William Penn Beesley was born September 16, 1863 in Lawrence County to James Beesley and Sarah (nee Milburn) Beesley. James Beesley was born in Cranfield, Bedfordshire, England. William married Mary C. (nee Brausa) daughter of Diedrich F. and Dora (nee Brockmeier) Brausa. Both Diedrich and Dora were born in Stolzenau, Hanover, Germany. The union of William and Mary brought the following children: Erwin Grant (b. Apr. 1887); Everett Ivan (b. Dec. 1888); Oscar Vernon (b. Feb. 1892). William died September 20, 1937 Mary died December 30, 1960 and they are buried in the Greenlawn cemetery in Vincennes, Indiana.
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(Mrs. Philo Bell)
Biographical Note:
Editor’s Note:
Mrs. Bell also wrote letters to the Press in 1915, 1916, 1917 and 1919. See her biographic notes in the 1915 section.
Vincennes, Indiana
June 15, 1917
Almost ever since I can remember I have read the Sumner Press and have especially enjoyed the annual non-resident historical edition. I have decided this year to contribute my story. On the 16th day of September 1863 in a little log cabin in the wilds of Lukin Township, I first saw the light of day. That was the year of the big frost in August. My parents were "Uncle Jim" and "Aunt Sally" Beesley, pioneers of that part of Lawrence County.
My early life was spent on the farm. I attended school in a little log school house in the edge of Wabash County. The school was known by the name of Shanghai. It was afterwards replaced by a frame building and now called White Pine.Among my early teachers I recall the names of James and John Corrie George Prout, George French, and David Siebert. After finishing my education that Shanghai, I attended McKendree College, Lebanon, Illinois for several terms and then taught in Wabash and Lawrence County for six years. I then moved to Vincennes and took a commercial course at Vincennes University under Robert Aley, now president of the University of Maine. After completing my course here, I went to Dixon Business College, where I graduated in 1891 and the next fall I obtained a position as principal of the business department of Vincennes University, which position I held for four years. I resigned my position with the University in June 1895 and in September of the same year; I embarked in the retail grocery business. I have added to my business until I now have a general store and meat market combined.
Now I word about my family. I was married on the first day of November 1885 to Mary C. Brosa, the oldest daughter of Mr. and Mrs. D. F. (Squire) Brosa of Lukin Township. “Uncle Aaron” Schrader officiated in the presence of about seventy-five invited guests. We have three boys, two of whom are also "Lukinites,” the youngest is a Hoosier. The oldest is a bookkeeper for the Vincennes lumberyard. And by the way, they have one child, our only grandchild and grandpa Brosa’s only great-grandchild, so of course we think she is about it. Our second son, Everett I. Beesley, is a civil engineer is married and lives in Muskegon Heights, Michigan. He is now employed by the Shan Electric Crane company as estimator. The youngest Oscar V. Beesley still enjoy single blessedness and is with me in the store.
Religiously we are all Presbyterians. I was Commissioner to the General assembly of the Cumberland Presbyterian Church, which met at Fresno California, and by our vote consummated the union of Cumberland Presbyterian and the Presbyterian Church USA.I have many pleasant memories of my childhood and early manhood in old Lawrence County. With best wishes to all of all my old friends and associates and with the hopes that the Sumner Press may long live to bring the news of "home”, I remain
Very respectfully
W. P. Beesley
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Sedalia, Missouri
January 16, 1917
Mr. Wood:
Please find enclosed money order for the Press another year. I don't want to do with out it, but my eyes are so poor I can hardly read. I want the Pink Edition, but am to shaky and blind to write anything for it. As ever your friend and well wisher.
Mrs. Philo Bell
1020 E. 5th St.
Cates, Indiana
January 11, 1917
Sumner Press:
Your Pink Sheet has found its way into my home several times, which was very interesting to us, so I will write you a small article for your Pink Sheet.
I was born and raised about six miles southwest of Sumner, near Mulberry school house, where I attended school most of my boyhood days. Later I purchased 80 acres of land about five miles southwest of there, where I lived for several years. Having failing health there, I moved up to McLean County, afterwards I moved to Veedersburg, Fountain County, Indiana, where I ran a market garden for several years and worked at various kinds of employment. Having accumulated some means I purchased a farm of 40 acres near Cates, Indiana, where I now live. This is well improved with buildings and silo, which makes us a comfortable home. We raised five children of whom four are living one girl and three boys, Flora, the oldest girl passed away about 13 years ago. Going back to our old homestead brings back sweet memories of our childhood, though after a lapse of about 35 years, alas and where are those we once knew? Death has claimed most of the older ones while the plump and rosy cheek boys and girls we once knew are scattered many miles away and strange faces have filled their places. What few are left present are aged, wrinkled and careworn brow. The roads have been changed the old buildings have been torn away and new ones erected, the woodlands have been cleared and are now cultivated fields and thus it seems to us a strange land, though through your Pink Sheet we are made to reunite. Hoping to hear from all and wishing them all and the Press a happy and prosperous new year, I remain,
I am very glad we are again to have the opportunity of hearing from old residents of Lawrence County.
We all enjoy reading the Pink Issue and am sure it will be read with much pleasure again.
I am the son of John M. Brian and Leigh (Landis) Brian and was born the December 14, 1854, 3 1/2 miles south of Sumner, where I spent my boyhood days. Brother J. M. Brian, still living at Sumner and Elizabeth Quinby of Wellington, Kansas are the only ones left of the family.
My wife (whose maiden name was Frances L. Fisher) and family and I left Sumner May 11, 1891, came direct to Los Angeles and have lived here ever since. I am still with the Hotel Clark, being employed as chief engineer. We are all enjoying pretty good health and trust these few lines will find old friends and acquaintances well and prospering. With best regards,
John Jacob Berlin was born November 1857 to Andrew and Hannah (nee Landis) Berlin. He was united in marriage on September 24, 1883 to Ellen Vanderhuff, Ellen was born abt. 1863. To this union the following children were born: Flora E. (b. Oct. 1884); George M. (b. Sept. 1886); John M. (b. May 1892); Freddie E. (b. Feb. 1899); Myrtle M. (b. ab. 1901). John died in 1924 and Ellen died in 1936 and they are buried in the Harveysburg Cemetery Kingman, Fountain County, Indiana.
