He was born around 1810. The 1880 census for La Grange, Harrison County, Iowa states that he was a farmer and living with his wife, Alma, son Addison, and C. M. and Frank P. Beebe (ages 11 and 1), probably his grandchildren. The census states that his parents were both born in Connecticut.
Omaha Daily Bee, September 21, 1897, Page 3:
Council Bluffs - A telegram was received yesterday from Port Dickerson, N. Y., announcing the death of James L. Beebe. The body will be brought here for interment. Mr. Beebe was 88 years old. He was the father of H. C. Beebe of this city.
---------------------------------
Obituary for his wife:
The Daily Nonpareil, Council Bluffs, Iowa, February 7, 1885:
DIED--In Beebeetown, February 2, Mrs. Alma B. Beebee, wife of James L. Beebee, Esq., aged 75 years, 4 months and 7 days.
Mrs. Beebee was born in Ocondago County, New York, and was united in marriage to James L. Beebee, January 12, 1831, where they resided until 1858, when they removed to Cayua, NY, and resided there until 1871, when they moved to Harrison County, Iowa, and settled on the open prairie in La Grange Township, two miles south of Harris Grove. The prairie at the time of their settlement was entirely unimproved. Their five stalwart sons opened farms around them, and for some years the settlement has been known as Beebeetown.
A post office of that name has been located there for some years, and now the splendid farms, with fine buildings and lovely groves of trees, present as handsome an agricultural district as can be seen anywhere in western Iowa. Here were the last years of Mrs. Beebee's life spent, surrounded by her enterprising sons, who by industry have made these bare prairies blossom like the rose. Her and her husband and their two sons, Ransom and Fred, with their families became members of the Harris Grove Farmers' Club, some years ago, and faithful members they all were.
It was the pleasure and good fortune of the writer to become acquainted with this excellent woman through this medium. And when the 12th of January 1881 came around, which ushered in their golden wedding day, the Harris Grove Farmer's Club were invited to meet at the house of James L. Beebee, and devote the time to the celebration of that eventful day. Those who participated in that celebration will remember it well. The members of the club will sadly miss the pleasant face and cheery words of Mother Beebee in its monthly gatherings. And the church and neighborhood where she so fully met the requirements of a good Christian life, will find it hard to fill her place.
Seven children survive their mother: Henry C. Beebee and Reuben T. Beebee reside in this city; Ransom W, Addison G, Edwin H. and Frederick F. in Beebeetown, Iowa and Mrs. Alma C. (Sidney) Mosher of Popular Ridge, Cayuga County, NY.
----------------------------
HISTORY OF HARRISON COUNTY, IOWA, 1891 - BIOGRAPHIES
Page 434:
RANSOM W. BEEBEE
Ransom W. BEEBEE, ex-liveryman at Missouri Valley, has been a resident of Harrison County for twenty years. In 1871 he located in La Grange Township, where he engaged at farming, purchasing land in sections 24 and 26, of that township. He followed farm-life until 1888, and then entered the livery business at Missouri Valley. To inform the reader more concerning his personal and domestic relations, it may be said that he was born in Madison County, N. Y., April 28, 1835. He is a son of James L. and Alma C. (WILLIAMS) BEEBEE. The BEEBEE family was originally from Wales, but have been in New York State for many generations. The Williams family were from England. The father was a contractor, and helped construct the Erie Canal, and also assisted in enlarging the same. He was also extensively engaged in farming. The mother died in 1885, in La Grange Township, this county, and was buried at Council Bluffs. Our subject was the fourth child of a family of nine sons and two daughters. Of this number five and one daughter is living. H. C. BEEBEE lives in Council Bluffs. Three live in La Grange Township; a sister, Mrs. Carrie MOSHER, lives in Cayuga County, N. Y. The father came to Harrison County in 1871, and carried on farming in La Grange Township until the spring of 1891, and then returned to the Empire State, where he now resides. He is now eighty-two years of age, though quite active for one so old. He was again married in 1890, to Mary WARHOUSE.
Our subject's great-grandfathers were both in the Revolutionary War, and were men of much distinction in their day and generation.
