GEORGE H. BEEBE ANSWERS SUMMONS
PRESIDENT OF FISHER GOVERNOR COMPANY DIES
SUDDENLY SUNDAY AFTERNOON
HAD BEEN ILL SEVEN WEEKS; END FORESEEN
Was Sufferer From Cancer of Stomach, and Hemorrhage Caused End to Come Unexpectedly – Was Well Known Resident of City, Where He Had Lived Since 1875.
After having suffered seven weeks from cancer of the stomach, which involved the liver and intestines, George H. Beebe, president of the Fisher Governor Company, died suddenly Sunday afternoon at his home, 214 North Second street.
Altho the end due to the cancerous trouble was expected, the suddenness of Mr. Beebe’s death proved a shock to his family and friends. The end, which came at ? o’clock, was due to a hemorrhage of the stomach, and until fifteen minutes before his death the patient was conscious.
Mr. Beebe had been to Rochester a few weeks ago for examination and treatment, and to confirm a local diagnosis of his ailment. Altho he was not informed personally the result of the Rochester diagnosis, Mrs. Beebe was told that her husband might live a month, or two months, but that there was no hope of an ultimate recovery, nor was there any help from surgery.
George Henry Beebe was a native of Clinton county, having been born at DeWitt, Oct. 29, 1853, a son of Henry and Adeline M. Curtis Beebe. The family remained in Clinton county until 1867, and then went to Cedar Rapids, where the son George attended high school. At the age of 21 Mr. Beebe went on the road for a machinery concern, and in 1875 came to this city, where he started a machine shop in a little building where the postoffice now stands.
Starts to Make Governors.
In 1884 Mr. Beebe formed a co-partnership with the late William Fisher, under the name of Fisher & Beebe, and the firm began manufacturing in a small way the Fisher steam pump governor. The business began to grow from the start, and four years later the Fisher Governor Company was organized by Fisher & Beebe and the late A.E. Harris. On Dec. 28, 1890, the business was incorporated and in 1896 the late George R. Estabrook bought out the Harris interest. Mr. Beebe has been president of the company since the death of Mr. Fisher on Nov. 29, 1906.
Had Many Lodge Affiliations.
In addition to his many friends among his business associates Mr. Beebe had made a large circle of friends and acquaintances thru his lodge and fraternal society affiliations. He was a member of Marshall lodge, A.F. and A.M.; Signet chapter, R.A.M.; St. Aldemar commandery, Knights Templar; the Za-Ga-Zig Shrine temple, the Modern Woodmen, Royal Highlanders, and Red Men. Mr. Beebe had been a state officer of the Iowa branch of the National Association of Stationary Engineers, and at the time of his death was president of the local organization of the state branch.
Widow and Children Survive.
Mr. Beebe had been twice married, and is survived by his second wife and five children by his first marriage.
The first Mrs. Beebe was Lucretia Reed prior to her marriage in this city on Nov. 17, 1875. She died here Aug. 10, 1896. Mr. Beebe’s second marriage was with Mrs. Harriet R. Eldridge, of this city, on Jan. 14, 1898. The surviving children are Mrs. T.T. White and Mrs. Guy Perrin, of Kansas City; John Beebe, of Crystal, Minn.; and Roy and Robert Beebe, of Seattle. Two brothers also survive, in the persons of Edwin J. Beebe, of this city, and Fred Beebe, of Seattle.
Funeral services will be held from the residence at 3:30 Wednesday afternoon, in charge of Rev. R.F. Hurlburt, pastor of the Methodist church, of which Mr. Beebe was a member. Mr. Hurlburt will be assisted by Rev. C.H. Morris, pastor of Central Church of Christ. Interment will be in Riverside. There will be a Masonic escort to the cemetery and burial will be with Masonic honors.
---Times-Republican, Marshalltown, November 8, 1915 – p.9