Alexander D.  and Eliza Rosetta (Beckwith) McAlpine

In 1880 Sanilac County, Michigan, Alexander is 22, with parents Donald 66 and Mary 64.  He's the oldest of six kids.

Indianola, Nebraska, 1894

Death of Mrs. McAlpine-What is home without a mother, was brought home to the McAlpine family with comparative suddenness at Indianola Saturday evening, when Mrs. Catherine McAlpine passed through the Golden Gate, and all who had the honor of acquaintance with the good woman mourned with her children their loss. In life the heart and hand of Mrs. McAlpine was ever ready to lighten the blow of adversity that fell against her neighbors, and their having attention to her in her last sickness and the outpouring to pay the last tribute of respect to all that was mortal of her showed how deep was the affection of all who knew her. The funeral services were held in the Congregational church Sunday and Rev. C.D. Gearhart preached an eloquent sermon and forcefully told the story of a life which had been full of good deeds, left as an example and a valuable legacy for the children who are to join her after awhile. The funeral arrangements were in charge of Mr. Thomas Duncan. A special choir furnished the music and the home and the church were beautifully decorated with flowers and plants. The body was taken to Firth for interment. The deceased had just passed the first third of her fifty-nine year and had only been seriously ill for a few days. Diabetes was the immediate cause of death. Eight children are left without a mother-James of McCook, John of Denver, Eanel D. of Lyons, Colorado, A.D. of Sterling, Colorado, the Misses Tenie and Mary F. Indianola, Mrs. B.S, Marvin of Deadwood, and Mrs. Edgar Champion of Firth. The kindness of friends at Indianola is appreciated by all members of the family. All the children were present at the end. Friday 23 February 1894

Donald D. McAlpine -Sep 23, 1864-Sep 4, 1900 is buried in Firth

He was the Senior Deacon of the Freemason lodge in Indianola, Nebraska,.10-2/

 Bessie (McAlpine) Champion is buried in Firth,  and Bessie McAlpine 1866-1901

1898 McCook "Mr. and Mrs. James McAlpine were down from Denver, Sunday, and while here completed and closed the sale of their dwelling house on Monmouth street" - purchased by conductor J.J.Curran "It will make him a very cosy home."

James 1860-1939 and Flora A. McAlpine 1860-1941 are buried in Denver Fairmount 95934217.

So are John D. 1868-1938 and Evangeline (Morvilius) McAlpine 1881-1946, on the same stone as Jacob 1842-1918 and Margaret Ethel Morvilius 1852-1915.

1893 McCook "Miss Tenie McAlpine was up from Indianola , Wednesday night , to enjoy "Lucky Ranch. " She returned yesterday afternoon on 4. "

1896 Lyons Colorado April 11 - "Harry McAlpine, the 3-year-old boy of Station Agent McAlpine, narrowly escaped death yesterday.  While carpenters were at work on the roof of the house, a heavy bunch of shingles fell to the ground, striking the boy and injuring him painfully about he head and bruising one leg severely"  This is the son of Donald D. and Lillian M. McAlpine, probably a brother of Alexander.

Eliza McAlpine - Oct 28, 1897 - Oct 30, 1897 "Dau of Alexander and Rozetta McAlpine" is buried in Sterling  55450500

In 1898 A.D. McAlpine registered a brand -his address was Sterling.

1898 "Agent McAlpine has his hands full of trouble.  Six members of his family are down with measles and Mac sleeps when he can."

1898 Sterling "Mrs. F.E. Wilkins, formerly Miss Fanny Beckwith, returned to her home near Snyder this morning, after a brief visit with A.D. McAlpine and family.  Mr. Wilkins is foreman of Young Bros. sheep ranch near Snyder."  This is likely Eliza's niece, daughter of Levi.

In 1900 Sterling Alexander D. McAlpine is an agent for the U.P. R.R. Station, born Jan 1859 in Canada, married 14 years to Eliza R. born Aug 1860 in Illinois.  They have Benjamin Aug 1883, Josephine S. Sep 1885, Lillie C., Feb 1888 - these three Nebraska - Thomas J. Apr 1890, Mary S. Aug 1892, Nellie S. Oct 1894, and Frances I. Oct 1894 - these four in Colorado.  Eliza's mother Lucinda Beckwith, 77, is also with them.