Our subject was married in September, 1866, at Buffalo, N. Y., to Catherine MYERS, who was a native of Erie County, N. Y., and born in Fairview Township. Her parents were farmers, and are both deceased. June 9, 1887, the Angel of Death visited the home of our subject in La Grange Township and claimed his wife while yet in the prime of her young womanhood. She was buried in the Logan Cemetery. She was an exemplary Christian lady, a member of the Presbyterian Church, and beloved by all who knew her.
Mr. BEEBEE married for his second wife Annie O'CONNOR, in March, 1888. This lady is a native of Iowa, the daughter of Thomas and Marie O'CONNOR, farmers living in La Grange Township. By this union two children were born�Alma; born August 27, 1889, and Annie, born November, 1890.
Politically, Mr. BEEBEE had always been a Republican. He has served La Grange Township in various official capacities, having been member of the School Board there for fourteen years. He belongs to the Masonic fraternity, and is a member of Geneva Lodge, No. 421, at Geneva, N. Y. In a general way, it may be said that our subject obtained his education in the common schools of New York, and came to Harrison County May 12, 1871, and in the same day of the year, in 1887, he passed over the road to bury his wife. He was an American Express messenger for fifteen years, ten years of which he ran between Cleveland and Buffalo. He relates how that, in one trip in 1864, he had charge of ten tons of specie.
Page 813:
FREDERICK F. BEEBEE
Frederick F. BEEBEE, proprietor of the "Bonnie View Stock Farm" and one of the representative farmers of LaGrange Township, living on section 35, came to Harrison County in March, 1871, and settled on section 26, with his father, James L. BEEBEE, who at that time had two hundred and forty acres of land, that he entered in 1856, but did not come to the county until 1871. His son R. T. BEEBEE, that came in 1869, improved eighty acres of this land, and in 1871, the father came with his family, two sons and their families, all settling on the same neighborhood. The father kept buying more land, until he had three hundred and twenty acres, besides giving his three sons eighty acres apiece. This settlement was known as the "Beebee Settlement," and in 1880, a post-office was established at that point, and called Beebeetown.
The first post-office was in the house where our subject now lives, he being the first Postmaster. His wife was the prime mover in getting the mail route established. In 1881, a general store was started by A. D. FITCH, on land donated by Mr. BEEBEE. When Mr. FITCH went into the store, our subject resigned the post-office in his favor. Mr. FITCH conducted the store here about six months, when James HANER built a store, and our subject bought Mr. FITCH out and turned the store building into a dwelling, and now (1891) rents the same. HANER operated the store a short time and then sold out to FAMERRITT, who ran to the fall of 1888, and then sold to J. P. YARRINGTON.
Our subject's father built a blacksmith shop in 1881, and rented it to a man named Charles E. WILKINS, who after two years was succeeded by Mr. WHIPPLE, and he by J. B. VANCLEAVE. James KELLER, SHOWALTER & FINFROCK, and Peter CROMER were later blacksmith's.
Mr. BEEBEE was born in Onondaga County, NY, July 1, 1850, and in 1856 accompanied his parents to Cayuga County, where he remained until 1871, and then came to this county remaining with his parents until 1874, when he went back to New York, and Aptil 7, of that year, was united in marriage to Miss Lois HUDSON. After their marriage they came to Iowa, and lived with our subject's father until 1876, when he bought forty acres of land where they now live. They are the parents of six children: baby boy, died in infancy; Frederick H., Arthur H., Edith C., Leslie J., and Jennie E.
Lois (HUDSON) BEEBEE is a native of Cayuga County, NY, born March 19, 1852. She reamined in the Empire State until the date of her marriage.
James L. BEEBEE, father of our subject, was born in the town of Pompey, Onondagua County, N.Y., December 24, 1809, and remained there until 1856, when he moved to Cayuga County. While in Onondagua County, he was engaged as a railroad contractor, but while living in Cayuga County, he was engaged in agricultural pursuits. After coming to Iowa, he made several trips back to the old Empire State, and during the past spring (1891) he went back to York State, near Binghampton, to make his home. He was married on Onondagua County, January 12, 1831, to Miss Alma C. WILLIAMS, by whom eleven children were born, our subject being the youngest.
