James Elgie Beals
From MouserAncestry
The Beals family is traced to Lehigh County, Pennsylvania in the early eighteen hundreds. Jacob and Elizabeth Brey Beals, the grandparents of James Elgie Beals arrived in the western part of the state and settled in Clarion County in 1841. Elgie’s father was born there in 1846. Both the Beals and Brey families were members of the Lutheran church tradition.
Elgie was born 24 April, 1889, to James Francis Beals and his second wife Olive Samantha Bower, on a farm in Richland Township, Venango County, PA, near the highest point in the county. He had two older sisters, Minta, born in 1883, and Florence, born in 1884, and two older step-siblings, Charles and Bernice, from James Francis Beals’ first marriage to Adeline Kribbs. When Elgie was six years old his mother died in childbirth, and the baby died also.
(click here to read the full biography of James Elgie Beals)
(Emlenton, Pennsylvania)
| Date | Location | Notes | Sources | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Birth | 24 Apr 1889 | James Francis Beals' farmhouse, Richland Township, Venango County, PA |
[6] [7] [8] [22] | |
| Marriage | 12 Oct 1910 | Home of the bride, Richland Township, Venango County, PA | To Winnifred May Kline |
[3] [4] [5] [10] [13] [16] [19] [22] |
| Death | 12 Feb 1982 | at the home of Bertha Irene Beals in Kossuth, Clarion County, PA |
[8] [9] [15][23][25] | |
| Burial | 14 Feb 1982 | Zion Union Cemetery, Richland Township, Venango County, PA |
[9] [15][25] |
Ancestry chart segment
Generation 2 Generation 3 Generation 4
+-- James Francis Beals
| (1846-1930)
+-- James Elgie Beals --+
| (1889-1982) |
Ella May Beals --+ +-- Olive Samantha Bower
(1917- ) | (1862-1895)
+-- Winnifred May Kline
(1888-1966)
Sources: [1] [3] [4] [5] [6] [7] [19] [22]
Children
(all children with Winnifred May Kline)
| Name | Gender | Date of Birth | Birthplace | Spouse | Notes | Sources |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| James Loy Beals | M | 8 Feb 1912 | James Francis Beals farm, Venango Co. | Oral Latshaw | died 3 May 1978 | [3] [4] [5] [13] [22] [23][25][26][27] |
| Ella May Beals | F | 28 Sep 1917 | James Francis Beals farm, Venango Co. | John Thomas Wilson | Direct line | [3] [4] [13] [14] [22] [23][25] |
| Bertha Irene Beals | F | 6 May 1922 | John Abram Kline farm, Venango Co. | Wayne A. Chambers | [4] [5] [13] [22] [23][25] | |
| Robert Elgie Beals | M | 13 Nov 1926 | John Abram Kline farm, Venango Co. | Sarah Elizabeth Sheesley | died 3 Apr 2002 | [4] [5] [12][13] [22] [23][24][25][28] |
Places of Residence
| Location | Dates | Notes | Sources |
|---|---|---|---|
| Richland Twp., Venango Co.PA, farm of parents James Francis Beals & Olive Samantha Bower, on the Clarion Co. border between Nickleville & Salem (Lamartine) | 24 Apr 1889 - ? | first 2 children, Loy and Ella, were born here. | [1] [6] [17] [18] [23] |
| Kline farm near Emlenton, Richland Township, Venango County, PA. | <1920 - >1966 | Farm purchased from wife Winnifred's father, John Abram Kline. Wife Winnifred, and last 2 children, Bertha and Robert, were born here. | [3] [4] [5] [7] [22][23][25][30] |
| Kossuth, Clarion County, PA | ? - 1982 | Home of daughter Bertha Irene Beals. | [8][22] [23][25] |
Photo Gallery
The Election House: The farm of Winnie Kline & Elgie Beals was purchased from her father John A. Kline, who in turn purchased it from Squire Shannon - who may or may not have been the first owner. The original house of whomever settled the land was down beyond the barn, the cow lane and the back fields. At the edge of the woods, evidence of a stone block foundation remains, and Robert E. Beals once found a very old key there in the ground. The second house was a two-story, 4 room sturdy beamed structure also on a stone foundation, built at the head of the present lane, immediately beside the county road past the farm. The John A. Kline family rented this second house more than once before buying the property, possibly while the first house was still occupied by first owners. Daughter Winnie Kline Beals was born in this second house. In later years it was converted to a sort of 2-story mill for converting grain to animal feed, or corn stalks to fodder. The chute was on the second floor, falling to the grinder and bagging operation on first floor. The mill was operated by electric motor in the 1950's & after. The circle of the lane between Election House and barn originated as a "horse power", where a horse harnessed to the rotating mill stones walked round and round to power the mill. On the porch of the house was a crank-operated grind stone for sharpening knives. Here, Winnie Kline as a child suffered a badly cut foot that gave her problems for life. The fading red house was used as a polling place for a time, thus its being called the Election House by family and neighbors. In the cellar were said to be old tools, once belonging to John A. Kline. Sometime in the late 1980's - early 1990's, the Election House collapsed for lack of roof repair & general maintenance. The site is marked by the surrounding apple & other trees. Apple cider was made yearly out beside the Election House, and washing day rinse water was collected from its rain barrel. Grandchildren explored its attic, finding an old wicker baby carriage (maybe once belonging to Annie Kline Sheffer), and a fox fur stole,fox heads with glass eyes and fox tails included. One walk through the cellar (no old tools in evidence),and we were admonished to never again go there; snakes.