1900 "L.H. Beckwith, father-in-law of A.D. McAlpine, is moving to Sterling.  For the present he will occupy the brick first door west of the C.P. Church."  - (L.H. is probably a brother-in-law of A.D. - he's 17 years older than sister Eliza).

1899

Katherine Marvin was born 3 Sep 1891 in Lawrence, South Dakota, to Benjamin Samuel Marvin and Margaret Ann Mcalpine.

Buried in Sterling are:
MARVIN, BENJAMIN S., plot 0093 02 1-140, 1864 03/01/1920
MARVIN, MARGARET M., plot 0093 03 1-140, 1870 12/05/1929
"Word was received from Sterling, Colorado, by friends in Deadwood yesterday that Ben S. Marvin was dying at his home in that city and was not expected to live through the day. He came to the Black Hills with the Burlington railroad company in 1891 and was its first train dispatcher here, his office being a box car sitting on a side track near where the present depot in Deadwood now stands. For many years he was chief dispatcher in this city, and during his stay here and before his promotion in the service of the company, he made a friend of every patron of the road in the Hills and that friendship followed him wherever he was stationed in the company's service. Of late he had been living at Sterling, holding a responsible position with the company he had served so long, and it was there that he suffered a paralytic stroke, shortly after his return to his home from a visit to the Hills last summer, and he has gradually grown worse, never rallying from the....
He was married, and to that marriage came a daughter, Miss Katherine, who was born in Deadwood, to bless it. Many i friends in the Hills hope that he may yet be restored to health and vigor, for he is a man who everyone who ever knew him liked. "

"Information has reached the Black Hills of the death at Sterling, Colo., of Benjamin S. Marvin, who had the distinction of being the first train dispatcher of the Burlington railroad to Deadwood. He commenced his duties when the Burlington completed its line, through the heart of the Black Hills to Deadwood. His first office as dispatcher being in a box car, pending the erection of the railroad's first depot building in Deadwood. Death resulted from a stroke of paralysis."
State Herald, Holyoke, Colorado, June 27, 1890
Married at the residence of the bride's mother at McCook, Nebraska, Tuesday, June 24th. B.S. Marvin, of Holyoke, Colorado, to Miss Maggie McAlpine, of McCook, Rev. Joel Kelsey officiating. We will miss Ben in the bachelor's circle of Holyoke, but we congratulate him on his wise choice in deserting from the ranks of single blessedness. The Herald wishes the newly married couple all the prosperity and happiness that falls to the lot of earth's most favored. They have spent a week at Denver and other cities and after the 27th inst. will be at their home in Holyoke.

State Herald, Holyoke, Colorado, July 4, 1890
B.S. Marvin and Miss Maggie McAlpine were married, last Tuesday evening, at the home of the bride's mother, Rev. J.S. Kinsley officiating. Mr. Marvin formerly lived here in McCook, but now resides at Holyoke, Colorado where he holds the position of dispatcher in the B. & M. office. He is a young man of excellent character and has many friends here. Miss McAlpine is an exceptionally fine young lady and was loved and respected by all who knew her. The young couple start on life's journey with their pathway illuminated by love and good wishes of a host of friends. They departed for Denver the same evening, where they will spend a few days before going to their home at Holyoke. - McCook Gazette.

In 1900 Deadwood, Benjamin Marvin born June 1863 in Michigan, and Margaret Mar 1869 in Canada, have Katherine 8, South, Dakota.


July 1900 "Mr. and Mrs. B. S. Marvin and daughter arrived here last evening from Deadwood, So. Dak., for a brief visit with Mr. Marvin's brother-in-law, A. D. McAlpine, and family.
Mr . Marvin is trainmaster of the great Burlington Route at Deadwood. Several years ago he was with the Burlington at Holyoke. He expressed his pleasure and surprise at the substantial growth of Sterling. He expressed the opinion that our people would be astonished at the efficient train service which will be inaugurated on the new line of the Burlington when completed."