The mother was Alma C. (WILLIAMS) BEEBEE, and she was born in Onondagua County, September 24, 1807. She died in Harrison County, Iowa, January 31, 1885. They were members of the Methodist Episcopal church.
Omaha Daily Bee, September 21, 1897, Page 3:
Council Bluffs - A telegram was received yesterday from Port Dickerson, N. Y., announcing the death of James L. Beebe. The body will be brought here for interment. Mr. Beebe was 88 years old. He was the father of H. C. Beebe of this city.
---------------------------------
Obituary for his wife:
The Daily Nonpareil, Council Bluffs, Iowa, February 7, 1885:
DIED--In Beebeetown, February 2, Mrs. Alma B. Beebee, wife of James L. Beebee, Esq., aged 75 years, 4 months and 7 days.
Mrs. Beebee was born in Ocondago County, New York, and was united in marriage to James L. Beebee, January 12, 1831, where they resided until 1858, when they removed to Cayua, NY, and resided there until 1871, when they moved to Harrison County, Iowa, and settled on the open prairie in La Grange Township, two miles south of Harris Grove. The prairie at the time of their settlement was entirely unimproved. Their five stalwart sons opened farms around them, and for some years the settlement has been known as Beebeetown.
A post office of that name has been located there for some years, and now the splendid farms, with fine buildings and lovely groves of trees, present as handsome an agricultural district as can be seen anywhere in western Iowa. Here were the last years of Mrs. Beebee's life spent, surrounded by her enterprising sons, who by industry have made these bare prairies blossom like the rose. Her and her husband and their two sons, Ransom and Fred, with their families became members of the Harris Grove Farmers' Club, some years ago, and faithful members they all were.
It was the pleasure and good fortune of the writer to become acquainted with this excellent woman through this medium. And when the 12th of January 1881 came around, which ushered in their golden wedding day, the Harris Grove Farmer's Club were invited to meet at the house of James L. Beebee, and devote the time to the celebration of that eventful day. Those who participated in that celebration will remember it well. The members of the club will sadly miss the pleasant face and cheery words of Mother Beebee in its monthly gatherings. And the church and neighborhood where she so fully met the requirements of a good Christian life, will find it hard to fill her place.
Seven children survive their mother: Henry C. Beebee and Reuben T. Beebee reside in this city; Ransom W, Addison G, Edwin H. and Frederick F. in Beebeetown, Iowa and Mrs. Alma C. (Sidney) Mosher of Popular Ridge, Cayuga County, NY.
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HISTORY OF HARRISON COUNTY, IOWA, 1891 - BIOGRAPHIES
Page 434:
RANSOM W. BEEBEE
Ransom W. BEEBEE, ex-liveryman at Missouri Valley, has been a resident of Harrison County for twenty years. In 1871 he located in La Grange Township, where he engaged at farming, purchasing land in sections 24 and 26, of that township. He followed farm-life until 1888, and then entered the livery business at Missouri Valley. To inform the reader more concerning his personal and domestic relations, it may be said that he was born in Madison County, N. Y., April 28, 1835. He is a son of James L. and Alma C. (WILLIAMS) BEEBEE. The BEEBEE family was originally from Wales, but have been in New York State for many generations. The Williams family were from England. The father was a contractor, and helped construct the Erie Canal, and also assisted in enlarging the same. He was also extensively engaged in farming. The mother died in 1885, in La Grange Township, this county, and was buried at Council Bluffs. Our subject was the fourth child of a family of nine sons and two daughters. Of this number five and one daughter is living. H. C. BEEBEE lives in Council Bluffs. Three live in La Grange Township; a sister, Mrs. Carrie MOSHER, lives in Cayuga County, N. Y. The father came to Harrison County in 1871, and carried on farming in La Grange Township until the spring of 1891, and then returned to the Empire State, where he now resides. He is now eighty-two years of age, though quite active for one so old. He was again married in 1890, to Mary WARHOUSE.
Our subject's great-grandfathers were both in the Revolutionary War, and were men of much distinction in their day and generation.
Our subject was married in September, 1866, at Buffalo, N. Y., to Catherine MYERS, who was a native of Erie County, N. Y., and born in Fairview Township. Her parents were farmers, and are both deceased. June 9, 1887, the Angel of Death visited the home of our subject in La Grange Township and claimed his wife while yet in the prime of her young womanhood. She was buried in the Logan Cemetery. She was an exemplary Christian lady, a member of the Presbyterian Church, and beloved by all who knew her.
