Yolo County CA Archives Biographies.....Beamer, Richard L. 1816 - 1879
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Author: Tom Gregory (1913)

RICHARD L. BEAMER

    From the time of his arrival in the west during the eventful year of 1849,
until his death thirty years afterward, the honored pioneer, Richard L. Beamer,
was identified with the material development of California, and during the
greater portion of the long-period he engaged in ranching in Yolo county. Nature
qualified him admirably for the difficult task of the frontiersman. A robust
constitution and sturdy physique enabled him to endure hardships without
detriment to his health. Toil made little impress upon his trained muscles.
Work, that open sesame to success, was the lodestar that guided him to an
ultimate prosperity neither insignificant nor unworthy of a man of ability.
Religion had assisted in the formation of his character and he gave of his best
to promote churches and also to advance educational interests. All in all, he
was a man of well-rounded character and attractive personality.

    Descended from an old family of colonial Virginia, Richard L. Beamer was
born in Carroll county, that state, February 29, 1816, and during youth learned
the trade of a cabinet-maker. Drifting toward the west with the tide of
migration and civilization, he followed his trade in Tennessee and Missouri and
in the latter state also improved a tract of raw land. While living in Missouri
he married Miss Rebecca Anderson, a native of White county, Tenn. Their son,
Richard H., now a leading citizen of Woodland, was born in July, 1849, while the
father was en route to California with an expedition of gold-seekers. After he
had reached the mines he tried his luck there and met with some success, but the
work did not interest him. In 1852 he turned his attention to farming and
stock-raising. In that year he bought a raw tract of land near the present site
of Woodland. Settlers were few. He knew little or nothing as to crops best
suited to the soil and climate. The cultivation of the land was in the nature of
an experiment. While there were many drawbacks on account of his ignorance of
best methods of cultivation and also by reason of his lack of proper appliances
for agricultural efforts, he nevertheless soon proved to his own satisfaction
that he could earn a livelihood here.

    The question of a livelihood settled, the next enterprise of importance
confronting the resolute pioneer was the return to Missouri after his family.
Arriving at home in the fall of 1853 he saw for the first time his son, Richard
H., a child of four years. During 1854 he brought his wife and child to
California and settled on his claim in Yolo county. Eventually he became owner
of four hundred and eighty acres of well-improved land, with buildings, fences
and other appurtenances of a modern estate. It was on this place his death
occurred November 5, 1879, and from here his body was carried to his last
resting place, not far from the scenes familiar to him through years of
activity. His able helpmate and widow is still living at the age of eighty-seven
years, making her home at the old family residence, at the head of North Third
street. From youth Mr. Beamer had been identified with the Christian Church, and
in his last days the hope and peace of religion encompassed him with a serene
happiness. A believer in education, he always regretted his own lack of early
advantages, and always aided the young in their efforts to secure schooling.
When Hesperian College was established he was one of its most enthusiastic
promoters and friends, and he gave freely of time and influence to aid the
institution in its struggle for maintenance. The discouraged and the destitute
found in him a generous helper and the community enjoyed the benefit of his
ripened experience and broad citizenship.


Additional Comments:
Extracted from

HISTORY OF YOLO COUNTY CALIFORNIA
WITH
Biographical Sketches
OF
The Leading Men and Women of the County Who Have Been Identified With Its Growth
and Development From the Early Days to the Present

HISTORY BY
TOM GREGORY
AND OTHER WELL KNOWN WRITERS
ILLUSTRATED COMPLETE IN ONE VOLUME

HISTORIC RECORD COMPANY
LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA [1913]


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