Harvey Childs Beeson
Jan. 1, 1856-Feb. 13, 1918
1918 OBITUARY, Vicksburg newspaper:
Harvey Childs Beeson was born at Niles, Michigan, on January 1, 1856 and departed this life on Wednesday, February 13, 1918. His parents were Jacob Beeson, one of the prominent pioneer residents of Michigan who had a large banking and brokerage interests in Detroit, and Elizabeth House. In his youth Harvey moved to Detroit with his parents and his early business life was with his father in the grain business. Later he was for several years Marine Clerk in the Custom House at Detroit, where he first conceived the idea of publishing a book for the help of sailor men and it steadily grew until he devoted his entire time to it. He has now published this Marine Directory of the Northwestern Lakes for 32 years and it will be a lasting monument to his ability as an organizer and through master of the publisher's art. Mr. Beeson was married on May 24, 1893 to Miss Esther Clapp, daughter of one of Michigan's foremost attorneys at Niles, Michigan. She became associated with him in his chosen work and survives him. He also left to mourn his lost two sons by a former marriage: Walter B. Beeson, a prominent businessman of Saginaw, Michigan, and Capt. Harvey C. Beeson of Company A, 328th Field Artillery, now stationed at Fort Sill, Oklahoma. Also four sisters, Mrs. Charles M. Garrison of Detroit, Mrs. H. L. Rankin of Philadelphia, Mrs. S. O. A. Murphy of Spring Valley, N. Y. and Mrs. William H. Marston of Kent, Ohio and their families. Mr. Beeson became a member of the First Presbyterian Church of Vicksburg last year and is a member of Brady Lodge No. 208, A. F. & A. M. of Vicksburg. Simple but very impressive funeral services were held in Truesdale's Chapel at Kalamazoo Saturday, Feb. 16. Rev. G. E. Carpenter of Vicksburg telling in beautiful expressed words the striking characteristics possessed by Mr. Beeson and the asteem in which he was held. This text was taken from Isaiah 41:13, one which Mrs. Beeson found of great help in her recent sore bereavement. A wealth of beautiful flowers testified to the regard of his friends and neighbors, church and Masonic associates.
The body was taken to Niles for burial, being placed in the vault in Silver Brook Cemetery for future internment. A large number of Vicksburg friends were in attendance beside the following relatives and friends from abroad: his son Walter B. Beeson and wife of Saginaw, his sister, Mrs. W. H. Marston of Kent, Ohio, Philip C. Garrison, a nephew of Detroit, Mrs. John W. Bailey of Battle Creek, Mr. and Mrs. David D. Waltz of Niles and Mr. J. Brouse of Chicago. Awaiting the funeral party at Niles were Mr. Beeson's son, Capt. Harvey C. Beeson, Philip J. D. Van Dyke of Chicago, a nephew, and the manager of Mr. Beeson's Chicago publishing house, Mr. H. W. Sykes.
The pall bearers were chosen from among Mr. Beeson's personal friends at Niles and a large number of beautiful floral offerings were placed upon the casket from Niles and out of town friends. Mr. Beeson leaves a host of friends and business associates who will mourn his loss.
Mrs. Harvey C. Beeson desires thus publicly to thank the many friends and neighbors, First Presbyterian Sunday school, Christian Endeavor Society, Ladies Aid Society, the Masonic Order, O. E. S. and Lady Maccabees for their beautiful floral offerings and words of sympathy in her sad loss. Also Rev. G. E. Carpenter for his conduct of the services and beautifully chosen words of comfort."
(Vicksburg, Kalamazoo Co., MI newspaper obituary)
Submitted by Brett D Brown, cousin of Esther Clapp, wife of Harvey Beeson.