George McVey Bickett

Newton Edwin Beard was born October 28, 1853, Ashford, Fond du Lac Co., WI, and died May 11, 1926, in the Village of Kasson, Mantorville Twp., Dodge Co., MN, at age 72. Buried in Evergreen Cemetery, Mantorville, Dodge Co., MN. He is the son of George Beard of Sussex, England, and Lavilla Ellen "Libby" Palmer of New York.

Mary Shidell was born May 3, 1854, in Byron Twp., Fond du Lac Co., WI, and died May 24, 1914, in the Village of Kasson, Mantorville Twp., Dodge Co., MN, at age 60. Buried in Evergreen Cemetery, Mantorville, Dodge Co., MN. She is the daughter of Michel Scheidel Jr. of the Village of Croettwiller, Crœttwiller, Bas-Rhin, Grand Est, Alsace, France, and Elizabeth Lyon of New Jersey.

Newton Edwin Beard and Mary Shidell were married December 8, 1875, in Byron, Fond du Lac Co., WI.

Ida H. Benedict was born November 30, 1863, in New York and died November 28, 1949, in Stewartville, Olmstead Co., MN, at age 85. She is the daughter of Nathan S. Benedict of New York and Anna M. Carris of New York. Buried in Maple Grove Cemetery, Kasson, Canisteo Twp., Dodge Co., MN.

Newton Edwin Beard and Ida H. Benedict were married September 8, 1921, in Dodge Co., MN.

Newton Edwin Beard and Mary (Shidell) Beard are buried in Evergreen Cemetery, Mantorville, Mantorville Twp., Dodge Co., MN. George A. Thorn, Millie E. Thorn, Richard N. Thorn, Milo N. Thorn and other Thorn people are also buried there. Della Beard Wheeler and Frank J. Wheeler, too.

Amelia's biological parents were: Newcomb Pelton #37546714 & Elvene Gertrude (Palmer) Pelton #69053438. After Elvene's death, Newcomb came to Dodge Co., MN and allowed Newton and Mary (Shidell) Beard to adopt Amelia at the age of six years old. Newton Beard is the son of Elvene's sister, Lavilla Elen Palmer and George Beard.

OBITUARY - Dodge County Independent - Kasson MN - June 23, 1960
Mrs. Amelia E. Thorn, 77, passed away in St. Mary's hospital in Rochester following a short illness. She had been a redisident of this area all of her life. Mrs. Thorn was the former Amelia Beard and was born June 25, 1882 in Sparta, Wis. and moved here when she was a young girl. She married George Thorn in 1903. He died in 1952. Survivors are a daughter Mrs. Robert Olson of Blooming Prairie; two sons Richard of Minneapolis and Milo of Kasson. The funeral was conducted by the Rev. Davis Achterkirch of Byron at 2 p.m. on Wednesday at the Dibble Funeral Chapel in Kasson. Burial was in Evergreen Cemetery in Mantorville.

George Thorn is one of two sons born to Richard S & Sarah (Jennie) Beard Thorn. His brother Claude Willis Thorn died in 1885.
He married Amelia Emmagene Beard on Oct 07, 1903 in Kasson, Dodge Co., MN. They lived and worked a 122 acre farm in the Kasson area.
George is the father of four children; Richard Newcomb Thorn; Milo Newton Thorn; George Vincent Thorn and Mary Jane (Thorn)Olson.

Newton Edwin Beard was born October 28, 1853, in Ashford, Fond du Lac Co., WI.

The 1860 U. S. Census taken on July 23, 1860, shows Michael Shidle Jr. (age 41) born in Saxony with Real Estate of $2,500 and Personal Estate of $629 is a Farmer and is living in Byron Twp., Fond du Lac Co., WI. Living with him is his wife, Elizabeth Shidle (age 38) born in New Jersey. Also living there are his children: John Shidle (age 13) born in New Jersey; and Mary Shidle (age 5) born in Wisconsin.

Elizabeth (Lyon) Shidell died May 24, 1867, in Byron Twp., Fond du Lac Co., WI, at age 44.

Michael married Anna (Worthing) Willson on December 6, 1868, in Fond du Lac Co., WI.

The 1870 U. S. Census taken on June 10, 1870, shows Michael Shidall (age 52) born in Alsace, France, is a Farmer living in Byron Twp., Fond du Lac Co., WI. Living with him is his wife Angell Shidall (age 45) born in England. Also living there is Mary Shidall (age 16) born in Wisconsin, as well as William H. Wilson (Shidall) (age 16), who is Michael's stepson and Ellen's half-brother. Living on the adjacent farm is John Shidall (age 24) born in New Jersey is a Farmer living in Byron Twp., Fond du Lac Co., WI with real estate valued at $4,000 and personal property of $400. Living with John is his wife Ellen J. Shidall (age 19) born in Wisconsin.

Newton Edwin Beard and Mary Shidell were married December 8, 1875, in Byron, Fond du Lac Co., WI.

