Yolo-Shasta County CA Archives Biographies.....Beamer, Richard Henderson 1832 - 
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Author: Lewis Publishing Co. (1891)

R. H. BEAMER.-There are but few, if any, names more familiar to residents of
Woodland and Yolo County, than that of the Beamer family, after whom, are named
the Beamer Block and Beamer's Addition to Woodland. The father of the subject of
this sketch, a Virginian by birth, who had settled in Missouri when a very young
man, was a California pioneer of 1849, and for twenty-five years was a resident
of Yolo County, where he accumulated a handsome estate, and died universally
respected and regretted by all classes, in November, 1879. The only son of this
gentleman, Richard Henderson Beamer, is a native of "old Missouri," and was born
on the 29th of July, 1849, at the time his father was delving for the precious
metal in California.

  The elder Mr. Beamer continued at mining until 1852, and in that year,
attracted by the fertility of the soil and the salubrity of the climate of Yolo,
he came here and was engaged for two years in farming, having acquired the
ownership of a piece of land near the ranch now under the management of R. H.
Beamer. In 1854, this gentleman, having decided on making Yolo County his future
home, returned to Missouri, and brought his family back with him, consisting of
his wife, his son,  R. H., and a daughter, now the wife of Mr. F. M. Brown, of
Woodland. The journey across the plains was accomplished with the aid of the
traditional team of oxen, and the little party duly arrived in Yolo County, of
which R. H. Beamer has since been a continuous resident, if we except the time
spent at an Eastern college in putting the finishing touches to his education.
He had the advantage of the best educational facilities afforded in the
locality, and being a bright, quick-witted youngster, with both the desire and
ability to excel in his studies, he successfully passed through the different
grades of the public schools with credit. His desire to still further continue
his studies was encouraged by his father, who was himself a well-read,
intelligent gentleman-one of the founders of the Hesperian College-who
thoroughly appreciated the benefits of a higher education. "Dick" Beamer, as he
is known to his friends and familiars, attended the Hesperian College, and
subsequently, in 1868, accompanied his father to the Eastern States, visiting
among other places the State of Kentucky. Mr. Beamer was then a young man of
nineteen, a susceptible age, and the young gentleman was very much impressed by
the scholastic opportunities afforded by the Blue Grass State, its many natural
beauties, and possibly by the charms of the fair daughters of the sunny South.
Infatuated by the inducements offered by the University of Kentucky, at
Lexington, he entered the School of Arts therewith connected, and while
worshiping at the shrine of Minerva became acquainted with Miss Mary E. Hodgen,
of Lexington. Completing his collegiate studies Mr. Beamer returned to his Yolo
County home, but in a few months again went East, and married the lady aboved
named in Lexington, December 20, 1870, a few months after he had arrived at his
majority. This gentleman brought his young wife to California, and has since
been a resident of Woodland and vicinity, where they were afterward followed by
the father, brother, and other relatives of Mrs. Beamer.

  R. H. Beamer is a thoroughly practical and experienced agriculturist, and has
for many years been extensively engaged in that industry, having 1,500 acres of
rented lands near Black's, under cultivation, and a half section under his
management near the city, on which stands his handsome, commodious and
comfortable suburban residence. He owns, in addition to the above, 800 acres of
choice lands in Shasta County.

  Entering the political arena at a very early age, this gentleman has tilled
several public positions of honor, trust and responsibility. In 1872, when in
his twenty-third year, R. H. Beamer was elected Auditor of Yolo County, at which
he served two years, and tilled the position so creditably to himself and so
satisfactorily to the citizens of Yolo that he, on the expiration of his term,
was nominated and elected to the County Assessorship, which responsible office
he held for four years. A short time after his retirement from office his father
deceased, and he again assumed the management of the old farm and home place,
continuing thereat until 1885, when he was elected Sheriff of Yolo, and served
that year and the following as such. "Dick" Beamer was also nominated by the
Democracy in joint convention to represent in the Senate the district which
embraces Yolo and Napa counties. This nomination was made in the face of the
fact that he had emphatically assured his political friends that it would be
impossible for him to accept. The nomination was equivalent to election, and the
compliment was a handsome one. It furnished striking evidence of the high
estimation in which he was held; but business connections and other
circumstances obliged him much against his will to decline the honor. Mr. Beamer
has been one of the school trustees for the past nine years. He has always
affiliated with the Democratic party, with broad views in politics.

  He is still a young man, not having yet entered upon the fifth decade of life,
and belongs to the progressive element which favors advancement and development.
He is opposed to the slow-going, old fogy class of men whose Silurianism has
been so detrimental to the progress of Yolo, and endorses and heartily supports
all movements having the welfare of this wonderful section in view. He does not
favor a "boom," but believes in encouraging immigration of the desirable kind,
and in the dividing of large tracts into small holdings. The magnificent
property known as the Beamer Addition consists of 100 acres, which, has been
subdivided into lots for residence purposes, and was recently sold to a
syndicate and placed upon the market by R. H. Beamer, who retains an interest
therein. The land lies at a considerable elevation above the city, and admirably
located as it is it will of necessity become a favorite for well-to-do Woodlanders.

  Mr. Beamer has had six children, two of whom have been taken away by death.
The eldest living is a young lady, highly accomplished, and the youngest a
bright and handsome boy just beginning to walk, and the sunshine of the household.

  Personally Mr. Beamer is of engaging address, quick and incisive in manner of
speech, and possessed of pleasing conversational powers. In disposition he is
genial and sociable, and having lived here as a boy, youth and man for
thirty-five years, has a large circle of friends and acquaintances.


Additional Comments:
Extracted from

Memorial and Biographical History of Northern California.

Illustrated, Containing a History of this Important Section of the Pacific Coast
from the Earliest Period of its Occupancy to the Present Time, together with
Glimpses of its Prospective Future; Full-Page Steel Portraits of its most
Eminent Men, and Biographical Mention of many of its Pioneers and also of
Prominent Citizens of To-day.

"A people that takes no pride in the noble achievements of remote ancestors will
never achieve anything worthy to be remembered with pride by remote
descendents." – Macauley.

CHICAGO
THE LEWIS PUBLISHING COMPANY
1891.

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