Transcribed by Denise McLoughlin
Tampico Area Historical Society

Page 207

Thomas L. Beswick, farmer, section 30, Clyde Township, was born Nov. 15, 1852, on section 3 of the township of which he has been a life-long resident. He is the son of Richard and Hannah E. (Knight) Beswick, of whom a biographical narration appears on other pages of this work. They were among the first settlers of the county and the so is one of the first white children born in Clyde Township.

Mr. Beswick was educated in the common schools and brought up with a complete practical knowledge of farming. He was married Dec. 30, 1875, to Sarah, daughter of Chester W. and Ann (Lilnes) Millard. The father was born in Pennsylvania and was of English descent. The mother was born in England and when but four year of age came to America with her parents, who located in Whiteside county in the very earliest period of its history. The parents were married in Clyde Township, where they resided during the entire period of their married life, which was terminated by the death of the father in August, 1881. Mr. Millard was a miller by vocation and erected the first mill in Clyde Township, which was located on Rock Creek, in the east part of the town. He sold that property later on and constructed a second mill on a branch of the creek, situated about the center of the town, of which he retained the ownership during the remainder of his life. He died of cancer on the hand, at 63 years of age. Mrs. Beswick is their only child and was born April 9, 1855, in Clyde Township. She was educated at the common schools of her native township and at Morrison, obtaining a more extended course of study at Lowell, Mass. She devoted some time to teaching previous to her marriage. Four children have been born to Mr. and Mrs. Beswick I the order named: George C., Nov. 19, 1876; Florence A., Aug. 2, 1878; Clarence W., June 23, 1880; Carrie E., Aug. 15, 1882.

After marriage Mr. Beswick rented farms situated at different points in Clyde Township, and operated in that method until 1885, when he purchased 210 acres of homestead of his father. He is an experienced and skillful farmer and is making a specialty of raising Poland China swine and Short-Horn cattle. He is a Democrat and has served his township for some time in the capacity of Collector. Mrs. Beswick is a member of the Episcopal Church.