John C. Beydler

John Beydler, a native of Jerico Springs, Missouri, spent 52 years as a reporter and editor at daily newspapers, first at the Joplin (Mo.) Globe, then at the Daily Journal in Kankakee, Ill., then at The Dispatch, later The Dispatch-Argus in Moline, Ill.

Shortly after retirement in 2017, the chance discovery that his disappearing home town had once had a newspaper led in 2021 to "The Mystic City, A History of Jerico Springs, Missouri." Readers positively reviewed it, with one saying, "Jerico Springs is like many American towns that flourished and then began to disappear. But Beydler makes this one special because of his excellent research and clear, concise writing."

Beydler followed up in 2024 with "Picked Clean, Civil War in and around Cedar County. Missouri." In addition to being a micro history of the war years in the county, "Picked Clean" includes a new examination of the Missouri-Kansas border wars and the political storms dividing Missourians.

He lives in Davenport, Ia. In addition to his research and writing, he spends time with his five grandchildren, uses internet sites to play chess with people all over the world and enjoys listening to the many fine musicians to be found around town.