BIO: Joseph BEERS, Huntingdon County, PA

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Commemorative Biographical Encyclopedia of the Juniata Valley: 
Comprising the Counties of Huntingdon, Mifflin, Juniata and Perry, 
Pennsylvania, Containing Sketches of Prominent and Representative 
Citizens and Many of the Early Settlers.  Chambersburg, Pa.: J. M. 
Runk & Co., 1897, page 337.
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  JOSEPH BEERS, Orbisonia, Huntingdon county, Pa., was born 1830, in 
Cromwell township, Huntingdon county, son of Benjamin and Nancy 
(Roberts) Beers. Mr. Beers attended the public schools, and the academy 
at Shade Gap. In his early youth he worked for his father. About 1851, 
he began the study of law, at home, and in 1856 went to Iowa City, Ia., 
where he pursued his studies with Clark Bros., attorneys, with whom he 
remained three years. During this time he was admitted to the Iowa 
state bar. He returned to his home at the end of this time, and 
continued his studies there. In 1862, when the war of the Rebellion 
began, Mr. Beers enlisted for three years, in Company I, Twelfth 
Pennsylvania Reserves. His first engagement was the battle of 
Fredericksburg; after this his regiment was ordered to Washington, 
where he served one month on guard duty. His next battle was at 
Gettysburg; next at Antietam and Boonesboro. While following Lee, they 
were ordered back to Frederick, Md., crossed the river, went up the 
Shenandoah valley, took part in all that campaign, and defeated the 
rebels at Manasses Gap. While there, Mr. Beers ascended the mountain 
and viewed the retreat of Lee's army.
  After the conclusion of the campaign his regiment took part in the 
battle of Petersburg, which was followed by continual fighting all that 
summer. Mr. Beers was captured, with nearly all of his regiment, at 
Weldon Railroad, but they turned on the enemy, en masse, captured all 
their guns, and made them prisoners; this happened August 14, 1864. He 
was discharged in front of Petersburg in March, 1865. Mr. Beers shared 
the hardships of war with his comrades; at one time he was on picket 
duty for sixteen consecutive days and nights; the exposure had its 
effect, and for nearly fifteen years after the war his condition was 
such as to unfit him for any business; after his health began to 
improve, he bought his present home, a farm of seventy-five acres, and 
has given his attention to it, though not strong enough to do much 
work. But ill health did not keep Mr. Beers in idleness; he has written 
and published two books, one on vegetarianism and one entitled, 
"Pilgrim's Guide, How to be Saved." He is engaged on a third book, 
which is also of a religious nature. Mr. Beers is a Republican.