SHEBOYGAN HISTORY

E. A. Beeckler, Page 504

E. A. BEECKLER, a representative of one of the honored pioneer families of Lyndon Township, and the genial and popular manager and proprietor of a general merchandise establishment in Onion River, was born in the town of Westminster, Canada, April 26, 1854, and is the ninth in a family of eleven children, five sons and six daughters, born unto Alexander and Theresa (Douglas) Beeckler.  There are now five children living.  George became a successful merchant of Onion River.  In politics, he is a Republican and belongs to the Odd Fellows' society of Waldo, and the Encampment of Sheboygan.  Charles is a teacher of recognized ability, who has successfully followed this profession for twenty-four years.  Kate is the wife of Charles Bear, general agent for a large publishing house.  Lucy is the wife of C. U. Boly, City Engineer of Sheboygan, whose sketch appears elsewhere in this work.

    The father of this family, Alexander Beeckler, was born in Penfield, Monroe County, N. Y., April 18, 1813, followed farming throughout life, and died in February, 1893.  His father was born in Germany, January 4, 1772, and served as an officer under Emperor Napoleon for a number of years.  His wife was a native of Ireland.  The mother of our subject, who was born in Arcadia, N. Y., October 3, 1820, was of Scotch and English descent, and died November 4, 1859.  During the infancy of Ezra Beeckler, the parents came to Wisconsin.  They had started for Michigan, but a severe storm caused them to land in Sheboygan County, and the father took up eighty acres of land, upon which he built a log cabin.  There the family lived in true pioneer style.  Deer were so plentiful that the dog they brought with them from Canada killed at least twenty.

    E. A. Beeckler was reared amid the wild scenes of the frontier, and has experienced all the hardships of pioneer life.  At the age of seventeen he began to earn his own livelihood.  He received such educational privileges as the common schools afforded, but he had no capital with which to begin business.  Following the teacher's profession, he secured a position in Winooski, where he received $38 per month.  In the winter he was thus employed, and in the summer he worked at harvesting, sheep-shearing or at any employment whereby he could earn an honest dollar.  For over twenty years he engaged in teaching in Sheboygan, Clark and Wood Counties, Wis., and in the State of Minnesota, proving a most successful instructor.  In fact, Mr. Beeckler is very clever and usually succeeds in whatever work he undertakes.  He is a good stone-mason, and a practical cheese-maker.  In 1875, he began learning telegraphy under J. C. Frazier, and soon became so proficient that he was offered a fine position.

    Mr. Beeckler married Miss Emily A. Jackisch, who was born in Saxony, Germany, March 22, 1858.  They had three sons and six daughters, of whom eight are yet living, namely:  George, Bessie, Price and Pearl, twins, Theressa, Benjamin Harrison, Vera and Haide.  Ruth is deceased.  The father of Mrs. Beeckler died in 1880, but her mother is still living in Clark County, Wis.

    On the 23d of April, 1893, Mr. Beeckler removed from Clark County to Onion River, and on the 1st of May assumed charge of the general store which had formerly been managed by his brother George for ten years.  He carried a complete stock of dry goods, boots and shoes, hats and caps, queensware, staple and fancy groceries, fruits and country produce, such as butter and eggs.  In connection with this business, he carries on a barber shop and a job-printing office, and these materially increase his income.

    Socially, Mr. Beeckler is a member of Neillsville Lodge No. 198, I. O. O. F., has filled all of its chairs, and has attended the Grand Lodge.  He is also a member of Granton Camp No. 1899, M. W. A.  He cast his first Presidential vote for R. B. Hayes, and is a stalwart advocate of Republican principles.  The cause of temperance finds in him a warm friend, and he does all in his power for its advancement.  He was never known to indulge in intoxicants or to treat any one to such, and is strongly opposed to tobacco.  Mr. Beeckler has spent some time in the West.  In 1880, he went to Minnesota and Dakota, and located a tree claim in Douglas County, S. Dak.  In August, 1881, he went to Montana, and made his way up the Yellowstone River to a point seventy-five miles east of Helena.  He took the latter trip on account of his health and remained among the mountains until March, 1882.  He there engaged in all kinds of work such as teaming, mining and keeping boarding-house in a "dugout."  His life has been a varied one, replete with many interesting incidents.  He is a pleasant, genial gentleman, and has a host of friends throughout the community in which he now makes his home.