WILLIAM MARTIN BEAL resides on section 9, Island Grove Township, where he has a choice little farm that is substantially improved and well cultivated. He is a native of Illinois and was born July 17, 1859, near Alexander in Morgan County. His parents, William and Christina Beal, are both natives of Germany and are residents of Morgan County. They came to this country in 1835 and were among the early settlers of the county where they now make their home. Since coming to this county our subject has acquired a neat little farm of forty-nine acres, which he is constantly improving. He began life by working by the month for wages, and was thus engaged some years. He wisely saved his earnings and finally became more independent by engaging in farming for himself on rented land in this town. He kept constantly employed in cultivating his land and met with such good success that he was finally enabled to buy his present farm, which is located about two miles east of Berlin, on which he has quite a fine orchard, and is also engaged in raising grain, hogs, etc. He is hard working and ambitious and bids fair to become a large landowner and one of the wealthy men of the place.

Our subject's home is a neat and attractive little house, and is presided over by his good and capable wife to whom he was married in New Berlin Township, February 21, 1878. Mrs. Beal was formerly Nannie Prehn and is the daughter of Fred and Mary Prehn, who were born in Germany. They have one little girl Phebe C. Both she and her husband are members of the Lutheran Church and are consistent Christians as is shown in their everyday life. They are greatly esteemed by all around them and are considered to be two of the most desirable members of the community where they have made their home.