1905 B. S. Marvin, trainmaster at Sterling, Colo., was in Alliance, Nebraska, Friday and Saturday.

In 1910 Benjamin S. and Margaret are in Sterling, where he is a train dispatcher. they have Catherine and five lodgers, including two teachers, a phone company manager, a telegraph operator, and a train dispatcher.

1911 Mrs. B. S. Marvin and daughter were visiting friends in Alliance Sunday. Their home is now in Sterling


July 1912 "Mrs. A. D. McAlpine and daughter, Miss Josie, of Fresno, California, are visiting with Mr. and Mrs. B. S. Marvln."

Kathryn is a librarian in 1930 Sterling, single.

Alexander timber-claimed a quarter in 14, 8N 48W in 1901.

Alexander McAlpine, a railroad station agent and cattleman in Colorado, purchased this home a few months after it was completed. McAlpine later purchased and subdivided the land east of Van Ness Avenue from Belmont Avenue to Divisadero Street.

In 1910 he's a railroad agent in Fresno, California, Thomas a telegraph operator.

Benjamin Alexander McAlpine married Etta Van Pool May 22, 1907 in Idaho County, Idaho. 



August 1908 "Mr. Ben McAlpine departed for California today. With his departure the McAlpines are lost to Sterling. For at least twenty years our town ami county had no better or more prominent citizen than his father, Alexander D. McAlpine. Originally he was B. & M. agent at Fleming. Then he was promoted to Sterling. Then the U. P. lured him by higher wages into its service; then the Union Depot was built and he was placed in charge and several years of the hardest work followed. But as agent, as citizen, as administrator, A. D. McAlpine was first, last and always a man. He was a typical Scotchman, blunt, plain-spoken and fearless, but his friends were practically all who knew him. When he and his family went to California his two sons remained. But the serious illness of his sister called Tom to the new home in the land of flowers and today Ben starts for the same place to make it his future home.
But A. D. McAlpine and family will have a warm place in the hearts of the old settlers as long as they live."

In 1910 they're farming in Fresno County, California, Etta 23, born in Missouri, with Helen L. 1, born in Colorado.

In 1920 Fresno they have only Josephine 34, Mary 27, and Nellie 25.

In 1930 Fresno Alexander and Eliza have only Josephine 44 with them.

Alexander died Dec 9, 1933 in Fresno, and is buried there. 24083864

Eliza born Aug 5, 1860, died Sept 1, 1943 in Fresno, mother Kibler, father Beckwith. 
Find A Grave Memorial# 24083755

Catherine L. McAlpine Hinton is also buried there On August 27, 1913, John Clarence Hinton married Catherine McAlpine, and they have two daughters: Catherine Margaret and Virginia R. .  J.C., born in Missouri, came to Fresno after 19900, farming, afterwards working for the Santa Fe Railroad, then went into plumbing, become manager of the Fresno Plumbing Supply Company.

So is Josephine L. 1885-1967  - 24083494  and Thomas J. 1890-1980  24083997

Marjorie Mable McAlpine Cardell is also buried there - the obituary says "Marjorie, a native of Fresno and graduate of Fresno High School and Fresno State College, passed away on November 23, 2004 at the age of 92. She was the daughter of Alexander McAlpine, a developer instrumental in laying out the streets east of Van Ness between Belmont and Divisadero in 1900."  That FindAGrave obituary must be wrong.  Marjorie in 1930 is the daughter of Thomas and Mable, thus Alexander's granddaughter.

BENJAMIN J. BECKWITH JR.
 
                             son of Benjamin and Sarah/Sally, born 23 May 1818 Knox Co. IN(?), died 21 [2]  May 1891 NE [Sterling CO]. Married 1st 21 Oct 1842 Crawford Co. IL to Lucinda KIBLER, daughter of Martin Luther KIBLER (1791-1875) and Anna Mariah Amelia SHANK (1795-). She was born 25 Apr 1823 Page Co. VA, died 22 Aug 1905 NE or CO.

In 1885 Richardson County, Nebraska, Benj. Beckwith is 57, Lucinda 62.  The next household is Levi H. Beckwith 42 and his daughter Francis, 21.

