Emelia Milliken

Port Royal Times, June 28, 1888 page 3

TUSCARORA VALLEY ITEMS.

The old style of letter writing beginning, "I take my pen in hand to let you know that I am well at present," so I take my pen in hand to let you know some of the notable happenings in far famed Tuscarora, the, the most notable and surprising of which was a visit made by the aged mother of Dr. D. J. Beale, of Johnstown to the home of her niece, Mrs. M. A. Barnard, and of her nephew, Hon. J. D. Milliken, taking dinner with one and supper with the other, and returning to her home in the evening. Having expressed a wish to visit the home of her childhood, the old farm on which her grandfather died during the revolutionary war of disease contracted in the service, and the birthplace of uncles and brother and sister, and which has not been owned outside the connection during all these years since 1764. Her son, James, with whom she has her home, cheerfully provided a conveyance, and in company with himself and daughter, Aunt Millie took a ride of about nine miles, a journey which appears formidable when we consider that in a few days she will have completed the 87th year of her life. The old homestead farm is now in possession of her nephew, Hon. J. D. Milliken, and during her visit this aged lady saw many heirlooms and relics of revolutionary and earlier days as well as of later times. She expressed herself as much gratified by her visit, and could not have been more pleased than those whom she visited.


Juniata Herald death notice & obituary, January 4, 1894

DEATH'S WORK

Miss Millie Beale, born in Tuscarora Valley, July 14, 1801, departed this life at her residence in Bealetown, Dec. 20, 1893, in her 93rd year. What a great age We naturally associate with such advanced years great bodily infirmaties, the absense of former companions, decay of natural spirits and the neglect of society. And yet, it is doubtful if "Aunt Milly," as all Tuscarora Valley familiarly called this venerable woman, had ever thought of these burdens of old age except, possibly, "the absence of former companions." She really had scarcely any of the ills of old age. She had a marvelou beauty in her unwrinkled face, a complete absense of bodily pain, a remarkable cheerfulness of spirits and scores and scores of ardent friends, even among the young children of the village and neighborhood, who visited her often and often and loved to hear words and receive her blessings. She enjoyed life and everything. She often said that old age was honorable and that length of days was a scriptural blessing. She was confident that her Master, whose she was and shom she served, would no cast her off in the time of old age nor forsake her when her strength failed. She died in the full possession of all her mental powers; and, last of ten brother and sisters, went home to Heaven to meet the other nine whom, it is believed, preceeded her to that Happy Home and who were waiting to welcome her "over there." Among her last words were "Come, Lord Jesus, Come Quickly." "Sin shall not have dominion over me." "Simply to Thy Cross I Cling."

On the 23rd ult., the mortal remains of the deceased was carried by the sons, David, James, McConnell and Frank from her late residence to the hearse. The same body bearers carried the sacred dust into the McCulloch's Mills Presbyterian church where, in the presence of a large audience, the Rev. S. A. Davenport delivered a very appropriate funeral discourse. After the sermon and after the people had viewed the familiar face once more, six of the grand children acted as pall bearers to the grave where she was buried beside her husband, old Joshua Beale, who died 18 years before. There was gently laid away a mother in Isreal in the assesion of a blessful resurrection and a gloriously immortality.

Port Royal Times obituary, May 10, 1911

Obituary of Jas. M. Beale

James Milliken Beale was born March 25th, 1837, and died in the same house and in the same room in which he was born, May 6th, 1911, aged 74 years, 1 month and 11 days.

John Beale, the original ancestor of the family in America, was a native of England, and came to this country with the Penn family. He was a surveyor, and assisted in laying out the city of Philadelphia. His son, William Beale, was a farmer and a minister of the Society of Friends.

David Beale, son of Mr. Beale, and grandfather of James M. Beale was a native of Chester county, Pa, and was educated in Philadelphia. He came to the Tuscarora valley in company with Thomas, an older brother, about 1765.

Thomas settled near Academia, Pa, and built a grist-mill, David took up a large tract of land on which he built a grist and saw-mill, the site of the historic Bealetown, about 1773. In 1814 he built a stone house, one of the first erected in the township, and here he died in 1828, aged 83 yrs. He was married to Rachel McConnell in 1776. They had ten children, Mary died young, William, James, Mary, who married Thomas McConnell, Anna wife of Joseph McCoy, David, Joshua, Jesse, Rachel wife of Hon. Thomas I. Milliken, Edith wife of Thomas Van Sweringen. His wife died in 1843.

Joshua Beale, father of James M. Beale received a common school education. He was one of the largest stock dealers in the county. At the death of his father he took charge of the home farm.