The 1880 U. S. Census taken on June 12, 1880, shows Newton E. Beard (age 26) born in Wisconsin to New York and Ohio-born parents is a Farmer and is living in Hayfield Twp., Dodge Co., MN. Living with him is his wife, Mary Beard (age 25) born May 1854 in Wisconsin to German and Unlisted-born parents, who is Keeping House. There is a Willis Beard (age 29) born in Wisconsin to New York and Ohio-born parents, a Farmer, who is Boarding on the adjacent Richard S. Thorne farm.

The 1885 Minnesota State Census taken on June 5, 1885, shows Newton Beard (age 31) born in Wisconsin is living in Mantorville Twp., Dodge Co., MN. Living with him are: Mary Beard (age 30) born in Wisconsin; and Peter Peterson (age 30) born in Denmark.

The 1885 Minnesota State Census taken on June 5, 1885, shows George Beard (age 70) born in England is living in Mantorville Twp., Dodge Co., MN. Living with him is Laula Beard (age 49) born in New York.

George Beard died December 4, 1892, in Kasson, Mantorville Twp., Dodge Co., MN.

The 1895 Minnesota State Census taken on June 15, 1895, shows Newton Beard (age 41) born in Wisconsin having lived in Minnesota for 20 years is a Farmer and is living in Mantorville Twp., Dodge Co., MN. Living with him are: Mary Beard (age 41) born in Wisconsin, a House Wife; Millie Beard (age 12) born in Wisconsin having lived in Minnesota for 1 year; and Tris Melby (age 18) born in Denmark having lived in Minnesota for 1 year, a Farm Laborer.

The 1895 Minnesota State Census taken on June 15, 1895, shows Geo. Henry Beard (age 40) born in Wisconsin and having lived in Minnesota for 20 years and having lived in this district for 20 years is a Farmer and is living in Mantorville Twp., Dodge Co., MN. Living with him are: Susie May Beard (age 28) born in Vermont, a House Wife; Lee A. Beard (age 8) born in Minnesota; Louise A. Bard (age 5) born in Minnesota; Laville Beard (age 59) born in New York; and Bartley Rassnasum (age 20) born in Denmark and having lived in Minnesota for 4 years and having lived in this district for 4 years, a Farm Laborer.

The 1900 U. S. Census taken on June 16, 1900, shows Newton Beard (age 46) born October 1853 in Wisconsin to English and New York-born parents is a Farmer and is living in Mantorville Twp., Dodge Co., MN. Living with him is his childless wife of 24 years, Mary Beard (age 46) born in Wisconsin to German and New Jersey-born parents. Also living there is his unmarried adopted daughter: Amelia Beard (age 17) born June 1882 in Wisconsin to Ohio-born parents. Also living there are: his widowed uncle, Newcomb Pelton (age 63) born November 1836 in Ohio to Ohio-born parents; and his widowed mother, Laville Pelton (age 65) born July 1834 in New York to New York-born parents, with the only child born to her still alive. Leigh Larson note: Newcomb L. Pelton married Gertrude Elvene Palmer on October 19, 1863, in Byron, Fond du Lac Co., WI. Newcomb L. Pelton died 1905 in Minnesota.

George Albert Thorn and Amelia Emmagene "Millie" Pelton/Beard were married October 7, 1903, in Kasson, Dodge Co., MN.

The 1905 Minnesota State Census taken on June 7, 1905, shows Newton E. Beard (age 51) born in Wisconsin to English and New York-born parents and having lived in Minnesota for 29 years and 8 months and having lived in this district for 1 year and 2 months is a Land Lord and is living in the Village of Kasson, Mantorville Twp., Dodge Co., MN. Living with him is Mary S. Beard (age 51) born in Wisconsin to German and New Jersey-born parents and having lived in Minnesota for 29 years and 8 months and having lived in this district for 1 year and 2 months, does House Work. Also living there is Della E. Beard (age 14) born in Minnesota to Wisconsin-born parents and having lived in Minnesota for 14 years and 6 months and having lived in this district for 9 months.

The 1910 U. S. Census taken on April 18, 1910, shows Newton Beard (age 56) born in Wisconsin to English and New York-born parents is a Retired Farmer and is living in the Village of Kasson, Mantorville Twp., Dodge Co., MN. Living with him is his wife of 34 years, Mary Beard (age 53) born May 1854 in Wisconsin to German and New Jersey-born parents.

Mary (Shidell) Beard died May 24, 1914, in the Village of Kasson, Mantorville Twp., Dodge Co., MN, at age 60. Buried in Evergreen Cemetery, Mantorville, Dodge Co., MN.

The 1920 U. S. Census taken on January 10, 1920, shows Newton E. Beard (age 66) born in Wisconsin to English and New York-born parents is a widower who owns his home free of a mortgage and is living alone in the Village of Kasson, Mantorville Twp., Dodge Co., MN.

Newton Edwin Beard died May 11, 1926, in the Village of Kasson, Mantorville Twp., Dodge Co., MN, at age 72. Buried in Evergreen Cemetery, Mantorville, Dodge Co., MN.

