BECKWITH, WARREN, CAPT.,
contractor for masonry work on the C. B. & Q. R. R.; born in Monroe Co., N.
Y., Jan. 31, 1833, and received his education there; studied surveying civil
engineering when he was 19 years of age; and in 1852-54, he was engaged on the
Genesee Valley R. R. (now the Rochester Branch of the Erie R. R.) Went to
Kansas in 1854, and came to Iowa in May, 1856; became connected with the B.
& M. R. R., directly after the Land Grant Act was passed, from 1856 to
1860, then resigned and went to Texas with stock. When the war broke out,
returned here and enlisted in the 4th Regt. Iowa Cav.; held the position of Battalion
Adjutant; he was promoted to Captain, Jan. 1, 1863; he was in a number of
severe fights and skirmishes; in the battle of Guntown one-third of his men
engaged were killed and wounded; he was in the service until August, 1865. Upon
his return, was appointed Roadmaster of the B. & M. R. R., and held that
position until the consolidation of this road with the C, B. &Q. R. R.,
when he was appointed Superintendent of the track and bridges over the whole
line, which position he held until he was appointed chief engineer of the whole
line. On account of his health he has recently resigned. He married Miss
Louzenia Wallace Porter April 14, 1863; she is a daughter of Col. A. B. Porter,
one of the earliest settlers of Henry Co. They have five children—Everett,
Orville, Emily, Florence and Warren.
SOURCE: Western Historical Company, Chicago, Illinois, The History of Henry County, Iowa, 1879,
p. 559
EDITOR’S NOTE:
Captain Beckwith’s son Warren Wallace Beckwith, married Jessie Harlan Lincoln,
the granddaughter of President Abraham Lincoln.
