Levi Beecher ^{1 2 3 4 5 6}

   FamilySearch ID: L6PH-4V4.

  Burial Notes:

His tombstone reads: In memory of Levi Beecher, son of John and Susan Beecher, born September 18, 1836, died March 17, 1887, aged 50 years 6 mo less 1 day. During the rebellion he served as a member of Co. D 54 Regt. Pennsylvania Inf. from November 13 1863 to July 15 1865.

  Noted events in his life were:

1. Census in 1840 in Bern Twp., Berks, PA. ⁷ John Bicher is listed in the 1840 census with this household:
Males (born)
Under 5 (1836-1840) = 1 son Levi
20-29 (1811-1820) = 1 father John
Females (born)
Under 5 (1836-1840) = 1 daughter Catherine
20-29 (1811-1820) = 1 wife Susan.

2. Census in 1850 in Bern Twp., Berks, PA. ⁸ The 1850 census recorded the household of Levi Douder, farmer, 19, in which we find the family of John Beecher, farmer, 35; his wife Susannah, 39; Levi, 14; Catherine, 12; Reuben, 10; Rebecca, 9; Cornelius, 7; and Susannah, 2. Everyone was born in Pennsylvania. The mother could not read or write.

The neighbors on the previous census page are two Richenbeush [Richenbauch?] families: Solomon, 40, and Abraham, 45. In Solomon's household is listed a Catherine Beecher, 11. This is likely the daughter of John and Susan Beecher, listed again?.

3. He was confirmed on 7 Apr 1860 in Bern Twp.: Epler's Church, Berks, PA. ⁹

4. Military in Jul 1861 in , , PA: Levi served with the 151st PA infantry during the Civil War. He was a 25 year old tailor at time he enlisted in July 1861 in Reading, PA. He initially served with Company F in the 32nd PA infantry. He reenlisted in November 1863 and served with Company.

5. Census in 1870 in Bern Twp., Berks, PA. ¹⁰ The 1870 census lists John Beacher, 55, laborer, living with wife Susan, 55; Levi, 30; John, 19; and William, 18. Everyone was born in Pennsylvania. John's real estate was valued at $1000 and personal posessions at $200.

6. Census in 1880 in Bern Twp., Berks, PA. ¹¹ John Beecher, laborer, 61, is living with wife Susanna, 66; son Levi, laborer, 44; and son William, laborer, 28. Everyone and their parents were born in Pennsylvania.

7. Obituary: Reading Times: Levi Beecher's Sudden Death. On 18 Mar 1887 in Reading, Berks, PA. ⁵ Levi Beecher's Sudden Death.
An Ex-Soldier Found Dead on the Threshing Floor of His Employer's Barn.

A telephone message was received at the police station about half-past three o'clock yesterday afternoon saying that a man had been found dead in John Herbein's barn at Rickenbach Station. Coroner Denhard was notified, and, accompanied by the Times reporter, went up on the 4:15 train to hold an inquest. Upon arriving there it was learned that the man who had been found about noon on the threshing floor by Frank S. Kaufman, was Levi Beecher, a farm hand who had lived with Mr. Herbein for the past nine or ten years. Kaufman was going into the barn to throw hay from the mow when he discovered the body of Beecher, whose face was of a purple color and showed that his death had undoubtedly been caused by heart disease. The body was still warm and a messenger was hastily dispatched for Dr. E. Brobst, at Leesport. The physician hurriedly responded to the call, but when he reached Herbein's barn the body was entirely cold. The testimony of Mr. Kauman and Wm. Herbein before the Coroner's jury established the belief that Beecher must have been dead about three hours when found, as he was last seen going toward the barn about nine o'clock. John Beecher, father of the deceased, was also sworn and said that his son for years past complained of pain in the region of the heart, but during the past year his complaints were more frequent. Thomas Herbein, who was near by when the body was discovered, was sworn and testified substantially to the facts as here given. The jury renedered a verdict of death from heart disease. The deceased was in the fifty-first year of his age and was one of the most sociable and genial of men. He did four years' service as soldier in the rebellion, being a member of the Third Pennsylvania Reserves. Deceased was born in Spring township, this county, but spent nearly his whole life in the neighborhood where he so suddenly died. He was never married. The remains were taken in charge by Undertake Samuel Spayd, of Leesport, and the funeral will be held on Sunday afternoon at two o'clock, the interment being made at the Epler church.