Mr. BEEBEE married for his second wife Annie O'CONNOR, in March, 1888. This lady is a native of Iowa, the daughter of Thomas and Marie O'CONNOR, farmers living in La Grange Township. By this union two children were born�Alma; born August 27, 1889, and Annie, born November, 1890.
Politically, Mr. BEEBEE had always been a Republican. He has served La Grange Township in various official capacities, having been member of the School Board there for fourteen years. He belongs to the Masonic fraternity, and is a member of Geneva Lodge, No. 421, at Geneva, N. Y. In a general way, it may be said that our subject obtained his education in the common schools of New York, and came to Harrison County May 12, 1871, and in the same day of the year, in 1887, he passed over the road to bury his wife. He was an American Express messenger for fifteen years, ten years of which he ran between Cleveland and Buffalo. He relates how that, in one trip in 1864, he had charge of ten tons of specie.
Page 813:
FREDERICK F. BEEBEE
Frederick F. BEEBEE, proprietor of the "Bonnie View Stock Farm" and one of the representative farmers of LaGrange Township, living on section 35, came to Harrison County in March, 1871, and settled on section 26, with his father, James L. BEEBEE, who at that time had two hundred and forty acres of land, that he entered in 1856, but did not come to the county until 1871. His son R. T. BEEBEE, that came in 1869, improved eighty acres of this land, and in 1871, the father came with his family, two sons and their families, all settling on the same neighborhood. The father kept buying more land, until he had three hundred and twenty acres, besides giving his three sons eighty acres apiece. This settlement was known as the "Beebee Settlement," and in 1880, a post-office was established at that point, and called Beebeetown.
The first post-office was in the house where our subject now lives, he being the first Postmaster. His wife was the prime mover in getting the mail route established. In 1881, a general store was started by A. D. FITCH, on land donated by Mr. BEEBEE. When Mr. FITCH went into the store, our subject resigned the post-office in his favor. Mr. FITCH conducted the store here about six months, when James HANER built a store, and our subject bought Mr. FITCH out and turned the store building into a dwelling, and now (1891) rents the same. HANER operated the store a short time and then sold out to FAMERRITT, who ran to the fall of 1888, and then sold to J. P. YARRINGTON.
Our subject's father built a blacksmith shop in 1881, and rented it to a man named Charles E. WILKINS, who after two years was succeeded by Mr. WHIPPLE, and he by J. B. VANCLEAVE. James KELLER, SHOWALTER & FINFROCK, and Peter CROMER were later blacksmith's.
Mr. BEEBEE was born in Onondaga County, NY, July 1, 1850, and in 1856 accompanied his parents to Cayuga County, where he remained until 1871, and then came to this county remaining with his parents until 1874, when he went back to New York, and Aptil 7, of that year, was united in marriage to Miss Lois HUDSON. After their marriage they came to Iowa, and lived with our subject's father until 1876, when he bought forty acres of land where they now live. They are the parents of six children: baby boy, died in infancy; Frederick H., Arthur H., Edith C., Leslie J., and Jennie E.
Lois (HUDSON) BEEBEE is a native of Cayuga County, NY, born March 19, 1852. She reamined in the Empire State until the date of her marriage.
James L. BEEBEE, father of our subject, was born in the town of Pompey, Onondagua County, N.Y., December 24, 1809, and remained there until 1856, when he moved to Cayuga County. While in Onondagua County, he was engaged as a railroad contractor, but while living in Cayuga County, he was engaged in agricultural pursuits. After coming to Iowa, he made several trips back to the old Empire State, and during the past spring (1891) he went back to York State, near Binghampton, to make his home. He was married on Onondagua County, January 12, 1831, to Miss Alma C. WILLIAMS, by whom eleven children were born, our subject being the youngest.
The mother was Alma C. (WILLIAMS) BEEBEE, and she was born in Onondagua County, September 24, 1807. She died in Harrison County, Iowa, January 31, 1885. They were members of the Methodist Episcopal church.
