Birth: Aug. 28, 1854, Monmouth IL.
Death: May 20, 1934, Taylor County IA.
Luella Estella (Cowan) Beach was Effie’s mother Emma Eugenia (Cowan) Rhining’s older sister, by two years. They were two of 13 children. I named one of my daughters after her (middle name is Luella) because when I read her obituary I thought she sounded like such a lovely person. I am so happy to have found a photo of her (un-cropped version here)!
Luella’s obituary text reads:
“Luella E. Cowan was born in Monmouth, Illinois, August 28, 1854. She was the daughter of William and Nancy Parrish Cowan. She was one of a family of thirteen, all who have preceded her except two sisters. She spent her early life m Monmouth, where she graduated from the Monmouth high school and also attended Monmouth college. At the age of sixteen she became an active member of the Baptist church.
November 10, 1874 she was united in marriage to George S. Beach, who survives her and to this union were born eight children: George H. Beach of Sharpsburg, Iowa, Mrs. Nellie L. Hetz of Lenox, Mrs. Edna M. Lovell of San Bernardino Calif. Mrs. Effie J. Jacoby of Lee Summit, Missouri, Luella E. Cottrell of Lenox, Iowa, Clifford S Beach of Sharpsburg, Iowa, Alice E Beach, who died at the age of six years, and a baby boy who died at the age of two months. The two sons and four daughters were at her bedside at the time of her death.
Those surviving are her husband, six children thirty-one grandchildren five great-grandchildren and two sister, Mrs. Effie Hedges and Miss Jessie Cowan o f Kansas City, who mourn her loss.
Had she been spared until November, Mr. and Mrs. Beach would have celebrated their 60th wedding anniversary.
Mrs. Beach was a charter member of the O.E.S. in which she was an interested and active worker. She was also a member of the Harmony Reading Circle, and the Past Worthy Matrons Club.
She was a kind and loving wife and mother. Her sweet and gentle disposition, made her loved by all who knew her, always ready with a word of encouragement and kindness.
Mrs. Beach has been spoken of as a gentle woman of rare charm and dignity, whose influence for good on all she came in contact with was incalculable. She was kindly in thought with charity toward all and malice toward none seeming to exemplify the teaching of Paul.
Those attending the funeral from a distance were Mr. and Mrs. I. D. Lovell, San Bernardino, Calif.; Mrs. Lee Jacoby and daughter. Maxine of Lee’s Summit, Mo., Mr. and Mrs. Effie J. Hedges, Kansas City, Mo.; Mr. and Mrs. E. Haldeene Beach and son of Omaha; Miss Mildred Beach of St. Joseph, Mo. Mrs. Olive Harding, Mr. Chas. Harding, Sr., and Mr. Chas Harding, Jr., Mrs. Mary Harding all of Des Moines; Mr and Mrs. Everett E. Cowan of Kansas City; Mr. and Mrs. H. H. Roe of Creston. The O. E. S. assembled in a body, also the H. R. circle and proceeded to the last resting place where the O.E. S rendered a very impressive and beautiful ceremony. Six of the grandsons acted as pall bearers, Herbert Beach, Walter Beach, Norman Hetz, Dale Beach, Donald Beach and Haldeen Beach.
Funeral services were held Tuesday p. m., May 22 at the M. E. church in charge of the pastor, Rev. F. L. Shepherd. A quartet composed of Mrs. J. H. Barber, Mrs. Win. Madden, Mr. Earl Beadle and Mr. Marvin Fleming furnished the music. Interment at Lenox cemetery. Lenox Time Table, Lenox, Iowa Thursday May 24, 1934“
