Beam, Walter H.

BEAM

Posted By: Karon Velau (email)
Date: 6/17/2021 at 21:42:56

Source: History of Warren County, Iowa, by Gerard Schultz and Don L. Berry, The Record and Tribune Co., Indianola, Iowa, 1953, p.284

WALTER H. BEAM
Walter H. Beam, son of Orlando J. and Emma Adelaide (Lofftus) Beam, was born in Greenbush Township, Warren County, Illinois, Saturday, Sept. 4, 1875. He graduated from high school in Abingdon in 1892. He studied one year in Hedding college, Abingdon, and one year in the Illinois State Normal University at Normal.
He came to Jefferson Township, Warren County, Iowa, in March, 1896, and stayed one year. That year he sold corn for 10 cents, oats for 7 cents, hogs for $3.10, chickens for 4 cents, and went back to Illinois for two years, and then returned to Iowa to stay. Mr. Beam worked a few years as a printer in Illinois, and taught school in Illinois and Iowa several terms. He taught one winter at Social Plains, south of Indianola, for $35 a month, with 51 pupils. He was a member of Warren County board of education 27 years. He farmed until elected county auditor in 1908; reelected in 1910. He was chosen to a clerical position in the state senate in 1913 and served in various positions in every session but two until and including 1945; assistant secretary five sessions and secretary seven sessions. Mr. Beam was employed by the codeeditor on six issues of the Iowa Code, beginning in 1924. He served two years as auditor in the income tax division of the state tax commission, and since the spring of 1945, auditor of printing in the office of the state comptroller.
Dec. 28, 1910, Mr. Beam married Miss Katie Ruth Darling of Bedford, Iowa, a former Simpson student, then teaching primary grades at North English. Her parents were Charles H. and Catherine A. (Murphy) Darling. She was born in Taylor County and graduated from the Bedford High School. In December, 1913, they moved from Indianola to the new town of Martensdale, which has been their home since, except four years in Des Moines, 1923 to 1927.
In May, 1913, Mr. Beam started the movement which led to the founding of the town of Martensdale. Associated with him in the venture (in the order of entry) were L. E. Hiatt and Wm. Buxton Jr. of Indianola, and John F. Martens, who lived near the townsite and from whom part of the land was purchased.
Mr. and Mrs. Beam are the parents of four sons: Charles Louis, born Aug. 31, 1914; George J., Jan. 8, 1916; Burl Byron, Sept. 4, 1920; Max Willis, May 28, 1925. During World War II Max was an ensign in the navy; Burl was a pilot, first lieutenant, in the air force; George was a technical sergeant in the army medical corps; Charles was in government work in Washington and Chicago.
There are five grandchildren: Nancy Elaine, Kenton James and Meredith Charles (Charles); Patrice Kay (George); Pamela Carroll (Max); Burl is not married. Politically Mr. Beam has always been identified with the Republican party, and has been a delegate to county and state conventions many times. An only sister, Miss Grace E. Beam, lives in Indianola. She taught many years in the rural schools, and 25 years in Simpson college.