Civil War Union Army Soldier. Quartermaster Sergeant, 17th Pennsylvania Cavalry. Edwin A. Bean (father) was born February 6, 1831, in Norriton township. In 1818, at the age of seventeen years, he entered the Clayton flour, grist and saw mill, on the township line between Lower Providence and Norriton, as an apprentice, and at the end of two years, left the establishment capable of doing full duty as a finished journeyman. In 1850 Mr. Bean came to Norristown and entered the employ of Bean & Morgan, in their sawmill and lumber yard, being engaged there one year, and then entering the planing mill of Bolton & Christman, where he remained until August 1, 1862. He then enrolled himself in the Company of Captain David B. Hartranft, Seventeenth Regiment, Pennsylvania Cavalry. On September 19, 1862, he was mustered into the United States service for three years, at Harrisburg. On November 1, 1862, Mr. Bean was made quartermaster's sergeant of the regiment and served in this capacity until May 1, 1864, when he was promoted to be quartermaster of the regiment, with the rank of first lieutenant, serving as such until the end of the war. He was mustered out of service on June 16, 1865, at Cloud's Mills, Virginia. From the day of his enlistment until the expiration of his term of service at the close of the war, Quartermaster Bean was with his regiment in all its battles, raids and skirmishes, among them being the following: Chancellorsville, Beverly Ford, Aldis, Upperville, Goose Creek, Gettysburg, Williamsport, Funktown, Beaver Creek, Boonsboro, Falling Waters, Brandy Station, Racoon Ford, Barnett's Ford, Martin's Ford, Stevensburg, Brandy Station (second), Rappahannock Station, Oak Hill, Thoroughfare Gap, Liberty, Bealton Station, Rickeysville, Mine Run, Barnett's Ford, Kilpatrick's Raid to Richmond, Todd's Tavern, Yellow Tavern, Meadow Bridge, Hanovertown, Hawes' Shop, Old Church, Cold Harbor, Trevillian Station, White House, Jones' Bridge, Darbytown, White Post, Cedarville, Berryville, Kearnsville, Leetown, Smithfield, Winchester, Luray, Tom's Brook, Cedar Creek, Gordonsville, Sheridan's raid to the James river canal and White House, Dinwiddie Courthouse, Five Forks, Scott's Crossroads, Drummond's Mills, Saylor's Creek, Appomattox Station and Appomattox Courthouse. The war ended, Mr. Bean returned home, and accepted a position in a planing mill in Philadelphia, owned by Rimby & Maderia, and also in the new mill built by the firm after being burned out. He became superintendent, having the planing and flooring work under his charge. About 1878 a new company was formed on the ruins of Rimby & Maderia, of which Mr. Bean became a member. After a short career, misfortune overtook the combination and the mill was sold to Mahlon Fulton, Mr. Bean remaining as manager until Mr. Fulton's death, when the son of Mr. Fulton assumed the management and with him Mr. Bean continued until the year ago, since which time he has lived retired in Norristown. On January 27, 1856, Edwin A. Bean married Elizabeth, daughter of Simon and Magdalena (Gotwals) Hood. They have but one child, Wilmer M. Edwin A. Bean is a member of Norris Lodge, No. 430, I. O. O. F.; also a member of the Masonic Fraternity; formerly of Hiram Lodge, No. 21, of Virginia, now of Charity Lodge, No. 190, of Norristown, also a life member of H. R. A. Chapter, No. 190, also of Norristown, Pennsylvania.