He was born around 1810. The 1880 census for La Grange, Harrison County, Iowa states that he was a farmer and living with his wife, Alma, son Addison, and C. M. and Frank P. Beebe (ages 11 and 1), probably his grandchildren. The census states that his parents were both born in Connecticut.
Omaha Daily Bee, September 21, 1897, Page 3:
Council Bluffs - A telegram was received yesterday from Port Dickerson, N. Y., announcing the death of James L. Beebe. The body will be brought here for interment. Mr. Beebe was 88 years old. He was the father of H. C. Beebe of this city.
---------------------------------
Obituary for his wife:
The Daily Nonpareil, Council Bluffs, Iowa, February 7, 1885:
DIED--In Beebeetown, February 2, Mrs. Alma B. Beebee, wife of James L. Beebee, Esq., aged 75 years, 4 months and 7 days.
Mrs. Beebee was born in Ocondago County, New York, and was united in marriage to James L. Beebee, January 12, 1831, where they resided until 1858, when they removed to Cayua, NY, and resided there until 1871, when they moved to Harrison County, Iowa, and settled on the open prairie in La Grange Township, two miles south of Harris Grove. The prairie at the time of their settlement was entirely unimproved. Their five stalwart sons opened farms around them, and for some years the settlement has been known as Beebeetown.
A post office of that name has been located there for some years, and now the splendid farms, with fine buildings and lovely groves of trees, present as handsome an agricultural district as can be seen anywhere in western Iowa. Here were the last years of Mrs. Beebee's life spent, surrounded by her enterprising sons, who by industry have made these bare prairies blossom like the rose. Her and her husband and their two sons, Ransom and Fred, with their families became members of the Harris Grove Farmers' Club, some years ago, and faithful members they all were.
It was the pleasure and good fortune of the writer to become acquainted with this excellent woman through this medium. And when the 12th of January 1881 came around, which ushered in their golden wedding day, the Harris Grove Farmer's Club were invited to meet at the house of James L. Beebee, and devote the time to the celebration of that eventful day. Those who participated in that celebration will remember it well. The members of the club will sadly miss the pleasant face and cheery words of Mother Beebee in its monthly gatherings. And the church and neighborhood where she so fully met the requirements of a good Christian life, will find it hard to fill her place.
Seven children survive their mother: Henry C. Beebee and Reuben T. Beebee reside in this city; Ransom W, Addison G, Edwin H. and Frederick F. in Beebeetown, Iowa and Mrs. Alma C. (Sidney) Mosher of Popular Ridge, Cayuga County, NY.
----------------------------
HISTORY OF HARRISON COUNTY, IOWA, 1891 - BIOGRAPHIES
Page 434:
RANSOM W. BEEBEE
Ransom W. BEEBEE, ex-liveryman at Missouri Valley, has been a resident of Harrison County for twenty years. In 1871 he located in La Grange Township, where he engaged at farming, purchasing land in sections 24 and 26, of that township. He followed farm-life until 1888, and then entered the livery business at Missouri Valley. To inform the reader more concerning his personal and domestic relations, it may be said that he was born in Madison County, N. Y., April 28, 1835. He is a son of James L. and Alma C. (WILLIAMS) BEEBEE. The BEEBEE family was originally from Wales, but have been in New York State for many generations. The Williams family were from England. The father was a contractor, and helped construct the Erie Canal, and also assisted in enlarging the same. He was also extensively engaged in farming. The mother died in 1885, in La Grange Township, this county, and was buried at Council Bluffs. Our subject was the fourth child of a family of nine sons and two daughters. Of this number five and one daughter is living. H. C. BEEBEE lives in Council Bluffs. Three live in La Grange Township; a sister, Mrs. Carrie MOSHER, lives in Cayuga County, N. Y. The father came to Harrison County in 1871, and carried on farming in La Grange Township until the spring of 1891, and then returned to the Empire State, where he now resides. He is now eighty-two years of age, though quite active for one so old. He was again married in 1890, to Mary WARHOUSE.
Our subject's great-grandfathers were both in the Revolutionary War, and were men of much distinction in their day and generation.
