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biography from Portrait & Biographical Album of Mahaska Co., Iowa, 1887
PROF. J. A. BEATTIE, one of the prominent factors in the progress and prosperity of Oskaloosa College, is a native of Ashland County, Ohio, where he was born May 11, 1845. His parents, John and Isabel (Thom) Beattie, were both born in Aberdeen, Scotland, the former April 21, 1817, and the latter Feb. 10, 1827. When young people they came to America with their parents, the elder Beattie settling in Richland County, Ohio, and Mr. Thorn in Ashland County. Their marriage occurred in the spring of 1844, and they first settled in Huron County, but later, in Ashland. They became the parents of. nine children, viz.: Prof. J. A., our subject; Wililam S., of Geneva, Ohio; John H., of New London, Ohio; Mary J., widow of Robert Hamilton, now living in Huron, where she is Principal of the village schools; Robert M., attorney and Clerk of the Court of Huron County, Ohio; Kate I., a graduate of Hiram College and Principal of the Ladies' Department of that institution; Nettie, wife of Robert McCabe, of New London, Ohio; Edward and Herbert, residing with their mother. Mr. Beattie was at first a Free-soiler in his political convictions, but later affiliated with the Republican party, and held several offices of trust. He went into Ohio a poor young man, hewed a farm out of the heavy wood, and identified himself in all ways with the best element of the society of his neighborhood. He was a firm friend of education, and gave his children an unusually liberal education for a new country, He was himself a man well posted in local and national affairs. When in the prime of life, he joined the Baptist Church, but subsequently united with the Christian Church, of which he was a member at the time of his death. Mrs. Beattie is still living in Ashland County, and is also a member of the Christian ChQrch. Prof. Beattie was reared upon a farm until he was eighteen years of age, helping in the duties incident to farm labor, and attending the common schools. He then hired out by the month, saving his earnings, so that, at the age of twenty-one, he was able to enter Savannah Academy. During the winter months, however, he taught the district school. He was then employed in Linn Academy until he entered Bethany College, at Bethany, Va., and graduated in 1873. In the fall of that year he was engaged as assistant in the department of mathematics in Bethany College. While there teaching, he was elected Superintendent of Public Schools of Ashland County, and served two years. He then became connected with Bedford College, at Bedford, Ind., being Professor of Mathematics, and the last two years President of the college. During the five years, with the exception of four months, he supplied the pulpit of the Christian Church. He was also associated in carrying on an educational journal, and also was called as an instructor in the Normal Institute. Prof. Beattie came to Oskaloosa Sept. 17, 1881, and has since filled the Chair of Mathematics for three years in Oskaloosa College, and served as Professor of Philosophy and English Literature. He has ever taken an active interest in educational affairs, and has done a great work in his special line. Our subject was married, Aug. 26, 1873, at Savannah, Ohio, to Maggie D., daughter of William and Isabel (Forbes) Benton, and who was born in Ashland County, Ohio, Oct. 11, 1847. They are the parents of four children, as follows: Rolla Kent, born July 14, 1875; Ethel B., March 31, 1878; Mabel B., May 30, 1880, and M. M., July 19, 1885.
Portrait & Biographical Album of Mahaska Co., Iowa, 1887
Mahaska County, Iowa Genealogy