He died there in 1875 aged 84 yrs. He married Milly Milliken in 1834, who died Dec. 20th, 1893, aged 92 yrs. They had five children Rev. David I. Beale, D.D. who died in Phila. Oct. 19, 1900; James M. S. McConnell, died Dec. 1, 1897, R. Jennie, wife of Rev. Newton Ritner of Phila and J. Frank of Phila.

James M. Beale received his education in the Tuscarora township school and made farming his life occupation. He has always lived on the old homestead, never having been away from this house a month at a time during his life.

His mission in life was of the unobtrusive and quiet kind. His home, his neighborhood, and his church kenw him best. The good things of his character and life were shown there. He took the home mansion and farm on the death of his father, and maintaining it by diligent toil and removing the obligations due to others out of it was premitted to see it established as his own. He had only this spring retired from its active care, and placed it in charge of his nephew and neighbor, George N. Bender.

His home circle was a pleasant one. The aged mother spent all her declining days there, sharing the love and devotion of all its inmates.

The family kindred found it a place where they loved to gather year by year for mother's and old acquaintance sake.

His devotion to his church was as consistant as the alternate rising and setting of the daily sun. His place in the Sanctuary was almost never vacant. His household were bought with him. The Sabbath school shared in their efforts in its behalf.

He, himself was choir-leader for thirty five years of his life, and always rendered that service of leading the praises of God's house with alacrity and joy. He served on the board of trustees with fidelity and acted for quite a number of years as the treasurer of the church. It is men of his stamp who make the strength of our homes, our communities and our churches. We can ill afford to lose them out of our midst, and we can devoutly wish that their number may be multiplied, taking up all duties as they arise, and performing them to the end.

He has been President of the Beale Reunion Association since its organization and took great pleasure in these annual gatherings of his kinsfolk. Just two days before his death he had gone to see the other officers of the association and made arrangements for the reunion in June.

November 28, 1867, he was married to Matilda J. Randolph, daughter of John and Hannah (Kepner) Randolph. Their children are Anna Jennette, died Aug. 20th, 1889, Millie J. wife of Samuel W. McClure of Byron, Nebr., Junia M. wife of Steward M. Milliken, East Waterford, Pa.; James Franklin, of Port Royal, married to Grace A. Reed; Tillie Florence died Oct. 16, 1880; John Randolph died Oct. 18, 1883 and Lila M at home.

His grandchildren are Stella May and James Clyde Milliken and Kathryn and Frank Reed Beale.

On Friday afternoon he with is grand daughter, Stella Milliken, drove to Willow Run and after returning put his team away, came into the house and talked quite a while. And about 7 o'clock, after doing nearly all his evening work, and when starting away from the pig-pen, Stella heard him call and saw him fall.

He regained consciousness in a few minutes and remained conscious until his death. About 4 o'clock on Saturday evening he looked at the clock and when told the time closed his eyes and died without a struggle.

Short services were here held at the house of the deceased, Wednesday May 10th. A prayer was offered by Rev. Hyde, "Thy WIll be done" was sung by the McCulloch's Mills choir and by request sang "The Man of Galilee" which Mr. Beale and his daughter Lila sang as a duet a few days before he died and it is thought to be the last piece he ever sang.

The church at McCulloch's Mills was draped in mourning. When the procession entered the church the organist played "Come unto me when shadows darkly gather."

Prayer by Rev. Hyde Singing "I would not live always" Scripture reading, Singing, "How blest the righeous when he dies", Sermon by Rev. W. M. Hyde, who took his text in I Cor. 15,6; "But some are fallen asleep".

Rev. Davenport, a former pastor spoke of his long acquaintance with the deceased and of his faithfulness in the church and in the community. While the audience viewed the remains two hymns were sung ntitled, "Lead kindly light" and "I know that my Redeemer liveth".

The pall-bearers were T. Beale Barnard, James H. Neely, Thomas M. Steward, Geo. W. Bender, D. B. Van Sweringen and Geo. Middagh.

The following persons were in attendance from a distance: Mr. J. Frank Beale, Mrs. I Newton Ritner and Dr. J. C. C. Beale, of Phila.; Mr. Joseph Owens and Mrs. Robert Hughes, of Lewistonw; Mrs. S. H. Randolph, of Milroy, Mr. John Fitzgerald, Millerstown, Mr. and Mrs. Robert Boden and Mr. and Mrs. W. J. Allen, Landisburg.

Return to the immigrant Thomas Milliken

MILLIKENS of Juniata Co PA Please send all comments to Michael A Milliken.

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