Our subject was married in September, 1866, at Buffalo, N. Y., to Catherine MYERS, who was a native of Erie County, N. Y., and born in Fairview Township. Her parents were farmers, and are both deceased. June 9, 1887, the Angel of Death visited the home of our subject in La Grange Township and claimed his wife while yet in the prime of her young womanhood. She was buried in the Logan Cemetery. She was an exemplary Christian lady, a member of the Presbyterian Church, and beloved by all who knew her.
Mr. BEEBEE married for his second wife Annie O'CONNOR, in March, 1888. This lady is a native of Iowa, the daughter of Thomas and Marie O'CONNOR, farmers living in La Grange Township. By this union two children were born�Alma; born August 27, 1889, and Annie, born November, 1890.
Politically, Mr. BEEBEE had always been a Republican. He has served La Grange Township in various official capacities, having been member of the School Board there for fourteen years. He belongs to the Masonic fraternity, and is a member of Geneva Lodge, No. 421, at Geneva, N. Y. In a general way, it may be said that our subject obtained his education in the common schools of New York, and came to Harrison County May 12, 1871, and in the same day of the year, in 1887, he passed over the road to bury his wife. He was an American Express messenger for fifteen years, ten years of which he ran between Cleveland and Buffalo. He relates how that, in one trip in 1864, he had charge of ten tons of specie.
Page 813:
FREDERICK F. BEEBEE
Frederick F. BEEBEE, proprietor of the "Bonnie View Stock Farm" and one of the representative farmers of LaGrange Township, living on section 35, came to Harrison County in March, 1871, and settled on section 26, with his father, James L. BEEBEE, who at that time had two hundred and forty acres of land, that he entered in 1856, but did not come to the county until 1871. His son R. T. BEEBEE, that came in 1869, improved eighty acres of this land, and in 1871, the father came with his family, two sons and their families, all settling on the same neighborhood. The father kept buying more land, until he had three hundred and twenty acres, besides giving his three sons eighty acres apiece. This settlement was known as the "Beebee Settlement," and in 1880, a post-office was established at that point, and called Beebeetown.
The first post-office was in the house where our subject now lives, he being the first Postmaster. His wife was the prime mover in getting the mail route established. In 1881, a general store was started by A. D. FITCH, on land donated by Mr. BEEBEE. When Mr. FITCH went into the store, our subject resigned the post-office in his favor. Mr. FITCH conducted the store here about six months, when James HANER built a store, and our subject bought Mr. FITCH out and turned the store building into a dwelling, and now (1891) rents the same. HANER operated the store a short time and then sold out to FAMERRITT, who ran to the fall of 1888, and then sold to J. P. YARRINGTON.
Our subject's father built a blacksmith shop in 1881, and rented it to a man named Charles E. WILKINS, who after two years was succeeded by Mr. WHIPPLE, and he by J. B. VANCLEAVE. James KELLER, SHOWALTER & FINFROCK, and Peter CROMER were later blacksmith's.
Mr. BEEBEE was born in Onondaga County, NY, July 1, 1850, and in 1856 accompanied his parents to Cayuga County, where he remained until 1871, and then came to this county remaining with his parents until 1874, when he went back to New York, and Aptil 7, of that year, was united in marriage to Miss Lois HUDSON. After their marriage they came to Iowa, and lived with our subject's father until 1876, when he bought forty acres of land where they now live. They are the parents of six children: baby boy, died in infancy; Frederick H., Arthur H., Edith C., Leslie J., and Jennie E.
Lois (HUDSON) BEEBEE is a native of Cayuga County, NY, born March 19, 1852. She reamined in the Empire State until the date of her marriage.
James L. BEEBEE, father of our subject, was born in the town of Pompey, Onondagua County, N.Y., December 24, 1809, and remained there until 1856, when he moved to Cayuga County. While in Onondagua County, he was engaged as a railroad contractor, but while living in Cayuga County, he was engaged in agricultural pursuits. After coming to Iowa, he made several trips back to the old Empire State, and during the past spring (1891) he went back to York State, near Binghampton, to make his home. He was married on Onondagua County, January 12, 1831, to Miss Alma C. WILLIAMS, by whom eleven children were born, our subject being the youngest.
