McDonough ILGenWeb

BEELEY, John Allen, who is successfully engaged in the jewelry business in Blandinsville, McDonough County, Ill., was born in Morgan County, Ill., near Arenzville, on January 19, 1860, a son of Joseph and Martilla (Houston) Beeley, the father being a native of England, and the mother of Illinois. Joseph Beeley came from England to the United States and journeyed to the State of Illinois, where he settled in Morgan County in the 'forties. There he devoted his attention to agricultural pursuits, and is now living on the old homestead farm in Morgan County, one-half mile south of Arenzville. John A. Beeley was reared on his father's farm, and in his youth attended the public schools of Morgan County. In early manhood he learned the trade of a jeweler in Springfield, after which he located at Meredosia, Ill., where he remained four years. In 1890 he established himself in the jewelry and optician line in Blandinsville, where he has since conducted a store. In 1902 he moved into his present place of business, where he does all kinds of repair work and handles a full line of fine jewelry, sewing machines, graphophones and fine stationery. He gives close attention to his customers, and is meeting with merited success.

On January 10, 1900, the subject of this sketch was joined in wedlock with Grace Ermine Hitch, who was born and schooled in McDonough County. One child, Helen, has resulted from this union. Mrs. Beeley is a daughter of Mr. and Mrs. James P. Hitch, of Blandinsville. Mr. Beeley professes the religious faith of the Christian church. Politically, he is a Prohibitionist, and fraternally is connected with the A. F. & A. M.

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Source: The Historical Encyclopedia of Illinois and History of McDonough County, compiled by Dr. Newton Bateman, and Paul Shelby, 1907, volume 2, pages 823-824, extracted 19 Nov 2018 by Norma Hass.