Sedgwick County KSGenWeb

Portrait And Biographical Album of Sedgwick County, Kan.

Chapman Brothers 1888

Pages 192 - 194

 WILLIAM BETHEL, a retired farmer in comfortable circumstances, took up his residence in the city of Wichita in 1884, and is pleasantly located at the corner of Harry and Fifth avenue.  A gentleman of integrity and sterling worth, he has pursued the even tenor of his way as an honest man and a good citizen, and commands the respect of all who know him.

      Nelson County, Va., was the early tramping ground of our subject, and where his birth took place Sept. 12, 1822.  His parents, Nelson and Betsy (Perkins) Bethel, were also natives of the Old Dominion, where the mother passed away when our subject was but a lad.  The father was subsequently married again, and removed from his native State to Fairfield County, Ohio, where he spent the remainder of his days engaged in farming pursuits.  His death took place there some years ago.

      Young Bethel became familiar with farm pursuits during his boyhood and youth, and continued with his father until reaching manhood.  The latter left a good property at his death.  William, when twenty-five years of age, was married, June 15, 1847, to Miss Rebecca McCue, who was also a native of Virginia and born in Albamarle County, Jan. 21, 1830.  Mrs. Bethel, a maiden of seventeen at the time of her marriage, was the daughter of William B. and Frances (Winesbargar) McCue, the father of Scotch-Irish, and the mother of German  ancestry.  Their eight children, all of whom are living, were named   respectively: Charles F., William C., James S., John W., Moses M., Mary F., Henry D. and Rebecca.  Mr. McCue commenced farming in his native State, which occupation he later pursued in West Virginia until resting from his earthly labors.  He died in West Virginia at the advanced age of eighty-five years.  For over forty years he was an Elder in the Presbyterian Church.  In his younger  years he was a bugler in the Light Horse Cavalry, of Virginia, in which capacity he served many years.  The mother, who possessed many excellent traits of character, was greatly beloved by her family and friends, and passed away at her home in West Virginia on the 4th of November, 1878.

      To Mr. and Mrs. Bethel there were born eight children, of whom only four are living. They were named respectively: Joseph T., William H., Mary F., Amanda D., James A., Elliott E., Susan E. and Margaret A.  All of their children are married, and our subject and his wife are happy in the reflection that they have six grandchildren.  Mr. Bethel during the late Rebellion served with the 100-days men in the 160th Ohio Infantry.  After returning home he was in very poor health for two years.  The experience of that time only served to confirm his Republican tendencies, and he has since as before been a stanch supporter of this party.  He and his estimable wife are members in good standing of the Methodist Episcopal Church.

      Joseph T. Bethel, the eldest son of our subject, was married to Miss Lucy M. Evans on the 2d of July, 1871.  This lady, a native of Franklin County, Ohio, was born Sept. 8, 1849, and is the daughter of Samuel and Sophia (Wright) Evans, natives respectively of Pennsylvania and Maryland.  The father, a farmer by occupation, and a prominent member of the Methodist Episcopal Church for a period of forty years, departed this life at his home in Franklin County, Ohio, in 1864.  The mother, equally a devoted Christian with her husband, was born in 1812, and passed away on the 21st of August, 1876, having survived her husband twelve years.  She also had identified herself with the Methodist Church early in life, her membership extending over a period of fifty years.  She left eight children, namely: Amanda, Cynthia A., William K., Rowland W., Cyrena, Alvin B., Lucy M. and Samuel.  Mr. and Mrs. Joseph T. Bethel are the parents of one child, Jessie N., who was born Oct. 11, 1873.  Joseph T., a capable business man like his father, is a dealer in real estate in the city of Wichita.

      Miss Susie E. Bethel, the daughter of our subject, became the wife of Charles E. Thacker on the 3d of February, 1887.  Mr. Thacker was born in Madison, Ind., Feb. 28, 1861, and is the son of John W. and Louisa J. (Scott) Thacker, who were natives respectively of Illinois and Kentucky.  The father is a carpenter by trade; both parents are living and residents of Madison, Ind.  Their family consisted of eight children, namely: Charles E., George, John H.; Harry and Annie E., both deceased; Richard H., Robert H. and Bessie, living with their parents.  Charles E., the son-in-law of Mr. Bethel, is also a carpenter by trade, which he learned when quite young.  He came to Wichita in 1886, and is a gentleman of enterprise and energy, having already accumulated considerable real estate.  He is a Republican, politically, and with his wife, a member of the  Methodist Episcopal Church.  Their only child, Walter A., was born Nov. 6, 1887.

      Miss Mary F. Bethel was married, in September, 1880, to Mr. LaFayette Hersey, a well-to-do farmer of Delaware County, Ohio.  They have one child, Walter R., born Oct. 11, 1886. They also are members of the Methodist Church.

      William H. Bethel married Miss Ella Fleming, of Canal Winchester, Ohio.  He is a painter by trade, and a resident of Wichita.  They have had four children, three now living, namely: Mary A., Otmer J. and Charles G.  Minnie died when eleven months old.

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