Children in photo above right include Donnie Beals (son of Larry Beals) held by his gr-gr-grandfather James Elgie Beals; Melissa "Mitzi" Wolf and Cindy Wolf, daughters of Denny & Mary Jane Beals Wolf, held by Winnie Kline Beals, their gr-gr-grandmother.
Sources
| Ref. Num. | Description | Image of original |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | 1900 United States Federal Census, Richland Twp., Venango Co., PA, Enumeration District 162, Supervisor's District 15, Page 6, lines 27-30 lists James Beals, 52, born June 1847, and his three children: daughter Arminta Beals, 17, born Mar. 1888; daughter Florence Beals, 15, born July 1884; and son James E. Beals, 10, born Apr. 1890. James Elgie is listed as being born in PA, having attended school for 7 months that year, and able to read, write, and speak English. This census is dated June 13, 1900. |  |
| 2 | 1910 United States Federal Census, Salem Township, Clarion County, PA, Enumeration District 30, Supervisor's District 18, Page 7, lines 9-14 lists Elgie Beals, 21, as a "hired man" in the household of Emmanual Rugh. Elgie Beals is listed as single, being born in PA, and able to read, write, and speak English. The census page is dated April 25th, 1910. |  |
| 3 | 1920 United States Federal Census, Richland Township, Venango County, PA, Enumeration District 139, Supervisor's District 17, Page 7, lines 16-19 lists Elgie Beals, 30, married to Winnie Beals, 31, and their two children: son Loy Beals, 8, and daughter Ella Beals, 2 years and 4 months. Elgie Beals is listed as being born in PA and able to read, write, and speak English. His occupation is listed as "Farmer General Farm." This census is dated 13 Feb 1920. |  |
| 4 | 1930 United States Federal Census, Richland Township, Venango County, PA, Enumeration District 61-40, Supervisor's District 2, Page 6, lines 9-14 lists James E. Beals, 40, married to Winnifred M. Beals, 42, and their four children: son James L. Beals, 18; daughter Ella M. Beals, 12; daughter Bertha I. Beals, 7; and son Robert E. Beals, 3 years and (illegible) months. The family is listed as living on a farm. At the time of their marriage, James E. Beals was 21 and Winnifred M. Beals was 22. James L. Beals, Ella M. Beals, and Bertha I. Beals attended school within the census year. Everyone but Robert E. Beals can read and write, everyone can speak English. Everyone and their parents were born in PA. James E. Beals' occupation is listed as "Farmer." This census page is dated April 15th, 1930. |  |
| 5 | 1940 United States Federal Census, Richland Township, Venango County, PA, Enumeration District 61-54B, Page 2, dated 18 Apr 1940. Lines 51-54: James L. Beals, 50, living with his wife, Winiford M. Beals, 57, daughter Bertha I. Beals, 17, and son Robert E. Beals, 13. Everyone was born in PA. Everyone lived in the same house in 1935. The street name is listed as "Head 60015". The next home listed is that of James' son, Roy. |
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| 6 | World War I Draft Registration Card dated June 5, 1917. Name listed as James Elgie Beals. Place of residence "Emlenton Route 2, PA." Date of birth April 24, 1889. Place of birth Richland Township, PA. Occupation "Farmer." Dependants: "Wife and Child." Status married. No prior military service. Claimed exemption from the draft for "dependancy of wife." Describes self as a medium height, medium build cacuasian with (illegible) eyes and brown hair. |  |
