The Middleburgh post. [volume] (Middleburgh, Snyder Co., Pa.) 1883-1916, 1888-03-22
OBITUARY.

IL daye.
DR.. Charles Wellington Beckus
was born 10 Middleburgh, Sny der
Co. Pa, January 1S, 1910. While
be was yet boy bis father moved to
Selinsgrove, same county, where he
grew to manhood. His advanced
education wae received at Tuscarora,
Pa. He graduated at the Pennsyl-
vauia Medical college in Philadel-
phia in 1853, at the age Of lS years.
lie afterwards located at Fishers
vile, Pa, where be practiced medi
cine ill the war broke out when he
joined the army as surgeon OF the
Goth Reg. Pa. Vol. Infantry and was
subsequently, promoted to brigade
surgeon aud for time was in charge
Of the hospital at Wilmington, N. c.
lie was at the battle of Gettysburg
and was the first surgeon to minister
to Major Daniel E Sckes when be
lost bis leg. He participated in the
various battles Of the wilderness, and
was with Gen. Butler in his eypedis
tion against Fort Fisher.
At the close Of the war he came
west to Elkhart Ind, where be had
acquaintaDces, aud located in Three
) Rivers in 1866 and practiced his
profession with eminent success till
FIVE or six years ago when his health
became so precarious that he retired
from regular practice. lie had con-
tracted disease Of stomach aud bow
els while in the army which clung to
him through his subsequent life, and
finally consigned him to the grave
or late years be has travelled much ia
the south and west in quest OF eli
mate and conditions that would res
tore his health but searched in vain
In 1868 he formed o matrimonial
, alliance with Miss Matte Caldwell
| who has been his faithful, loving
helpmeat and companion through al
these years Of prosperity and suffer-
ing. To her affectionate watch-carc
: and constant attention he was doubt.
\ less indebted for tho prolongation Of
< his life number of years. For be
, bad been near deaths door on several
previous occasions. She has ever
been by his side, tenderly, lovingly
constantly ministering to his wants
: DIR. Baokus was o prominent mason
b and was, at the time of his death
, eminent commander of the knights
templar of this village position thai
he had ss9.a repeatedly. lie was
ION, or Of the El. NJ. Prutzmap post
~ ~ !. y. .was member of the Loya
Legion Vi CGe y D, and OF the Mich
igan State Medical association.
He was justly reputed a skilfu
physician and surgeon and Q gentl,
man Of rare integrity He wa
somewhat reserved and reticent il
manner, rarely volunteering an opin.
ion uuasked and even then with de-
liberation. lie thought twice ant
spoke once, 30 careful was he to rem
der correct judgement. He prefer
cd being right ID simply appearing
to be wise. lie was thought by som,
to be distant and aristocratic in feel
ing, but those who knew him best
found him genial and companionabl'
His wife survives him, bereft anC
lonely; for they were never blessed
with any children. Two brothers
S. S and Geo. A. Backus and sis
ter, Mrs. Sarah A. Else, all Of Phila
delphia, also survive.
The funeral took place at th'
home at 2 o'clock, p. IN; Thursday
Rev j. A Rsnney Of Kalamazoo Of
ficiating. The remains were escort
. ed TO Riverside cemetery by th,
:, Knights Templsr and Ell. 81. Prutz
man post, 6. A. p. Peake, of Centre
4 vile, on behalf Of the order Of Mas
oniy made a brie! address at tn
. grave, but he was not buried will
the ceremony of either OF the orders
it being understood that it was hi
reqest that no ostenta ton or unus
ual display should be exhibited OF
! the occasion.
The community unite in sympath,
, for the sorrowing wife aud friend
;, and mourn with them, for all recog
. nize in his death public bereave
!, ment.
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