Mary Elizabeth Beckstead

Mary Elizabeth Calkins Beckstead was the daughter of Chauncey Ira Calkins and Sarah Kellogg. She was a native of New York, and came with her family to Nauvoo, Illinois, about 1840. Mary's family were members of the Mormon church. Two of her brothers served with the Morman Brigade.

She married Simon Beckstead at Nauvoo on 30 Aug 1845. The Beckseads were also members of the Morman church and natives of Canada. Simon and Mary had 10 children. Their oldest, Sarah Maria (Hessong) was born in Illinois in 1846. The family then moved to Fremont County, Iowa, and were pioneer settlers of the future town of Hamburg. The following children were born in Fremont County: Matilda Ann (Claiborne), Sabra (Moore), Amanda Malvina "Vina" (Wood/Jennings), Francis "Frank", Mary Elizabeth "Lizzie", Simon Peter who died at the age of 5 years, Catherine Caroline (Wiltrout), Angeline "Angie" (Daniels), and Almira who died at the age of 1 year.

Mary died in 1864 at the age of 33 years 5 months 11 days. Almira died four months later. Inscription: MARY E Wife of Simon P. Bexstead (Beckstead) Dau of C.I. Calkins DIED Apr 10, 1864 AGED 33 Ys 5 Ms 11 D

"Kind angels watch her sleeping dust, Till Jesus comes to raise the just, Then may she waken with sweet surprise, And in her savior's image rise."

• Updated from Find A Grave Memorial by SmartCopy: Jun 27 2015, 22:28:18 UTC