Dodge County Republican, Dodge Co., MN, May 13, 1926

N. E. BEARD, PRESIDENT SCHOOL BOARD, PASSES

HAD LIVED AN ACTIVE, USEFUL LIFE AND WILL BE GREATLY MISSED

Mr. Newton Edwin Beard passed peacefully on to his eternal home Tuesday morning, at 7:30 o'clock. His health had been gradually failing the past year or more, it having been greatly impaired by paralysis agitans. But the immediate cause of his death was pneumonia. The funeral service will be held at the Methodist church tomorrow, Friday afternoon, at 2 :30 o'clock, interment being made in Evergreen cemetery, Mantorville. Mr. Beard was born in Fond du Lac county, Wis., Oct. 28th, 1853, At the time of his passing, May 11th, 1926, he had attained the age of 72 years, six months and 13 days. His parents, George and Lavilla Beard, were farmers and Newton received his education in the public schools of that county. In 1875, when a young man of 22 years, he came Dodge county, returning the same year to Wisconsin, where was married to Miss Mary Shidell. The young couple returned to Minnesota and located on their farm east of Kasson. About 22 years ago Mr. Beard retired from active farm life and moved into town. Here Mrs. Beard died May 24th, 1914. On Sept. 8th, 1921, Mr. Beard was united in marriage to Miss Ida Benedict of this place. He leaves his widow; a daughter, Mrs. Geo A. Thorn; three grandsons; a sister, Mrs. Richard Thorn, and a brother, Mr. Geo. H. Beard, all of Kasson. Mr. Beard was a man of high Christian character, and was closely identified with the work of the Methodist Episcopal Church, of which he was a faithful member. He was always interested in the life of the community. For the past 21 years he has been a member of the local board of education, serving at different times as secretary, treasurer, and the past two years has been president of the board. He held the offices of township supervisor and county, commissioner for a number of years, and acted as chairman of both of these boards at various times. He was a faithful member of the Modern Woodman, Odd Fellows, Rebekah and Yeoman lodges, holding positions of, trust and honor in these orders. He will be greatly missed by a large circle of friends and acquaintances, who have come in daily contact with him in his many public activities. He has not lived in vain.

The above was furnished by Peggy Olson.

Dodge County MINNESOTA Biographies.....Newton E. Beard October 28 1853 -

File contributed for Minnesota Biographies Project by:
Mike Oiseth MOISETH@mn.rr.com March 19, 2005, 12:13 pm

Author: R. L. Polk & Co.

BEARD, NEWTON E., retired farmer, came to this county in 1875 and located in Mantorville township. He was born in Fond du Lac, Wis., October 28, 1853, to George and Libby E. (Palmer) Beard, who were farmers by occupation. His youth was spent on the farm and in the District school. He married Mary Shidell in 1875. No children have been born to them but they have adopted Amelia Pelton. Mr. Baird is a republican and affiliates with the Methodist Church. His farm of 120 acres is all under a high state of cultivation and the buildings are modern and commodious. As a public official he has served in the office of county commissioner four years, chairman of the board of supervisors of Mantorille township and at present is treasurer of the school board. Our subject is a member of the organization, Rebecca's Royal Neighbors and Yeoman. Financially he is in comfortable circumstances.

Additional Comments:
R. L. Polk & Co. The County of Dodge, Minnesota, 1905. Topographical, Historical,
Pictorial,
Miscellaneous. St. Paul: R. L. Polk & Co., 1905. Page 100.

Dodge County Independent, Kasson, Dodge Co., MN, Thursday, June 23, 1960

MRS. AMELIA E. THORN DIES SUNDAY AT HOSPITAL

Mrs. Amelia E. Thorn, 77, passed away Sunday in St. Marys hospital in Rochester following a short illness. She had been a resident of the area all of her life. Mrs. Thorn was the former Amelia Beard and was born June 25, 1882, in Sparta, Wis. and moved to Kasson when she was a young girl. She married George Thorn in 1903. He died in 1952. Survivors are a daughter Mrs. Robert Olson of Blooming Prairie; two sons, Richard of Minneapolis and Milo of Kasson. The funeral was conducted by the Rev. David Achterkirch of Byron at 2 p.m. on Wednesday in the Dibble Funeral Chapel in Kasson. Burial was in Evergreen Cemetery in Mantorville.

Unknown and Mary/Margaret Scheidel were married October 3, 1871, in Fond du Lac Co., WI.

Della E. (Unknown) Beard: Born November 4, 1890, in Minnesota; Died November 18, 1976, in Ramsey Co., MN (age 86). Married about 1907 in Dodge Co., MN, to Frank James Wheeler: Born September 4, 1886, in Mantorville Twp., Dodge Co., MN; Died June 13, 1957, in Dodge Co., MN (age 70). Divorced 1920 - 1930. Della's mother's maiden name was Fairbank. Frank's mother's maiden name was McFarland.