grave import

Obituary

Dr. Charles Beardsley died at his home on South Seventh Street at 10 o’clock this morning.
For the past several days the deceased has been in a very critical condition, and death did not come unexpectedly. The commencement of his illness occurred during the Semi-Centennial celebration when he exerted himself too much and as a consequence, he had been in poor health since that time.
Dr. Beardsley had lived in Burlington for the past thirty-five years and was one of the most widely known men in Des Moines county or the state of Iowa. He lived a life that any man could justly be proud of, and on account of his pleasing manners, he was loved by all. He always took an active part in religious meetings all over the country and was a prominent member of the Congregational church of this city. His death is indeed a great loss to Burlington and keen regret is felt that such a man must depart from our midst after a life devoted to grand and noble deeds.
Dr. Beardsley was born in Knox County, Ohio, on Feb. 18, 1830. When 16 years of age he began working in the carpenter trade, three years later attended school at the academy in Granville, Ohio, and a year later in the Ohio Wesleyan University at Delaware. After leaving this institution he began the study of medicine, teaching school during the intervals of study, and later practiced medicine in Muscatine.
In October 1865, Dr. Beardsley came to Burlington and became the editor and one of the proprietors of the Burlington Hawkeye and so continuing until his withdrawal from that paper in June 1874. He represented Des Moines county in the state senate from 1870 to 1878, serving as chairman on the committees on federal relations, on schools, and also a member of the committee on railroads and printing.
After his retirement from the Hawkeye, he spent several months abroad. During the years 1876, ’77and ’78 he took an active part in politics, speaking in many of the counties of the state, and in Feb. 1878, was appointed by President Hayes one of the coinage commissioners to visit the United States Mint in Philadelphia.
In January 1879, Secretary Crary tendered him a position in the war department to assist in the preparation of the war records for publication. This position was accepted, but six weeks later the office of the fourth auditor of the treasury department became vacant, and he was appointed to that position by the president.
In Oskaloosa, Iowa, Nov. 23, 1865, the marriage of Charles Beardsley and Eliza M. Pool was celebrated. Mrs. Beardsley is the daughter of Simon Pool, formerly of Franklin County, Ohio, where he had been known as one of the early and staunch abolitionists. Their children at Florence, Charles, Jr., George, Simon and John, and an infant daughter, deceased. The family are members of the Congregational church. Dr. Beardsley was for several years (1867 to 1874) superintendent of the Sunday school of the First Congregational church of Burlington, and while in Washington DC, was a trustee and president of the First Congregational society in that city.
The funeral will be held Dec. 30, at 2 pm at the Congregational church.