Bedford County PA Archives Biographies.....Beegle, Francis ************************************************ Copyright. All rights reserved. http://www.usgwarchives.net/copyright.htm http://www.usgwarchives.net/pa/pafiles.htm ************************************************ File contributed for use in USGenWeb Archives by: Judy Banja jbanja@msn.com May 2003 FRANCIS BEEGLE, a prosperous and progressive agriculturist of Colerain township, Pa., was born February 24, 1848, on the farm where he now resides, and which was likewise the birthplace of his father, Joseph F. Beegle. He is of remote German ancestry and the descendant of one of the earliest pioneers of this section of Bedford County, his great-grandfather, Charles Beegle, the founder of the Pennsylvania branch of the Beegle family, having come from Loudoun County, Virginia, to Colerain, as one of the first settlers here. Taking up a tract of unbroken land, from which scarce a tree had been cut, Charles Beegle redeemed a homestead from the wilderness. His son Frederick, the paternal grandfather of Francis Beegle, eventually became the owner of this property, and he continued the improvements already begun, each year adding to the tillage land. Joseph F. Beegle, who was born in 1811, is one of the oldest and most highly esteemed citizens of Colerain township. Reared to manhood on the ancestral homestead, which is not far from Ott town, he engaged in agricultural pursuits from youth to old age, and in his undertakings was abundantly prospered. During his entire life he has earnestly supported the principles of the Democratic party; and, though never an aspirant for official honors, he has served a number of years as School Director of the township and as Assistant Assessor. His wife, whose maiden name was Elizabeth Frantz, is now a bright and active woman of seventy-seven years. She was born and bred in Allegheny County, Maryland. They are both members of the Lutheran church, in which he has served as Deacon and as Elder. Francis Beegle obtained his education in the district schools of Colerain and at a seminary in Rainsburg, Pa. Following in the footsteps of his honored ancestors, he has devoted his energies to tilling the soil; and his well- appointed farm, consisting of about three hundred acres, gives ample evidence of his diligence and skilful management. An active adherent of the Democratic party, he has acceptably filled many of the more important offices of the township. He has been Inspector of Elections, a School Director three years, Assistant Assessor, and is now serving his second term as township Auditor. He is a consistent member of the Lutheran church, in which he is an Elder. On January 17, 1878, Mr. Beegle married Mary J. Corle, a daughter of Abraham Corle, late of St. Clairsville, Pa. Their union has been blessed by the birth of seven children; namely, Frederick O., Joseph A. S., Margaret D., Grave V., Benjamin H., Francis C., and Mary H. Source: Bedford Biographical Review, 1899, Bedford Co., Pa