Obituary for Andrew Plunkett Beirne, 1916 - Monroe County WV

The Monroe Watchman, Thursday, July 20, 1916


Mr. Andrew Plunkett Beirne entered into rest at his home in Roncerverte on Sunday morning last, 
July 16, 1916 at 8 0'clock.  His death was due to a general collapse of his physical facilities.  
By far the most of his life was spent at Union where his father, A.P. Beirne lived and died and 
where from youth to age the son had formed many friendships and tender ties.  Mr. Beirne was 
born April 6, 1842 at "Waverly" the home of his grandfather, Judge Daniel Smith, at Bridgewater,
Rockingham Co. Va.  He was educated at the Episcopal High School in Alexandria Virginia and at 
the U.S. Naval Academy at Annapolis.  He was at the Naval Academy with Admiral Dewey and was a 
classmate of the late Admiral Schley and Captain Sigsbee.  When the civil war broke out Mr. 
Beirne resigned to join the Confederate Navy.  He was first sent to Richmond to teach 
mathmatics to the naval cadets but preferring active service was ordered to Mobile Alabama.  He 
was an officer of the Tennessee, the last war ship of the Confederacy in American waters to 
surrender.

After the war he returned to Union and here married Miss Bettie Caperton on December 17, 1867.  
To them were born six children--L.C., Miss Bessie, Miss Mary P., A.P. Jr., Miss Fannie and Mrs. 
O.E. Burns.  All survive except Miss Bessie.  Their home in Union was ideally happy until it 
was desolated by the death of Mrs. Beirne more than 35 years ago.  Mr. Beirne remained here 
until a few years ago when he moved to Roncerverte.  He was a man of cultured mind, a very wide 
range of information and embued with a gentle personality and kindliness of heart.  He was a 
member of the Presbyterian church and a Mason.

The remains of the deceased were brought back to Union last Monday monring and after funeral 
services in the Presbyterian Church conducted by Rev. R.L. Merryman at 11:30 o'clock, wree laid 
to rest in Green Hill cemetery by the side of his wife.  Over the grave was placed a wreath and 
a Confederate flag beneath which the old veteran had served with constancy and courage for four 
terrible years.

The honorary pall bearers were Confederate soldiers--Judge A.N. Campbell, J.D. McCartney, J.A. 
Tomlinson, Wm. A. Wallace, J.D. Beckett and John J. Fullen.


Submitted by Elizabeth Burns <burns@asu.edu>

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