John R. Beecher Jr. ^{1 2 3 4 5 6}

   FamilySearch ID: LX3Z-2XW.

  Burial Notes:

Buried in Block 6 #57.

  Noted events in his life were:

1. LifeSketch: John R. Beecher was the son of John Raymond,,. ⁸ Beecher (1898-1964) and Edith M. Rice (1901-1997) who did not marry. Edith appears in the 1920 census as Edith Rice living with her parents and their infant grandson, John R. Beecher. In 1921 John's mother married Joseph W. Calaman (1901-1975) indicating on her application she was not previously married. In the 1930 census John R. is living in his step-father's home as John R. Calaman, age 12, not Beecher. In Nov 1937 John was tragically killed in an auto accident, just 4 months after his marriage to Anna Mary Landis, who is identified on his PA death certificate. That document lists his mother as Edith Calaman and father "unknown."

2. Occupation: lip setter at Bedord Shoe Co. On 31 Oct 1918 in Carlisle, Cumberland, PA. ⁶

3. Census in 1920 in , Cumberland, PA. ³ The 1920 census recorded George W. Rice, 50; his wife Mary M., 48; and their daughters: Edith M., 19; Effie S., 16; Nora S., 16; and a son Davidson C. Rice, 13. Also in the home is grandson John R. Beecher, 1 year 11 months old in January, 1920, the son of Edith M. Rice who did not marry his father; she married Joseph Calaman in 1921. John Beecher's death certificate identifies his mother as Edith Calaman, but his father was listed "unknown."

4. Listed as John R. Calaman (step-father's surname) census in 1930 in West Pennsboro Twp., Cumberland, PA. ⁹ The 1930 census recorded Joseph W. Calaman, farmer, 28, living with wife Edith M., 29/ John R. [listed as a Calaman but actually born of father Beecher], 12; Bettie B., 6; and Edward S., 1. Everyone and their parents were born in Pennsylvania. Next door is Joseph's parents, James E. Calaman, 53, and Mary A., 60.

5. Residence: on 16 Jun 1937 in Plainfield, Cumberland, PA. ¹⁰

6. Cause of Death: auto accident, two cars collided on Old York Rd. On 31 Oct 1937, causing John to die from shock, fractures of the skull., 31 Oct 1937, Carlisle, Cumberland, PA. ⁶

7. Newspaper: Gazette and Daily: Second Auto Victim Dies, 3 Nov 1937, York, York, PA. ¹¹ Ralph Williams, 23, of York Springs, died in the Carlisle hospital this morning at 9:05 o'clock, the second victim of an automobile accident that occurred about 6 o'clock Sunday evening, a mile from the Mt. Hollv-Carlisle highway on the Old York road. He suffered fractures of the left leg, a fractured skull, broken nose and severe lacerations. John R. Beecher, 19, Carlisle R. 5, died Monday afternoon in the hospital, from concussion of the brain and internal injuries. Williams, riding alone, was headed west enroute to Shippensburg. He had planned to meet a friend in Shippensburg and spend the evening at a roller skating rink at Mt. Holly Springs. Harrv A. Warner, driver of the other car in which Beecher was riding, was headed east. He said he noticed a car approaching from the opposite direction and that as it drew near an automobile attempted to pass it. Warner said he braked and swerved to the right but his car and that of Williams collided head on, demolishing both machines. Williams was a graduate of the York Springs High school. He had been working on his father's farm. His death recalled the tragedy that befell the Williams family in January, 1928, when Mrs. A. Williams and three of her children, Wesley, Ethel and Almeta, were burned to death in a fire that destroyed their home. In addition to his father, Ralph Williams is survived by a sister, Mrs. Earl Naugle, York Springs. Mrs. Naugle and her husband moved last week to the Williams home from Fairfield.

8. Grace United Methodist Church's record book lists his burial on 4 Nov 1937 in Newville Cemetery. On 4 Nov 1937 in Carlisle, Cumberland, PA. ⁷

9. Newspaper: Gettysburg Times, page 1: article about accidental death of John R. Beecher, 30 Dec 1937, Gettysburg, Adams, PA. ⁵ Cumberland Coroner Sets Williams Inquest Date

At 2 o'clock on next Wednesday afternoon an inquest-will be held at the Ewing funeral parlors, Carlisle, to hear details of the head-on crash last October 31, which claimed two lives. In this crash, which took place along the old York road, about three miles west of the Mt. Holly pike, Ralph Williams, 23, of York Springs was fatally injured. The other victim was John R. Beecher, 19. of Carlisle R. 5. Beecher died the day alter the crash while Williams died two days after the collision. Williams was the lone occupant of the one machine while Beecher was riding with Harry A. Warner, 29, of Carlisle R. 4. Warner was also seriously injured in the collision, and the inquest was delayed until he recovered sufficiently to testify. E. A. Haegele, Cumberland county coroner, will conduct the inquest.

John married Anna Mary Landis on 16 Jun 1937 in Carlisle: Grace United Methodist Church, Cumberland, PA.¹ (Anna Mary Landis was born in , , PA.)