Randolph Sry BEALL

BEALL, SWAN, STAHL, TALLEY, NORRIS, ROSE, WYANT

Posted By: Sharon R Becker (email)
Date: 5/1/2011 at 08:07:18

The Ringgold Record
June of 1946

In Memory of Randolph S. Beall

OBITUARY

Randolph S. BEALL, son of Ithamar S. and Charlotte SWAN BEALL, was born in Mount Ayr, Iowa, February 13, 1864. All his life was spent within the Mount Ayr school district, and except for a short time at the farm south of town, within two blocks of the place of his birth. His mother was a teacher in the pioneer community. She fostered in the lives of her children a love of reading which is evident when one sees Randolph's private collection of books. His early education was received in the Mount Ayr public schools and he was ever alert and informed as to its welfare, voting at every school election.

From the time he was twelve (the year of his father's death) he assisted his mother in the care of the family. The sister, Eunice, and the brother, Walter, both of whom preceded him in death, were ever objects of his tender affection.

On August 25, 1904, he was united in marriage to Miss Martha STAHL [daughter of Ringgold pioneers Michael and Mary B. (TALLEY) STAHL], of the faculty of Simpson College. Mrs. BEALL served as trustee of the College for a number of years, and was also corresponding secretary for the Methodist Women's Foreign Missionary Society. She died January 8, 1933. For the past five years, Miss Eva STAHL, Mr. BEALL'S sister-in-law, has made a home for him.

Death came Sunday, June 2, 1946, after a short illness which had visited him from time to time during the past two years.

He is the last of the family of BEALLS which came to Iowa from Ohio in the early fifties [1850's]. Three first cousins survive. They are Mollie BEALL NORRIS, of Eugene, Ore., Frank SWAN, of Abilene, Kan., and Nate ROSE, of Estancia, N.M. There are a number of other second and third cousins, many nephews, nieces and friends.

Randolph, as he was affectionately known to young and old, was active in the business affairs of the community. Although successful in the real estate and insurance business, the happiest hours of his business life were spent in newspaper work. He was associated with his brother, Walter, in the management of the Twice-A-Week NewsRinggold Record and Walter went to West Union to manage the Argo-Gazette until his death a few years ago. Randolph was then associated with Geo. A. WYANT in the insurance field, and then later independently. In his later years, he founded the Ringgold County Bulletin, and through its columns kept in touch with his many friends all over the nation and in foreign countries. He was keenly interested in family, local and community history and was instrumental in founding the Ringgold County Historical Society and the annual Ringgolder Reunion, held each year in July.

Above all other interests, however, was his love for and in the church. He has the record of being the longest term member of the Mount Ayr Methodist church, having been for over three-quarters of a century a member; active in the Sunday school, board of trustees, and in shaping its policy and in the benevolences, both home and foreign.

Because his interests reached into all areas of the community life, and his love of people so sincere and unaffected, his passing is mourned by the whole community as well as by his numerous friends now living elsewhere.

Funeral services were held Tuesday afternoon from the Methodist church, conducted by the Rev. Frank MOORE. Interment was in Rose Hill cemetery [Mount Ayr].

Submission by Mike Avitt, April of 2011

Biography of Randolph Sry BEALL
 

Ringgold Obituaries maintained by Tony Mercer.
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