Lucinda 1823-1905 and Benjamin 1818-1891 are buried in Zion Bethel cemetery, Richardson County 23248808

Eliza Rozetta 'Rose' BECKWITH  born 5 Aug 1860 Newton Jasper Co. IL, died 1

         Sept 1942 Fresno CA. Married 29 July 1882 to Alexander D. McALPINE.

               a. Benjamin Alexander McALPINE  born 17 Aug 1883 Chester, Thayer Co.

                   NE. Married 22 May 1907 Grangeville ID to Etta VanPOOL.

               b. Josephine L. McALPINE  she never married.

               c. Lily Catherine 'Cassie' McALPINE  born 2 Feb 1888 Bostwick NE, died 27

                   Oct 1975 Fresno CA. Married to John Clarence HINTON.

               d. Thomas Jefferson McALPINE  born 6 Apr 1890 Fleming CO, died 28 Nov

                   1972 Fresno CA. Married 13 May 1911 to Mabel Pearl THORNBURGH.

               e. Mary Louella McALPINE  married to Benjamin J. SHEAGREN.

                f. Nellie Louise McALPINE  born 22 Oct 1894 Sterling CA. Married 24 June

                   1926 Fresno CA to Herbert J. BINGHAM.

               g. Frances Isabelle McALPINE  born 28 Oct 1897 Sterling CO, died 23 Aug

                   1908 Fresno CA.

               h. stillborn twin McALPINE  born and died 18 Oct 1897 Sterling CO.

 

Thomas Jefferson McAlpine was, per one tree, born April 6, 1890 at Fleming, Colorado, dying Nov 28, 1972 in Fresno.  He married Mable Pearl Thornburgh May 13, 1911.

The same tree said that Eliza's father was Benjamin Beckwith, Jr. born May 23,1818, dying May 21, 1891 in Sterling, and that Levi Harrison Beckwith born Sep 22, 1843 dying Sep 13, 1927 was Eliza's brother.

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Oliver W. Wilkins married Frances E. Beckwith Aug 1, 1898, recorded in Morgan County.

In 1900 Oliver Wilkins born Jun 1858 in England is in Morgan County, Colorado with Frances E. May 1864 Illinois, and Edna A. March 1899.

Frances E. 1864-1959 75894105 and Oliver W. Wilkins 1858-1912 are buried in Brush Colorado.

Helen Louise McAlpine Carskaddon was born on May 22, 1908 in Sterling, Colorado, and moved a few months later to Fresno, California with her parents, Etta Van Pool and Benjamin McAlpine. She was educated at the College of the Pacific, Fresno State College and the University of Southern California from which she received a Master's degree in zoology (bacteriology) at a time when very few women were receiving graduate degrees in the sciences. She worked for a laboratory in Los Angeles for several years and then returned to Fresno to teach in the Fresno and Tulare County Public Schools before retiring in 1973 to Shell Beach.
Old Fresno by Helen Louise McAlpine Carskaddon
Helen was active in community affairs in Fresno and San Luis Obispo until shortly before her death. She was a member of Phi Mu Sorority, the American Association of University Women, The Monday Club, and the Daughters of the American Revolution. She had been President of the Fresno State Chapter of Phi Mu Sorority, President of The Monday Club, and Regent of the La Cuesta Chapter of the D.A.R.

She will be best remembered by her former students (who include both of her sons) as a "no nonsense" teacher who took a personal interest in the welfare and learning of each of her pupils. Many of Helen 's students were the children of migrant farm workers who were unable to complete the school year because their families followed the harvests from town to town in the San Joaquin Valley . She remarked that she often gave special attention to these pupils because "they needed help more than the others".

After her retirement she was able to indulge her interest in history by reading histories (especially those relating to the American Revolution) and biographies, and by researching the history of several branches of her family.

The Stairs Carskaddon Essay Scholarship grew out of her interest in history and her experience as a teacher. Helen believed that a good solid basic education was essential to improving one's lot in life and becoming a good citizen and that in the 21st Century that meant getting a college degree. She thought that her scholarship might make a difference in the lives of at least a few young people in San Luis Obispo County.