Georgia Biographies Baptist Bio of Alexander W. Bealer 1860 - 1921 Submitted by Charlene Parker Sep 2002 ****************************************************************************************** USGENWEB NOTICE: In keeping with our policy of providing free information on the Internet, data may be used by non-commercial entities, as long as this message remains on all copied material. These electronic pages may NOT be reproduced in any format for profitor for presentation by other persons or organizations. Persons or organizations desiring to use this material for purposes other than stated above must obtain the written consent of the file contributor. ****************************************************************************************** From "History of Bethel Association Including Centennial Meeting", by Alexander Lee Miller Alex W. Bealer, who was a member of the Bethel Association and one of its most distinguished ministers, died at Blakely, Georgia in 1921, ending a most profitable pastorate at the Blakely Baptist Church. The Association said of him at its session in 1921 held with the Bluffton Baptist Church that: "In the death of Alex W. Bealer, the State of Georgia, loses a sterling citizen, a devoted minister, a gifted writer, and a man whom multitudes loved. While the last days of his life were spent as pastor at Blakely the entire State claims him as a worker and a friend. Beginning his ministry in Atlanta, he served successfully at Cartersville, Thomasville, Eastman, Valdosta, and Murfreesboro, Tenn. To one of his cordial nature and liberal spirit, the extensive acquaintance thus gained meant an unusually wide reaching influence, for none who knew him but to feel the kindliness of his life and the potency of his faith. He generously and affectionately labored for Georgia's highest good and his work as District Organizer in the 75,000,000 campaign shows his remarkable worth and power, in the development in that part of the work assigned to him. Twenty nine years of his life was spent in endless and tireless effort in coordinating the activities of his pastorate, to the crowning of Christ as King. The poem below is the last poem that came from his pen and is an expression of what he expected beyond the River: I wonder if I'll find Beneath celestial skies, Where gleaming rivers wind, The things that please my eyes And fill my inmost Soul with peace. I'd like to see the sun Peep up behind the trees Where gleaming raindrops run And where the droning bees Their minor music never cease. I'd like to see the sod, Fresh from an April rain, And like the breath of God, I'd like to meet again The fragrance from the heavens rare. I'd like to smell the bays That grow on Southern land Besides the gleaming ways Where the honeysuckles stand To feed the hungry senses there. Beneath the queenly trees On which magnolia live I'd face the heavenly breeze And there I'd gladly give My soul to mediation sweet. I'd like to see the day Fade out behind the west -- The stars come out to play -- And then, of all the best, The silver moon I'd like to meet. And how I'd like to see, Close to the riverside, Ten thousand children free All running far and wide Across the blooming meadows there. I'd like to hear them sing, Led by an angel fair, The glories of their King To fill the listening air, With strains of rythmic music rare. I'd like to see the light That shines upon the street, When children with delight Their fathers' coming greet And place their welcome on his face. Ah! me, I love to dream That these and even more Upon my soul shall gleam When on that heavenly shore I step at last to take my place. Georgia Death Index, 1919-1927 Georgia Death Index: Name: Alexander W. Bealer Death Date: 28 Jun 1921 Gender: County of Death: Early Certificate: 14443-C 1920 Census Lowndes Co. Ga ed 128 sheet 9 page 174 202-215 Bealer, Alex W. m w head 59 SC SC SC Preacher Fannie f w wife 50 Ga Ga Ga Alex W. J. m w son 27 Ga Ga Ga May??? f w wife 20 Ga Ga Ga Biography & Genealogy Master Index (BGMI) 76678 Bealer, Alexander Winkler 1860-1921 Who Was Who in America. A component of "Who's Who in American History." Volume 3, 1951-1960. Chicago: Marquis Who's Who, 1966. (WhAm 3)