| 7 | World War II Draft Registration Card (undated). Name listed as James Elgie Beals. Place of residence listed as Richland Township, Venango County, PA. Mailing address listed as "Emlenton, PA. Rd1(?)" Age 53, place of birth Venango County, PA, date of birth Apr. 24, 1889. Contact information lists "Winona Beals," presumably Winnifred, with a mailing address of "Emlenton #1, PA." Occupation listed as "Self Employed" with a place of employment of Richland Township. Describes himself as 5'8" tall, caucasian, brown eyes, black hair, with a "light" complexion. |  |
| 8 | Social Security Death Index, Master File, Social Security Administration. Record shows a James Beals with SSN 177-22-3374, born on April 24, 1889 and died in February, 1982. His SSN was issued "before 1951" in PA. His last residence is listed as 16331 Kossuth, Clarion, PA. | |
| 9 | Obituary of J. Elgie Beals, Franklin News Herald, 13 Feb 1982. J. Elgie Beals died at the age of 92; born on 24 Apr 1889 in Richland Township, Venango County, PA, at the home of his daughter, Bertha Chambers, in Kossuth, PA, where he had been living for some time. His parents were James F. Beals and Olive Bower Beals. He married Winnifred Kline on 12 Oct 1910. Winnifred Kline died on May 4, 1966. At the time of his death, he had two surviving daughters, Ella Wilson and Bertha Chambers, and one son, Robert Beals. His other son, Loy Beals, died in 1978. J. Elgie Beals will be buried at the Old Zion church. |
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| 10 | Marriage Certificate indicating that James E. Beals and Winifred M. Kline were married on 12 Oct 1910 at the home of the bride in Venango County, PA. |  |
| 11 | Wedding Annoucement for Ella May Beals and John Thomas Wilson | private
|
| 12 | Obituary for Robert Elgie Beals, from The Derrick (Oil City, PA) Thurs. 4 Apr. 2002, p 18 c 1-2. See image at right. Obituary from News Herald (Franklin, PA) 4 Apr. 2002,from obit transcription file at Franklin Library, Venango Co. PA: Beals, Robert Elgie, 75, Emlenton RD 1, died Wed. Apr. 3, son of James Elgie & Winnifred Mae Kline Beals. Wife Sarah Elizabeth Sheesley, deceased. |
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| 13 | Obituary for Winnifred May Beals, Oil City Derrick, 6 May 1966, from funeral home memorial copy. Mrs Winnifred May Beals died on 4 May 1966 at the Franklin Hospital, Clarion County, PA. Her husband was Elgie Beals and they lived in Emlenton. She was born on 10 Mar 1888, at Emlenton RD 1, to parents John Kline and Ella Frederick Kline. She was married to Elgie Beals on 12 Oct 1910. She was survived by all four children; Ella Wilson, Loy Beals, Bertha Chambers, and Robert Beals. She was also survived by her brother, Frederick Kline, and her sister, Mary Fillgrove. Her other sisters, Anna Sheffer and Gladys Sheffer, preceeded her in death. She will be buried in the Old Zion Church Cemetery. The Derrick (Oil City PA) 6 May 1966. Obituary from News Herald (Franklin, PA) for Winifred Naomi (sic) Beals, 5 May 1966 p3 c3, from obit abstract file, Franklin Library: BEALS, Mrs. Winifred Naomi (sic), 78, emlenton RD1, b. 10 Mar 1888 in emlenton RD1, d. 4 May 1966 in Franklin; daughter of John & Ella Frederick Kline. Married 12 Oct 1910 to Elgie Beals. |
 |
| 14 | Birth Certificate for Ella May Beals | private
|
| 15 | Gravestone at Zion Union Cemetery, Richland Township, Venango County, PA.
