BIOGRAPHIES: James R. BECKWITH, Barron, Barron County, WI ==================================================================== 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 profit or 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, or the legal representative of the contributor, and contact the listed USGenWeb archivist with proof of this consent. The submitter has given permission to the USGenWeb Archives to store the file permanently for free access. This file was contributed for use in the USGenWeb Archives by: Transcribed by Peg Lamkin Edited and submitted by Vic Gulickson 11 March 2002 ==================================================================== James R. Beckwith, retired farmer living on Fifth street, Barron, has been prominent in the community for many years. In the township he has served as chairman and treasurer of the town as well as in other positions; he did good work as a school board member for many years, and in 1915 he won added honors by his work as a member of the legislature. Fraternally, he has passed through the chairs of the local lodges of the Odd Fellows and the Beavers, and he has also served in official positions with the Rebekah degree. He helped organize the Barron Co-operative Creamery Co., and in many other ways has demonstrated his fitness as a man and a citizen. James R. Beckwith was born in Elmira, N. Y., July 14, 1857, son of John G. and Mary A. (Garrison) Beckwith. He came to Barron county with the family as a boy of sixteen and devoted his life to farm work at home until he was twenty years of age. Then he worked out for a year. When he was of age he bought 80 acres of wild railroad land in section 25, Barron township, and this place he developed into a most excellent farm as good as any in the community. After nearly forty years of arduous farm labor he sold out in the summer of 1919 and moved to the city of Barron where he now lives. Mr. Beckwith was married March 23, 1879, to Elva B. Skinner of Maple Grove township, this county, who was born in Waupon, Wis., Nov. 9, 1856, daughter of Austin and Cordelia (Pardee) Skinner, and came to this county with her parents about 1870. She was the second of eight children, the others being Elbert (deceased), William, Mary, Mabel, Ernest (deceased), Alice and Clement (deceased). Mr. and Mrs. Beckwith are the parents of seven children: Alfred J., Clifton A., Clara A., Florence, Pardee G., Margueritte M. and Lawrence. Alfred J. was born April 6, 1880, and is now dead. Clifton A. was born Jan. 31, 1882, and is a grocer of Barron. Clara A. was born March 12, 1884, and is the wife of Otto Krueger, of Barron township. Florence was born July 23, 1886, and is dead. Pardee G. was born Aug. 2, 1890, and is in the grocery business with his brother Clifton in Barron City. He enlisted for the World war June 16, 1918, was assigned to the 94th Aerial squadron, organized July 3, 1918; trained at Vancouver Barracks, Washington, and was discharged at Camp Grant, Illinois, after the armistice. Margueritte M. was born Jan. 12, 1894, graduated in the normal course from the Barron High school, and is now a public school teacher in Montana. Lawrence J. was born May 19, 1898, enlisted in the World war Oct. 18, 1918, was sent to Paris Island, South Carolina, where he trained for the Marine corps, and was discharged Nov. 10, 1919. He is now attending the School of Electrical Engineering at Milwaukee. --Taken from: History of Barron Co., Wisconsin, H. C. Cooper, Jr., & Co., 1922, pg. 95.