W. H. Beeler

BEELER, WILLIAM HASKELL (1838 ~ 1928). Confederate veteran William Haskell Beeler was born in Tennessee in 1838. His parents names are unknown, however his father was born in Kentucky and his mother was born in North Carolina. At the age of 24, on March 3, 1862, Beeler enlisted in the 19th Arkansas Infantry at Sevier County, Arkansas.

Beeler served under Colonel Charles L. Dawson and Captain Herndon in Company K. In March 1862, Co. K joined with the 20th; reported to General Ben McCulloch's division at Stickler's Station in Arkansas. Their orders were to protect supply and rail lines. After fighting the battle of Pea Ridge, the company moved to the Arkansas border of the Indian Territory until August. Afterwards, the division was reorganized and moved to Arkansas Post. The 19th division was captured on January 11, 1863, at Arkansas Post by Union forces under the command of Generals John McClernand and W.T. Sherman.

Beeler was sent to Camp Douglas, Illinois, on February 8, 1863. He was transferred to City Point, Virginia, on April 10, 1863. In Williamsburg, Virginia he was hospitalized from April 28th to June 4, 1863in an Episcopal Church Hospital. Once he rejoined his regiment, the company moved toward Chickamauga. During the battle of Chickamauga, Beeler lost sight in his left eye. Reports are unknown whether Beeler continued to fight with the 19th which eventually surrendered at Bentonville.

Following the war, Beeler married Nancy (maiden name unknown) in White County, Arkansas, on August 25, 1867. Later they moved to Athens, Texas, and lived there until 1880. The 1880 Wolf Creek, Pike County, Arkansas, census shows them as residents. In 1885, the couple moved to Smith County, Texas, where they lived until 1925. On June 19, 1925 Beeler moved into the Confederate Men's Home. Before moving into the Home, he listed his occupation as a farmer. On December 10, 1925, his wife joined him at the Home. On December 8, 1926, Beeler passed away and was buried at the Texas State Cemetery. The only contact names listed for his family were his wife and a niece named Laura Nams Nance living in Mexia, Texas.

Information taken from Widow's Application for a Pension # 42593, Confederate Pension Application # 07662, Confederate Muster Roll, Confederate Home Rosters, and 1880 Census records.