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| 16 | Marriage document certifying that James E. Beals and Winifred M. Kline, both of Emlenton, PA, were married on 12 Oct 1910. |  |
| 17 | Indenture agreement between James Elgie Beals and James Francis Beals, his father, in which James Elgie Beals is given 118 acres of land to live on and farm in return for a share of the proceeds from the crops. |  |
| 18 | Estate Sale advertisement, sale of farm of James Francis Beals as administered by his son, James Elgie Beals. |  |
| 19 | Cemetery Association Record from Salem Lutheran Cemetery Association lists Jacob Beals, 1806-1899, as married to Elizabeth Brey, 1808-1899. It lists their descendants down as far as four generations in some places. Some of those descendants are my anscestors, including son James Beals, daughter-in-law Olive Bower, grandson Elgie Beals and grandaughter-in-law Winnie Kline. | |
| 20 | Promisory Note from James Elgie Beals to R. E. Adams for the sum of $250. The Adams' family loan allowed the Beals family to retain their farm during the Depression. |  |
| 21 | Certificate of Appointment of Executor for the will of James F. Beals, signed 9 Aug 1930. The certificate was filed in Clarion Co., PA. James F. Beals died on 9 May 1930. His will was registered on 9 Aug 1930. The executor of the will is James E. Beals. |  |
| 22 | Research Manuscript of Ella May Beals (Wilson) 1975-1985, including personal knowledge and interviews of her siblings Robert Beals and Bertha Beals Chambers, and of her Aunt Mary P. Kline Fillgrove. | |
| 23 | Bertha I. Beals (Chambers) personal knowledge give through oral interviews and accompanying on farm and cemetery visits in Venango & Clarion Counties, PA. | |
| 24 | Nancy E. Beals (Walls) personal knowledge give through oral interviews and accompanying on farm and cemetery visits in Venango & Clarion Counties, PA. | |
| 25 | Personal correspondence from Elizabeth Wilson Williams, granddaughter of James Elgie Beals. | N/A
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| 26 | Obituary James Loy Beals, Franklin New Herald, 4 May 1978; transcribed 2006 by e. W. Williams at Franklin Library, Venango Co. PA. BEALS, James Loy, 66, of Emlenton, died Wed. May 3. He was born 8 Feb. 1912, son of Elgie & Winifred Kline Beals. Wife Oral Latshaw survives. | |
| 27 | Obituary of Oral G. Beals, Franklin News Herald, Sept 24, 1980; from obit. abstracts file, Franklin Library, Venango Co. PA. BEALS, Oral G., 67 of emlenton died Sat. in her home. Born in Kennerdell 23 Jan 1913, a daughter of Lewis & Nettie Huffman Latshaw. She was the widow of James Loy Beals who died in 1978. Surviving are a daughter Mary Jane Wolf of Parker, two sons James Edward Beals of Jacksonville Fla., and Larry Beals of Broken Arrow, Okla; one brother Levier Latshaw of N.C., 2 sisters, Mrs. Russell (Vera) McGinnis of Emlenton, & Mrs. Leonard (Joan) Confer of Emlenton; 15 grandchildren and 3 great grandchildren. One grandchild is deceased. Interment Emlenton Cemetery. | |
| 28 | Obituary of Sara Elizabeth Sheesley Beals, Franklin News Herald, 17 Sept 1999; from obit. abstracts file at Franklin Library, Venango Co. PA. BEALS, Sara Elizabeth Sheesley, 70, of Emlenton RD 1, Richland Twp., Venango Co; mother of Mrs. Charles (Nancy E. ) Walls and sister of Glenn Sheesley, both of Emlenton RD 1, died at 5:20 pm Wed. Sept. 15, UPMC Presbyterian Hospital, Pittsburgh. (University of Pittsburgh Med. Ctr., Presby. Hosp.) | |
| 29 | Social Security Death Index
Name: James Beals
Last Residence: 16331 Kossuth, Clarion, Pennsylvania, United States of America | |
| 30 | Draft Card of James Elgie Beals from Nancy Walls James Elgie Beals of Richland Twp Venango Co. PA registered on 27 Apr 1942 by F. L.Stewart of local board 2 Venango Co. PA. |
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Research Wishlist
- Determine the date of sale of the John Abram Kline farm to James Elgie.
- Determine the extent of time that James Elgie was working for and living with[?] the Emmanuel Rugh family.
- Source for the death day
- Source for the burial day [obit specifies "Sunday" burial.]
