Beaverton Historical Society Gladwin County Obituary/Death Notice
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Seth N. Beden
At Ripe Age Dies At His Home In Midland, After an Eventful Career.
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Recent Resident Of Gladwin
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Served In Civil War
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Devoted Christan And Profound Scholar.
Seth N. Beden, who recently moved from Gladwin, died at his home in Midland, Thursday morning,
June 15, of crysipelas and bladder trouble in his 86th year. Mr. Beden had been a resident of Gladwin
12 years previous to taking his abode in Midland. He was a remarkable man for a man of his age. Up to
the time of his last illness he retained his acute mental faculties, and his memory displayed a mind
stored with useful knowledge, always at his command. During his residence in Gladwin he made many
friends who regret to learn of his death.
Seth N. Beden was born Jan. 25, 1825, in Rose Valley, Wayne county, N. Y., and removed with his
parents to Hadley, Lapeer county, Mich., in 1836. These were pioneer days for Michigan. At first the
family slept under the trees with a ring of log fires all around them for defense against the wolves,
which howled around them all night. He remained at home until 21 years of age, then went away from home
and worked for his board while attending district school, and then studied in the Fenton schools until
able to teach. He taught six terms very successfully and then entered the State Normal College at
Ypsilanti when it was first opened. Lack of funds obliged him to drop out for a while, and he became
principal of the Howell schools. When having returned to the Normal College, in order to make up for
lost time and graduate with his class, he was allowed to take about double work throughtout the last
year, on condition that his standing in any subject should not fall below 100; b ut he succeeded in
maintaining this grade in each branch; and so graduated with his class in June.
After graduating Mr. Beden taught until the outbreak of the Civil War, when he enlisted in 1862 in
Company K. Fourth Mich. cavalry, and was in every engagement where it took part, and it is the record
of this regiment that it was in four more engagements than any other Michigan command, being under fire
more than 80 times. During all this time Mr. Beden was never excused from duty for a single day, and for
the last six months was on Gen. Wilson's staff as topographical engineer.
He was present and assisted in the final capture of Jeff Davis, Thus. these four years of active service
for his country well complete the military history of a family noted for its service to state in war of
1812, and the grandfather, William Beden, was an officer in both the Revolutionary war, serving seven
years, eight months and eleven days, and also in the later war of 1812. Well may the Stars and Stripes pay
tribute to this patriotic family.
After the war Mr. Beden made his home at Clio, Mich., until removing to Gladwin about 12 years ago, and
thence to Midland in April of this year. In 1865 he was married to Miss Emma A. Stearns of Clio; and to
them was born one son, William S. who died in his fourth year. Mr. Beden was a man of devoted Christian
character. He retained his membership in the Congregational church but always worked with the M. E. church
in Gladwin, and even to the age of 85 very successfully taught a large Bible class. Deeply versed in the
Scriptures and in the great doctrines of the church, his lectures were always strong, virile presentations
of the truth. His last days were days of marked cheerfulness, happiness, great faith and peace.
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Personal Information
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Death Date
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Burial/Final Location
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Service
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06/15/1922
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Unknown Cemetery
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unk
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Publication Information
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Pub. Date
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Publication
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Pub. Page
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06/22/1922
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Gladwin County Record, Gladwin, MI
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P:1 C:4
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Transcription Information
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Date
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Transcribed by
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Source Media
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January 2005
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Tom Ladner
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Microfilm
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