Beaverton Historical Society
Gladwin County Obituary/Death Notice
 
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.

 
 
Personal Information
Death Date
Burial/Final Location
Service
06/15/1922
Unknown Cemetery
unk
 
Publication Information
Pub. Date
Publication
Pub. Page
06/22/1922
Gladwin County Record, Gladwin, MI
P:1 C:4
 
Transcription Information
Date
Transcribed by
Source Media
January 2005
Tom Ladner
Microfilm
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