Harrison Beatty Died 20 Years Ago, 1939

 

Harrison Beatty Known As "Father of Village"

Died Twenty Years Ago Today

Published Feb. 23, 1939

Was Responsible for Town Hall, Public Park and Many

Other Improvements: Assumed Many War Duties

We pause this week, in publishing the histories of old Bainbridge [Chenango Co., NY] families to speak about Harrison Beatty, known during the later years of his life as "The Father of the Village."  The Bainbridge Republican under the date of February 27, 1919 wrote a splendid short autobiography of Mr. Beatty, excerpts of which we quote here, as exemplifying the esteem in which he was held:

"This community was stunned on Tuesday when word came that Harrison L. Beatty had died in New York City--Mr. Beatty died Tuesday morning at 10 o'clock in the New York Hospital, from pneumonia which came several days after an operation for appendicitis--his wife who had left for New York that morning, reached the city Tuesday afternoon expecting to find him in a stage of recovery, of which she was assured jsut the day before, but instead she was greated with the appalling reality of a pathetic death.

"Mr. Beatty had long been a prominent citizen of Bainbridge and Chenango County.  He was 49 years of age,--about 35 years ago he came to Bainbridge with his mother and other members of her family to reside with his uncle the late Hon. Joseph Bush, who owned the large and beautiful estate "Harmonie Farms" which Mr. Beatty inherited on his uncle's death twenty years ago. 

"An ancestor of Mr. Beatty's was one of the first to settle in Bainbridge, some 150 years ago--[Elnathan Bush], After his school days Mr. Beatty became cashier of the First National Bank of Bainbridge, and later cashier of the Strong and Strong Bank of Binghamton.  Upon the death of Mr. Bush he took charge of the handsome property which came to him, and he has improved and maintained ever since.

"In the Town he loved so well there are many monuments to his zeal and public spirit.  He was instrumental in Building the Town Hall and Opera House,--he inaugerated the movement for a public park, and a monument bearing his name adorns the center--the town clock which peals forth the hours from the Firemen's building was the result of his activity, and there is not a public improvement in Bainbridge in the last twnety years that does not owe its origin and success to his energy and spirit.  He was deeply interested in everybody and every cause in the community and was constantly alert in furnishing relief, happiness and support,--his passing from the activities of life has caused an irreparable loss.

"Mr. Beatty was devoted to duties which involved the success of the war.  He was secretary of the Chenango County Draft Board--he led in making the Liberty Loan drives, the Red Cross campaigns and all other war charities a success,--he endowed a ward in the Albnay hospital for Chenango County patients.

"In September, 1915 he married Mrs. Clarissa Arnold Stewart of Unadilla, who with two chidlren, Clara and James, survive him--further survivng him are a sister, Mrs. Maurice Gilbert of Jamica, L.I., and a brother William Beatty, of Newark, N.J.