Laura Beswick McKaig collection

Laura Beswick McKaig was born Laura Beswick on July 18, 1852, in Crawfordsville, Indiana. Born to parents George Mason and Hester Anne Beswick, she is best known for being one of the first four women students at DePauw University.

Beswick’s father was a reverend of the Methodist Episcopal Church and served in appointed positions of the Church in Greencastle where he died in 1852. Her mother was also a long-standing member of the church, and she passed away at age eighty-seven in 1904.

In 1867, Laura Beswick matriculated with the first co-educational class at what was then known as Asbury College. Even though women had been admitted for general education, during Beswick’s time at the college, there was ongoing debate (especially among male students) about whether women should be able to attend classes alongside men. Despite these obstacles, Beswick, alongside the other three women in the class of 1871, organized the first sorority on campus, Phi Beta Phi. Beswick served as a charter member of Pi Phi during her time on campus.

Just twelve hours after her graduation from Asbury, she married Rev. Robert N. McKaig (class of 1870). This would come to be known as the first campus wedding, and was officiated by another DePauw graduate, Rev. Hillary A. Gobin.

Laura Beswick McKaig was widowed when her husband passed away in 1925. During their marriage, the two served in churches across multiple states. She died of complications from pneumonia in Sioux City, Iowa, on April 20, 1935.

Sources:

“George Mason Beswick,” Find a Grave, accessed November 27, 2024, memorial page for George Mason Beswick.

“Hester Anne Clark Beswick,” Find a Grave, accessed November 27, 2024, memorial Page for Hester Anne Clark Beswick.

“Laura Beswick McKaig,” Find a Grave, accessed November 27, 2024, memorial page for Laura Beswick McKaig.

“The Asbury Years,” DePauw University, a Pictorial History, accessed November 27, 2024.

“The New Year,” The Asbury Review, October 2nd, 1867, DePauw University Publications.

This biographical note was created by Kenlie Thomas and Jay’la Teasley as part of the HIST278: Women's History from 1890-Present course during the fall 2024 semester. It was revised by Professor Sarah Rowley and the Coordinator of Archives and Special Collections Bethany Fiechter.