The mother was Alma C. (WILLIAMS) BEEBEE, and she was born in Onondagua County, September 24, 1807. She died in Harrison County, Iowa, January 31, 1885. They were members of the Methodist Episcopal church.
Omaha Daily Bee, September 21, 1897, Page 3:
Council Bluffs - A telegram was received yesterday from Port Dickerson, N. Y., announcing the death of James L. Beebe. The body will be brought here for interment. Mr. Beebe was 88 years old. He was the father of H. C. Beebe of this city.
---------------------------------
Obituary for his wife:
The Daily Nonpareil, Council Bluffs, Iowa, February 7, 1885:
DIED--In Beebeetown, February 2, Mrs. Alma B. Beebee, wife of James L. Beebee, Esq., aged 75 years, 4 months and 7 days.
Mrs. Beebee was born in Ocondago County, New York, and was united in marriage to James L. Beebee, January 12, 1831, where they resided until 1858, when they removed to Cayua, NY, and resided there until 1871, when they moved to Harrison County, Iowa, and settled on the open prairie in La Grange Township, two miles south of Harris Grove. The prairie at the time of their settlement was entirely unimproved. Their five stalwart sons opened farms around them, and for some years the settlement has been known as Beebeetown.
A post office of that name has been located there for some years, and now the splendid farms, with fine buildings and lovely groves of trees, present as handsome an agricultural district as can be seen anywhere in western Iowa. Here were the last years of Mrs. Beebee's life spent, surrounded by her enterprising sons, who by industry have made these bare prairies blossom like the rose. Her and her husband and their two sons, Ransom and Fred, with their families became members of the Harris Grove Farmers' Club, some years ago, and faithful members they all were.
It was the pleasure and good fortune of the writer to become acquainted with this excellent woman through this medium. And when the 12th of January 1881 came around, which ushered in their golden wedding day, the Harris Grove Farmer's Club were invited to meet at the house of James L. Beebee, and devote the time to the celebration of that eventful day. Those who participated in that celebration will remember it well. The members of the club will sadly miss the pleasant face and cheery words of Mother Beebee in its monthly gatherings. And the church and neighborhood where she so fully met the requirements of a good Christian life, will find it hard to fill her place.
Seven children survive their mother: Henry C. Beebee and Reuben T. Beebee reside in this city; Ransom W, Addison G, Edwin H. and Frederick F. in Beebeetown, Iowa and Mrs. Alma C. (Sidney) Mosher of Popular Ridge, Cayuga County, NY.
----------------------------
HISTORY OF HARRISON COUNTY, IOWA, 1891 - BIOGRAPHIES
Page 434:
RANSOM W. BEEBEE
Ransom W. BEEBEE, ex-liveryman at Missouri Valley, has been a resident of Harrison County for twenty years. In 1871 he located in La Grange Township, where he engaged at farming, purchasing land in sections 24 and 26, of that township. He followed farm-life until 1888, and then entered the livery business at Missouri Valley. To inform the reader more concerning his personal and domestic relations, it may be said that he was born in Madison County, N. Y., April 28, 1835. He is a son of James L. and Alma C. (WILLIAMS) BEEBEE. The BEEBEE family was originally from Wales, but have been in New York State for many generations. The Williams family were from England. The father was a contractor, and helped construct the Erie Canal, and also assisted in enlarging the same. He was also extensively engaged in farming. The mother died in 1885, in La Grange Township, this county, and was buried at Council Bluffs. Our subject was the fourth child of a family of nine sons and two daughters. Of this number five and one daughter is living. H. C. BEEBEE lives in Council Bluffs. Three live in La Grange Township; a sister, Mrs. Carrie MOSHER, lives in Cayuga County, N. Y. The father came to Harrison County in 1871, and carried on farming in La Grange Township until the spring of 1891, and then returned to the Empire State, where he now resides. He is now eighty-two years of age, though quite active for one so old. He was again married in 1890, to Mary WARHOUSE.
Our subject's great-grandfathers were both in the Revolutionary War, and were men of much distinction in their day and generation.
Our subject was married in September, 1866, at Buffalo, N. Y., to Catherine MYERS, who was a native of Erie County, N. Y., and born in Fairview Township. Her parents were farmers, and are both deceased. June 9, 1887, the Angel of Death visited the home of our subject in La Grange Township and claimed his wife while yet in the prime of her young womanhood. She was buried in the Logan Cemetery. She was an exemplary Christian lady, a member of the Presbyterian Church, and beloved by all who knew her.
