MUSKINGUM COUNTY OHIO BIO: BEAL, William (published 1892)
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From the 
The Ohio Biographies Project
http://homepages.rootsweb.com/~usbios/Ohio/mnpg.html
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Page 388.

William Beal, Dresden, Ohio, a prosperous agriculturist of this region, successfully manages his
farm of 389 acres, and inherits the thrift and energy of his German ancestors. His grandfather,
George Beal, was a farmer of Beaver county, Penn., and was married to Miss Nancy Sparks, who
was the daughter of Capt. Sparks, who served in the Revolution. To them were born these
children: William, Sarah, Elizabeth, Rachel, Deborah, Margaret, Elias, John, Isaac, George and
Nancy. William was in the War of 1812 and John served as common pleas judge of Blackford
county, Ind. Mr. Beal was a deacon in the Baptist church, and man of moderate means. He came to
Guernsey county, Ohio, in 1814, and settled near Birmingham, where he remained until his death,
when about eighty years of age. His son, Isaac Beal, and the father of William Beal was born in
Beaver county, Penn., in 1807, and received but a limited education. Some of his brothers were
quite well educated. Isaac was seven years old when he came with his parents to Guernsey county,
and he grew up in the rough school of pioneer days, working on the farm and attending school
when he could find time from his duties. He was married in Guernsey county, Ohio, October 14,
1830, to Miss Jane Neal, who was born June 12, 1812, and who was the daughter of William and
Mary A. (Sheridan) Neal. William Neal was born in Ireland and came to Maryland, where he
married and settled. He afterward emigrated to Ohio and settled in Belmont county, then in
Harrison, and finally in Guernsey county, where he died in his sixty-sixth year. His companion,
Mary A. Sheridan, who was the aunt of Gen. Phillip H. Sheridan and the cousin of Gen. Robert E.
Lee, died March 1, 1874, in her ninety-fourth year. Their family consisted of thirteen children:
Sarah S., Rachel, John, James, Mary A., William, Jane (wife of Isaac Beal), Elizabeth, Thomas,
Lee, Archibald, Asbery S. and Alexander G. Mr. and Mrs. Isaac Beal settled in Guernsey county
after marriage there, their children, sixteen in number, were born: Mary A., Nancy A., Perry,
Sarah, Archibald, Rachel J., William, Elizabeth, Margaret L., Martha S. Thomas, Elias, Bersheba,
Isaac S, George and Lee. Mr. Beal was a man of comfortable circumstances; was the owner of 160
acres of land. He and Mrs. Beal held membership in the Old School Baptist church, and Mr. Beal
was deacon for many years. In politics he was a republican. He had one son, Archibald, in the civil
war. He enlisted in Company K, Eighty-fourth Illinois regiment, and served as sergeant, and was at
the battle of Murfreesboro, Tenn., where he was captured by the confederates, but was retaken
by the Union troops the same day, and died January 5, 1863, from exposure. Isaac Beal lived to be
eighty years of age, and died on his farm in Guernsey county, December 26, 1887. He was one of
the old pioneer settlers and cleared up a great deal of wild land. His widow is still living, and is now
in her eightieth year. Their son, William Beal, owes his nativity to Guernsey county, Ohio, where
his birth occurred November 3, 1841, and he was liberally educated in the common schools. His
father, who had but limited educational advantage himself, was determined to send his children to
school, and young William attended school in the winter and worked on the farm during the
summer months until twenty-two years of age. He selected as his companion in life Miss Sarah A.
Morgan, who was born December 4, 1845, daughter of Washington and Mary (Lake) Morgan, and
their nuptials were celebrated on December 24, 1863. To them were born three children: Spenser
L., Elroy, and Jane E. After marriage, Mr. and Mrs. Beal settled on a farm in Cass township, this
county, and sadly afflicted was Mr. Beal while living there. A disease that was epidemic in the
county entered the family, and Elroy died August 17, 1870; Mrs. Beal died on the 20th of the same
month, Spencer L. on the 22d, and Jane E. on the 27th, all within ten days of each other. On
October 2, 1871, Mr. Beal married Miss Charity E. Butler, who was born December 17, 1844,
daughter of William and Elizabeth (McGee) Butler. [See sketch of Joshua Butler.] William Butler
was born in Brook county, Va., July 20, 1810, and was a school teacher for some time, although a
carpenter by trade. For many years he was a preacher in the Old School Baptist church, and
moderator of the association for quite a number of years. He was married to Miss Elizabeth
McGee, January 4, 1838. She was born August 3, 1815. To them were born three children: Honor,
Henry J., and Charity E. He was a self-educated man, a substantial farmer, and a man who was of
great benefit to his community in its early days. He died June 16, 1885. After marriage Mr. and
Mrs. Beal settled on the farm where they now live, and here all their children were born: Isaac T.,
John W. and Perry L. In politics Mr. Beal is a republican, and has held several of the township
offices. He and Mrs. Beal are members of the Old School Baptist church, in which he was clerk for
several years and is now deacon. He is deeply interested in school matters, and is educating his
sons at Dresden. Mr. Beal is a well-informed man, and keeps thoroughly abreast with the times.
This family is widely known and highly respected in Muskingum county. 

Source: Biographical and Historical Memoirs of Muskingum County, Ohio: Chicago, 1892: The
Goodspeed Publishing Co.