Berrien County MI Archives Obituaries.....Beebe, Norman P. December 27, 1945
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Niles Daily Star, Thurs. December 27, 1945, page 1
Niles Daily Star, Thurs. December 27, 1945, page 1

NORMAN P, BEEBE 67, DIES EARLY TODAY AT HOME
Former Mayor of Niles, Prominent Agriculturist Is Stricken Unexpectedly

. ..morning claimed the life of Norman P. Beebe, 67, at his home at 533 Oak street.
	One of the city’s most prominent citizens, Mr. Beebe was a founding director of
the First National bank of Niles, a one-time mayor of the city and one of the
state’s most diversified agriculturists.
Death Comes Unexpectedly
	Well and active until the time of his death, he was stricken at approximately
1:30 this morning.  He had arisen from his bed, complaining of not “feeling very
well.”  Before a physician who had been called arrived at the home, Mr. Beebe died.
	A graduate of the law school of the University of Michigan, Mr. Beebe had been
admitted to the bar but had never practiced law.  In his own words, he found
“farming more interesting.”
Vice President of Bank
	At the time of his death he was active as vice president of the Niles bank
which he helped to found in 1933.
	Often described as “Michigan’s most diversified much farmer,” Mr. Beebe was
born in Mendon, Mich., March 9, 1873, the son of a farmer.  He spent his youth
on the farm, then attended the University of Michigan where he was graduated in
1903.
	Although he received his law degree, Mr. Beebe followed his own desires and
those of this father and joined him in a farm venture east of Niles in 1905. 
His holdings now include three farms totaling 2,468 acres which have been
devoted largely to the growing of mint and vegetables.
Active in Civic Affairs
	In 1940, Mr. Beebe was honored as a master farmer by members of the Michigan
Muck Farmers’ Association.
	For some time he was very active in community affairs, having served as an
alderman from 1920 to 1924, as mayor in 1924 and 1925 and as president of the
Chamber of Commerce in 1928 and 1929.
	Before the war, Mr. Beebe spent most of his winters traveling.  His trips have
taken him to 80 foreign countries where he exposed countless feet of motion
picture film to preserve his experiences.
Fled Flames of War
	Mr. Beebe was traveling through China when the Japanese began invading that
country.  With his wife and daughter he narrowly escaped the city of Peking,
just before that city was captured by the Japanese.
	Other trips took him to Africa (continued on page two) where he was a member of
a big game hunting expedition.  In later years he traveled extensively in
Mexico, photographing unknown and out of the way places in that country.
	Mr. Beebe is survived by his wife, Georgia, whom he married in Ann Arbor,
October 20, 1904; his mother, Mrs. Esther Beebe, Mendon; one daughter, Mrs.
Wallace Coles, Niles; a brother, Clyde, of Benton Harbor, and two grandchildren.
Hold Rites Saturday
	Funeral services will be held Saturday at 2 p.m. at the First Presbyterian
church, the Rev. T. M. Greenhoe, officiating.  Burial will be in Silverbrook
cemetery.
	He was an active member of the Presbyterian church, the Niles Rotary club, the
Masonic lodge, the Knights Templars and the Shriners lodge.



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