Mr. BEEBEE married for his second wife Annie O'CONNOR, in March, 1888. This lady is a native of Iowa, the daughter of Thomas and Marie O'CONNOR, farmers living in La Grange Township. By this union two children were born�Alma; born August 27, 1889, and Annie, born November, 1890.
Politically, Mr. BEEBEE had always been a Republican. He has served La Grange Township in various official capacities, having been member of the School Board there for fourteen years. He belongs to the Masonic fraternity, and is a member of Geneva Lodge, No. 421, at Geneva, N. Y. In a general way, it may be said that our subject obtained his education in the common schools of New York, and came to Harrison County May 12, 1871, and in the same day of the year, in 1887, he passed over the road to bury his wife. He was an American Express messenger for fifteen years, ten years of which he ran between Cleveland and Buffalo. He relates how that, in one trip in 1864, he had charge of ten tons of specie.
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FREDERICK F. BEEBEE
Frederick F. BEEBEE, proprietor of the "Bonnie View Stock Farm" and one of the representative farmers of LaGrange Township, living on section 35, came to Harrison County in March, 1871, and settled on section 26, with his father, James L. BEEBEE, who at that time had two hundred and forty acres of land, that he entered in 1856, but did not come to the county until 1871. His son R. T. BEEBEE, that came in 1869, improved eighty acres of this land, and in 1871, the father came with his family, two sons and their families, all settling on the same neighborhood. The father kept buying more land, until he had three hundred and twenty acres, besides giving his three sons eighty acres apiece. This settlement was known as the "Beebee Settlement," and in 1880, a post-office was established at that point, and called Beebeetown.
The first post-office was in the house where our subject now lives, he being the first Postmaster. His wife was the prime mover in getting the mail route established. In 1881, a general store was started by A. D. FITCH, on land donated by Mr. BEEBEE. When Mr. FITCH went into the store, our subject resigned the post-office in his favor. Mr. FITCH conducted the store here about six months, when James HANER built a store, and our subject bought Mr. FITCH out and turned the store building into a dwelling, and now (1891) rents the same. HANER operated the store a short time and then sold out to FAMERRITT, who ran to the fall of 1888, and then sold to J. P. YARRINGTON.
Our subject's father built a blacksmith shop in 1881, and rented it to a man named Charles E. WILKINS, who after two years was succeeded by Mr. WHIPPLE, and he by J. B. VANCLEAVE. James KELLER, SHOWALTER & FINFROCK, and Peter CROMER were later blacksmith's.
Mr. BEEBEE was born in Onondaga County, NY, July 1, 1850, and in 1856 accompanied his parents to Cayuga County, where he remained until 1871, and then came to this county remaining with his parents until 1874, when he went back to New York, and Aptil 7, of that year, was united in marriage to Miss Lois HUDSON. After their marriage they came to Iowa, and lived with our subject's father until 1876, when he bought forty acres of land where they now live. They are the parents of six children: baby boy, died in infancy; Frederick H., Arthur H., Edith C., Leslie J., and Jennie E.
Lois (HUDSON) BEEBEE is a native of Cayuga County, NY, born March 19, 1852. She reamined in the Empire State until the date of her marriage.
James L. BEEBEE, father of our subject, was born in the town of Pompey, Onondagua County, N.Y., December 24, 1809, and remained there until 1856, when he moved to Cayuga County. While in Onondagua County, he was engaged as a railroad contractor, but while living in Cayuga County, he was engaged in agricultural pursuits. After coming to Iowa, he made several trips back to the old Empire State, and during the past spring (1891) he went back to York State, near Binghampton, to make his home. He was married on Onondagua County, January 12, 1831, to Miss Alma C. WILLIAMS, by whom eleven children were born, our subject being the youngest.
The mother was Alma C. (WILLIAMS) BEEBEE, and she was born in Onondagua County, September 24, 1807. She died in Harrison County, Iowa, January 31, 1885. They were members of the Methodist Episcopal church.
Family Members
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