Nathan Thomas Beals (1856-1915) was my maternal 3rd-great grandfather. What follows is an exploratory analysis of the biographical data I have discovered about him.
1. Vital Records
1.1. Birth Certificate
Nathan's birth occurred on the 2nd day of the 7th month in 18561. The Beals genealogy states that his birth occurred at Westfield, Hamilton County, Indiana1. Indiana did not require birth certificates until 1907.
1.1.1. Birth Notice in Newspaper
If Nathan's birth was recorded in the newspaper, I've not located it yet. Will need to check with local archives and state archives to see if they have any newspapers of the time period.
1.1.2. Bible Record
I am not aware of any surviving Beals family Bible that might record his birth. Will continue to reach out to extended family in hopes that one might be found.
1.1.3. Baptismal Record
I am not aware of any baptismal record for Nathan. The family was members of the Society of Friends (Quaker) church.
1.1.4. Adoption Record
There is no indication that Nathan was adopted.
1.2. Marriage License
Nathan married Elizabeth Caroline Poe on September 26, 1876 in Hamilton County, Indiana2. Elizabeth was born September 26, 1856 in Morgan County, Indiana. They raised three daughters in Hamilton County, Indiana and Richardson County, Nebraska. Elizabeth died September 27, 1935 near Greentown, Howard County, Indiana.
1.2.1 Marriage Notice in Newspaper
Will need to search contemporary newspaper accounts to see if mention was made of Nathan and Elizabeth's nuptials.
1.2.2. Anniversary Notice
Nathan and Elizabeth's 25th wedding anniversary would have been September 26, 1901. Will need to search contemporary newspaper accounts to see if there was any mention of any anniversary celebration. Will add this to my list of "to-do" items for my next research trip.
1.2.3. Divorce Decree
Though there is no indication of divorce, will need to search court records in Hamilton County, Indiana to be sure there aren't records I've missed. Will add this to my list of "to-do" items for my next research trip.
1.3. Death Certificate
Nathan died February 16, 1915 in Leola, Grant County, Arkansas, according to his obituary3. I've been unable to find a copy of his death certificate in online searches in Arkansas. Letters to the local historical society have not provided information either.
1.3.1. Obituary in Newspaper
Nathan's obituary appeared in the February 19, 1915 edition of the Sheridan News3. I've previously blogged about his obituary here.
1.3.2. Funeral Home Records
I need to check with the local historical society to see what funeral home handled Nathan's arrangements. The funeral was held in Cicero at the M.E. church. Will add this to my list of "to-do" items for my next research trip.
1.3.3. Tombstone Photograph
Nathan's tombstone in the Cicero Cemetery in Cicero, Indiana has been photographed4. The link to his memorial at FindAGrave is here.
2. Census Records
2.1. Federal Census Records
2.1.1. 1910 Federal Census
On April 16, 1910, Nathan was enumerated as head of household in Jackson Township, Hamilton County, Indiana5, as Nathan T. Beals, age 53. He had been married for 33 years, and his occupation was listed as a lumber yard superintendent. He was born in Indiana, his father was born in Indiana and his mother born in North Carolina.
2.1.2. 1900 Federal Census
On June 1, 1900, Nathan was enumerated as head of household in Jackson Township, Hamilton County, Indiana6, as Nathan T. Beals, age 44, married for 24 years, and his occupation was listed as a dealer in hardware. He was born in Indiana, his father was born in Ohio and his mother born in North Carolina.
2.1.3. 1880 Federal Census
On June 12, 1880, Nathan was enumerated as head of household in Humboldt, Richardson County, Nebraska7, as Nathan Beales, age 24, married, and his occupation was listed as farmer. He was born in Indiana, his father was born in Ohio, and his mother born in North Carolina.
2.1.4. 1870 Federal Census
On August 19, 1870, Nathan was enumerated in the John Beals household in Washington Township, Hamilton County, Indiana8, as Nathan T. Beals, age 14, working on the farm. He was born in Indiana.
2.1.5. 1860 Federal Census
On June 19, 1860, Nathan was enumerated in the John Bales household in Washington Township, Hamilton County, Indiana9, as Nathan T. Bales, age 4, born in Indiana.
2.2. State Census Records
On June 4, 1885, Nathan was enumerated as head of household in Humboldt, Richardson County, Nebraska10, as N.T. Beals, age 29, school teacher, born in Indiana.
The State of Indiana conducted state census in 1853, 1857, 1871, 1877, 1883, 1889, 1901, 1913, 1919 and 1931. These, however, were merely for the purposes of legislative apportionment.
2.3. Agricultural Census Records
I have not yet investigated these types of census records to see what information might be shed on the Beals farm.
3. Military Records
3.1. Draft Registration
Not applicable.
3.2. Pension Records
I have not found any evidence that Nathan was to receive pension benefits.
3.3. Service Records
I have not found any evidence of military service by Nathan.
4. Land Records
4.1. Deed Records
Deed records need to be thoroughly searched in Hamilton County, Indiana and Richardson County, Nebraska.
4.2. Plat map / county map
Plat maps in Hamilton County, Indiana and Richardson County, Nebraska need to be thoroughly searched to see what information they might contain about the Beals family.
5. Supplemental Records
Supplemental records available for research on Nathan include city/county directories, court records and will and probate records. Will add these to my list of "to-do" items for my next research trip.
Sources:
1. Beals, John, "Chronology of the Beals Family", Butler Printing House, Noblesville, Indiana, 1912, page 43.
2. "Indiana Marriages, 1811-1959," index and images, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/pal:/MM9.1.1/VXPP-TJB : accessed 15 Oct 2013), Nathan T Beal and Elizabeth E Poe, 1876.
3. Died in Arkansas, Sheridan News, Sheridan, Indiana, 19 February 1915, page 4. FindAGrave, Inc., FindAGrave (www.findagrave.com : accessed 30 Mar 2015), Nathan T. Beals tombstone
5. Nathan T. Beals household, 1910 U.S. census, Hamilton County, Indiana, population schedule, town of Cicero, ED 104, SD 9, sheet 2, dwelling 33, family 34, National Archives micropublication T624, roll 353.
6. Nathan T. Beals household, 1900 U.S. census, Hamilton County, Indiana, population schedule, Jackson Township, ED 85, SD 9, sheet 1, dwelling 15, family 18, National Archives micropublication T623, roll 375.
7. Nathan Beales household, 1880 U.S. census, Richardson County, Nebraska, population schedule, city of Humboldt, ED 320, SD 1, page 27, dwelling 61, family 63; National Archives micropublication T9, roll 754.
8. John Beals household, 1870 U.S. census, Hamilton County, Indiana, population schedule, Washington township, page 82, dwelling 633, family 621; National Archives micropublication M593, roll 319.
9. John Bales household, 1860 U.S. census, Hamilton County, Indiana, population schedule, Washington township, page 87, dwelling 112, family 112; National Archives micropublication M653, roll 263.
10. "Nebraska State Census, 1885," index and images, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/pal:/MM9.1.1/X3F4-G2K : accessed 22 January 2015), N T Beals, 1885; citing NARA microfilm publication M532 (Washington, D.C.: National Archives and Records Administration, n.d.); FHL microfilm 499,573.
This post was developed as part of the series relating to Building My 2011 Research Template, an attempt to systematically document and source the details of my ancestors' lives. Comments regarding this template and the conclusions drawn in this article are welcomed.
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