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Kinyon Digital Library

History of Adair
County, Iowa, 1915.

Biographical.  Volume 2.

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William E. Beaman.

William E. Beaman, who follows farming on section 25, Harrison township, has been a resident of Adair county for more than a half century and as one of its pioneer settlers has witnessed its steady growth and substantial improvement, sharing in the forward movement since reaching an age of accountability.  He was born in Indiana on the 13th of August, 1859, and is a son of Samuel and Emily (Key) Beaman, both of whom were natives of Indiana, where they were reared and married.  In 1861 they brought their family to Iowa, settling in Adair county, Mr. Beaman purchasing two hundred and thirty-five acres in Harrison county (Note: reads county in original, but think it should read township -- LCK).  Part of the original homestead is now in the possession of his son William E.  The parents continued to reside upon their farm until called to their final rest, the father dying in 1872, while the mother passed away in Missouri Valley, Iowa, in 1896, while visiting a daughter there.  They were people of the highest respectability and enjoyed the warm regard of those with whom they were brought in contact.

William E. Beaman was reared on the old homestead farm where he now lives and his education was acquired in the district school nearby, his time being divided between the duties of the schoolroom, the pleasures of the playground and the work of the fields.  In 1882 he was united in marriage to Miss Sarah E. Nelson, a daughter of William Nelson, who came to this county from Mercer county, Illinois, and settled in Lincoln township in January, 1876.  He was a native of Ohio and he passed away at the home of Mr. and Mrs. Beaman in 1908, having for twenty years survived his wife, who died in 1888.

After his marriage Mr. Beaman rented the old homestead farm and continued its cultivation for three years.  He then removed to a farm in Lincoln township, which he rented for eight years, after which he carried on general agricultural pursuits in Madison county for a year.  In 1895 he purchased his present home place on one hundred and thirty-four acres from a brother-in-law, who had bought it from the Beaman estate, and since that time his undivided attention has been given to the further development and improvement of the place, which, in its excellent appearance, indicates his careful supervision and practical, progressive methods.

Mr. and Mrs. Beaman have become the parents of nine children, and there are also thirteen grandchildren and thus far there has never been a death in the family.  There are five daughters and four sons, namely:  Mary O., the wife of Clayton Wambold, a resident farmer of Harrison township;  William E., who follows farming in Lincoln township;  Ernest O., a farmer of Madison county;  Golda E., the wife of Ellis Estell;  Grace M., the wife of Percy Estell, a farmer of Madison county;  Walter Harvey, who also follows farming in Madison county;  and Frank I., Hazel M. and Clyde Merle, all at home.

The parents are members of the Methodist Episcopal church and Mr. Beaman gives his political allegiance to the democratic party.  He has never been active as a politician, however, preferring to devote his undivided attention to his business affairs.  In addition to his home farm he has twenty acres of timber and his holdings make him one of the substantial farmers of Harrison township.  Industry has ever been one of his salient characteristics and sound judgment has guided him in all of his business transactions.

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