[ Return to Index ] [ Read Prev Msg ] [ Read Next Msg ]

William Henry H. Beaman

BEAMAN, SNYDER, DOWNER, BROOKS, WATSON

Posted By: Tammy (email)
Date: 11/9/2011 at 19:07:07

WILLIAM HENRY H. BEAMAN, who engages to some extent in real-estate dealing, but who is practically living a retired life in Beaman, Grundy County, has the honor of being a native of Illinois, his birth having occurred in Stephenson County, May 13, 1843. His parents were Solon S. and Mary (Snyder) Beaman. The father was born in Kingsville, Ohio, December 15, 1822, and the mother was born in Jefferson County, N. Y., March 7, 1823. The maternal great-grandfather, Christopher Snyder, was born and reared in Holland, and soon after his marriage emigrated with his wife to New York, where they spent the remainder of their lives. The parents of Mrs. Beaman, James and Clarissa (Downer) Snyder, were both natives of Herkimer County, N. Y., and in 1835 emigrated to Indiana, coming thence to Illinois the following year. They settled in Ogle County, and afterward removed to Stephenson County, where the mother died at the age of eighty-four. The father's death occurred at the advanced age of ninety-eight years. He served as a soldier in the War of 1812. In their family were fourteen children, twelve of whom grew to mature years, while three sons and three daughters are yet living.

Solon S. Beaman was reared upon a farm, and with his mother came to Illinois about 1835, locating near Oregon. He afterward removed to Stephenson County, where he married Miss Snyder; they began their domestic life upon a farm, and there made their home until 1860, when he and his son William H. made a trip to Denver City by wagon, and in the month of September removed to Iowa, locating on land which he had purchased in the year 1856, when he and his family had visited the Hawkeye State. Mr. Beaman continued to make his home in Iowa until his death, which occurred July 6, 1886. He was one of the first settlers of the locality, and was a prominent citizen. In politics, he was a Republican. In the Beaman family were only two children, our subject and his brother Horace, who is now living retired in the village which bears the family name. A record of his life appears elsewhere in this work.

Mr. Beaman of this sketch spent the days of his boyhood and youth in the usual manner of farmer lads, and the district schools afforded him his educational privileges. He remained at home until his marriage, which was celebrated February 22, 1864, when Miss Ellen S. Brooks became his wife. The lady was born in De Witt County, Ill., December 10, 1844, and is a daughter of Harrison and Dulcena Ann (Watson) Brooks, the former a native of Vermont, and the latter of Kentucky. Her father's business was milling. Mr. and Mrs. Beaman had but one child, Cora Adell, who was born November 27, 1865. She died December 9, 1881, and her loss was deeply mourned, not only by her own family, but by many friends.

Mr. Beaman was given a farm by his father on his marriage, and locating thereon, he devoted his time and attention untiringly to its cultivation and further improvement. He was an enterprising and practical agriculturist, and as the result of his well directed efforts, he won a high degree of success in his undertakings. In 1875, he platted the town of Beaman, in which he now makes his home, and with the growth and upbuilding of the place he has been prominently connected, aiding materially in its advancement and progress. He now engages to some extent in real-estate dealing.

Since casting his first Presidential vote, Mr. Beaman has been a stalwart supporter of the Republican party and a warm advocate of its principles. For eighteen years he has filled the office of Justice of the Peace, and his long continued service is a testimontial of his fidelity to duty and the confidence reposed in him by his fellow-townsmen. Socially, he is a member of Olivette Lodge No. 436, A. F. & A. M.

Source:
Portrait and Biographical Record
of Jasper, Marshall and Grundy Counties, Iowa
1894


 

Grundy Biographies maintained by Tammy D. Mount.
WebBBS 4.33 Genealogy Modification Package by WebJourneymen

[ Return to Index ] [ Read Prev Msg ] [ Read Next Msg ]