinger, who ha been to him a true and faithful helpmeet on life's journey. Her parents, Samuel and Sarah (Wagner) Eddinger, were natives of Lehigh county, Penn., and became residents of Clarion county, in 1848, first locating in Beaver township and later in Richland township, where both died at the age of eighty-three years. The father was a farmer and stone-mason by occupation; in political sentiment he was a stanch (sic) Democrat; in religious belief he was a Lutheran, serving as a deacon of his Church for many years. He(i.e. Samuel Eddinger) had ten children, namely: Andrew (who was a member of the 155th P.V.I. during the war, and died in 1896), Lucy, George (who was a member of the same regiment as his brother), Henry, Elizabeth, Sarah, Samuel, Maria, Franklin and Charles. The children born to Mr. and Mrs. Beals (i.e. Hiram Beals) are as follows: Mrs. Elizabeth Toy (of St. Petersburg, Clarion county), Alice (deceased), Mrs. Sarah Ann Freeman, Pearl, Harry, William, Leroy, Ralph and Wearne. The parents and children are connected with the Lutheran Church and Mr. Beals is now serving as deacon. He is an ardent adherent of Democratic principles, and is an honored member of the Grand Army Post No. 425, of St. Petersburg.