Nathaniel A. Beebe

BEEBE, LADD, DENISON, GOWDY, BOYER, BARNETT, ELLIS, THOMAS, HILBIG

Posted By: Patricia Bollozos (email)
Date: 7/6/2020 at 12:53:08

Nathaniel A. Beebe
Nathaniel A. Beebe is a descendent of John Beebe II born about 1600 in Broughton, Northamptonshire, England and his wife Rebecca Ladd.

The documented records of St. Andrew’s church in Broughton, confirm the Beebe family emigrated to America in 1650. John died at sea on the 'Speedwell', 18 May 1650. Rebecca also died on the voyage. Their surviving children, by 1651 were early settlers of New London, Connecticut.

Nathaniel A. Beebe’s ancestor, Ensign John Beebe III (bap 1628-died 1708) of New London, served with Capt. George Denison (1620-1694) during the King Phillip’s War. Capt. George Denison is an ancestor of William Denison (1804-1885) and Eleanor Jane Gowdy-Denison (1811-1882) of Allamakee County, Iowa.

Nathaniel A. Beebe the son of Hezekiah Beebe (1790-1850) and Sarah Boyer-Beebe (1795-1885) was born 27 April 1817 in New York. He died 16 February 1907 in San Diego, California.

He married Mary A. Barnett (1830-1894) in Grant County, Wisconsin, 29 January 1855.

Nathaniel in 1842, accompanied the American explorer John Charles Fremont, known as the Pathfinder, across the plains on one of his expeditions west. For the governments desire to expand the frontier, Freemont mapped out the eastern half of the Oregon Trail. Freemont was not only an explorer, he was a General in the Army, governor, senator and a nominee for President of the United States. He was also a friend of Nathaniel Beebe.

Nathaniel came to Waterville, Iowa, a small settlement in the early 1850’s with his brothers Jeptha and James. Nathaniel built the Waterville Mill in 1854. Jeptha (1829-1907) purchased the corn mill from Riley Ellis in 1853. He improved the mill and established a saw mill. James (1820-1909) built a large frame hotel. The brothers’ venture in Waterville did not succeed with the failure of the railroad development in the immediate area.

Nathaniel by 1870 was living in Bennington, Black Hawk County, Iowa. He was engaged in farming. His mother Sarah, eighty-five years old, was living with the family. Sarah died in 1885 and is buried at Fairview Cemetery, Black Hawk County, Iowa.

Nathaniel, his wife Mary and their children, Herman and Cora relocated to San Diego, California, by 1888.

Herman (1856-1890) never married. He was employed by the Southern Pacific Railroad, as a switchman. He died after being struck by a train. He is buried with his parents at Mount Hope Cemetery, San Diego, California.

Cora (1865-1940) married twice. Smith Wallace Thomas (1856-1915) and Paul Hilbig (1871-1932). Smith Wallace Thomas was engaged in horse sales in southern California. Paul Hilbig was a carpenter in Los Angles, California. Cora is buried at Inglewood Park Cemetery, Los Angles, California.

References: Colonial Ancestors and Their Descendants; Monograph of the descendants of the family, Beebe; NY Genealogical Society; DAR; Find A Grave; Federal Census; Allamakee County History.