Beckley Cemetery

In 1833 Joseph W. Stewart, a native of New York, settled in the Oak Openings area of western Calhoun County. Recognizing a need for a cemetery in the neighborhood he set aside a portion of his land for this purpose, offering the plots without charge. When a new law in 1859 required each township to make provisions for burials, Stewart turned his property over to Battle Creek Township. In later years this area became known as Beckley Corners after Ira Beckley, another early settler.