Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1905-09-12

Mr.. John S. Beach, CLERK OF the C1r-
cult and Corporation Courts of this city,
died at his home on north st. Asaph
street last night. The deceased had been
suffering from valvular disease OF the
heart, but during the past few days he
had seemingly improved and had been
at his Office and moving about the city.
His sudden death was therefore unex-
pected and was shock to bis many
friends and acquaintance.
The deceased was an old and we'll
known citizen and was deservedly popu-
lar with large circle of friends and &C
ouaintances. He was native OF Fair
fax county, but had lived in Alexandra
during most of his life. The deceased
was a son of the late Samuel Beach who
was for many years a Justice OF the
Peace of this city. He was born on
August 8, 1887, and was consequently
in his 69th year. Mr.. Beach with his
parents and his brother, the late Samuel
Beach (who at one time had charge OF
the old Lancasterian schoo, on the site
of the present Washington school build
ipp) came to Alexandria in lS45. He
was educated at the old Alexandria
Academy, conducted by the late Prof.
Robert L. Brockett, and i'll 1857 he
opened a private school on the northwest
corner of Princess and Columbus streets
in what was known as the old cannon
house, which he conducted for a number
of wears. Some time after the establish
ment of the public school system in this
city he was made vice principal of the
Washington School, which position he
filled until January /, 1884, when be
was appointed clerk of the courts for this
CITY to succeed Col. Morton Marye. Mr..
Beach was eventually elected clerk and
had been chosen to succeed himself ever
since.
Mr.. Beach first appeared in political
life alter the State had been readmitted to
the union in 1870, when he was a can
didate for Clerk of the Courts. tie was
opposed by Col. Morton Marye. The
latter was elected, and in 1884, after the
downfall of MahOneism and the election
of Col. Marye as Auditor, Mr.. Beach was
appointed to the clerkship. Last June
he was nominated as the candidate for
the position at the democratic primary
election. His death leaves the field open
for any who may desire to become can
didates at the general election in Aovem-
Der.
Judge Barley has closed the Clerks
office. the death of Mr.. Beach rendering
tbis course necessary from the fact that
Mr.. n. S. Greenaway was Mr.. Beach 8
deputy, and appointed by him, Judge
Barley will not take any action looking
to the appointment of clerk until after
Mr.. Beach's funeral. The term OF the
deceased would not have expired until
February /, 1907, although the election
for the Office will be held next November
Mr.. Beach was at one time member
of the City School Board, and OF the
CITY Council, was n member OF Alex
andrja- Washington Lodge of Masons
and of the NJ. L. Church South.
Kind, courteous and obliging toward all
he met, he had made many acquaintance
Although Mr.. Beach'sintimate friends
were aware of the fact that he was SUI
ferer from serious organic disease, they
we're uuprepared to hear of his death.
which was shock to all from the iacl
that he was on the street as late as D
o'clock Yesterday afternoon.
The deceased never married. He was
president ofthe Bachelors Club OF this
city.
The remains will be taken to Lorton
Valley, Fairfax county, for intermert
on Thursday. The pallbesrers will be
the following, representing the Court
the Masonic fraternity and her III nda
of the deceased. Judge J.. c. Barley
and Messrs. n. S. Greenaway, {, II.
Callahan, T. w. Robinson, d. W,
Aitcheson and Chas. W. Dufey.
The Corporation Court transacted nc
business today on account Of the death
of Mr.. Beach, the clerk, and Judge Bar
ley adjourned the court till after the
funeral.