Biography of Lorenzo Lee Bean, Fort Meade, Polk County, FL

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Transcribed from:  The History of Florida:  Past & Present, The Lewis Publishing Co., Vol. 
III, page 357, 1923.

BEAN, LORENZO LEE, cashier of the First State Bank of Fort Meade, came to Florida with a banking 
experience acquired in Virginia and West Virginia, and has been one of the leaders in the 
business and civic affairs of Fort Meade for a dozen years.

Mr. BEAN was born in Hardy County, West Virginia, December 19, 1880, son of DAVID F. and 
JEMIMA S. (HELTZEL) BEAN.  His parents were natives of West Virginia, and his grandfather, 
GEORGE BEAN, settled in that state from Maryland.  The HELTZEL family were of German ancestry 
and old settlers in Virginia.  DAVID F. BEAN served as a Confederate soldier in McNeil's Rangers, 
Imboden's cavalry, and was in the service three years.  After the war he devoted his time to his 
farm.  LORENZO L. BEAN is fourth in a family of six children, three of whom are living.

Mr. BEAN was born in a log cabin home in the hills of West Virginia, and during his boyhood 
attended school only three months of the year.  At the age of twenty-one he left home and 
sought the means and opportunities for a better education.  For a time he taught school, and 
he also attended college at Front Royal, Virginia, where he graduated in 1905.  For several 
years he was principal of the high school at Lawrenceville, Virginia, and left that to go with 
a banking house at Moorefield, West Virginia.

Mr. BEAN in January, 1911, came to Fort Meade, Florida, and since that date has been actively 
identified with banking.  He was cashier at the old Commercial Bank, which has a capital of 
$15,000.  Later this was converted into the First National Bank, and by subsequent consolidation 
the institution became the First State Bank of Fort Meade.  Mr. Bean continuing as cashier and 
active executive official.  This bank now has a capital of $50,000, and surplus and profits of 
$30,000.  Mr. BEAN has acquired other business interests in this section of Polk County, and 
anything that concerns the welfare of the community enlists his hearty cooperation and support.  
He has served several terms as president of the Fort Meade Chamber of Commerce.

In June, 1909, he married Miss ADELINE DORTH, of Lawrenceville, Virginia.  Their three children 
are ELIZABETH, VIRGINIA and LORENZO LEE, Jr.  Mr. BEAN is a member of the Knights of Pythias 
and the Lutheran Church.