Robert W. Beebe Biography


	This biography appears on pages 830-831 in "History of Dakota 
	Territory" by George W. Kingsbury, Vol. V (1915) and was 
	scanned, OCRed and edited by Maurice Krueger, mkrueger@iw.net.

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				ROBERT W. BEEBE. 

	Robert W. Beebe was a highly respected and esteemed merchant and 
live-stock dealer of Blunt, Hughes county, and managed his business 
interests well, gaining therefrom financial independence. He was born 
in Springfield, Massachusetts, on the 13th of June, 1841, and began his 
education in the public schools of that state. However, he removed to 
Wisconsin when but a lad and there continued to attend school. On 
reaching mature years he turned his attention to merchandising and 
followed that occupation in Mankato, Minnesota, where he was also 
interested in the lumber business. In 1884 he removed to Blunt, South 
Dakota, and accepted a position in the Citizens Bank, with which he 
remained for five or six years. At the end of that time he disposed of 
his interests in that institution and engaged in merchandising in 
Blunt, in which he met with gratifying success. He continued his 
connection with mercantile pursuits until his demise, which occurred on 
the 25th of February, 1906. He also dealt in live stock and had other 
interests as well, owning considerable property in Blunt, while for a 
number of years he held title to valuable real estate in Mankato. 

	Mr. Beebe was twice married. Soon after attaining his majority he 
was united in marriage to Miss Jennie M. Jones, a native of Wales, and 
they became the parents of two children: William E., who died in Blunt 
in 1890; and Florence, now Mrs. Harry McCarthy, of Kewanee, Illinois. 
The wife and mother died in Mankato, Minnesota. On the 28th of 
February, 1886, Mr. Beebe was married again, Miss Jeannette Howell 
becoming his wife. She is a native of Fort Dodge, Iowa, and is a 
daughter of Daniel T. and Elizabeth J. (White) Howell, both born in 
Greensburg, Indiana, the father in 1832 and the mother in 1843. For 
many years Mr. Howell followed agricultural pursuits but later turned 
his attention to brick making, which occupation he followed in Fort 
Dodge, Iowa. In 1883 he came to South Dakota and entered a claim, which 
he improved until he was taken sick. His daughter Jeannette then came 
and finished proving up on the claim. While so doing she was employed 
in the Citizens Bank, where she met Mr. Beebe. In the winter of 1884 
she received a patent to the claim but continued to work in the bank 
until a few months prior to her marriage. To Mr. and Mrs. Beebe were 
born three children. Clifford Allison and Robert Clayton, twins, were 
born September 25, 1891. The former is postmaster of Blunt and the 
latter is employed in Fresno, California, as a stenographer in the 
office of the superintendent of the Santa Fe Railroad. Silas Bernard 
who was born October 14, 1893, is now living in Seattle and is employed 
in the parcels post department of-the post office. 

	Mr. Beebe was a republican and supported all progressive 
movements in politics. His religious faith was that of the Methodist 
Episcopal church and fraternally he was identified with the Masonic 
blue lodge, while through his membership in Dumont Post, G. A. R., he 
kept in touch with others who served in defense of the Union. During 
the Civil war he enlisted in the Fourth Minnesota Volunteer Infantry 
and proved a brave and loyal soldier. He gained high standing in the 
business circles of Blunt and his admirable personal characteristics 
won for him the sincere friendship of many. 

	In its issue of March 2, 1906, the Blunt Advocate said: "In the 
death of Mr. Beebe Blunt loses one of its best known and foremost 
citizens. He was essentially a thorough, enterprising business man of 
sterling integrity. Quiet and unassuming in general demeanor, the 
hours, weeks and years of his active life were largely occupied in the 
conduct of business operations so varied and extensive as to overcome 
many physically better able to withstand the strain than he. He 
successively and successfully engaged in banking, dealt in lumber, 
coal, horses, cattle, sheep, wool, general merchandise and machinery, 
and conducted a hotel, generally operating half a dozen lines of 
business at once. During these years of activity there were few days 
when he did not unmurmuringly suffer pain from wounds received during 
his service with the Fourth Minnesota Volunteers during the Civil war 
and he carried to the grave, embedded in his body, a leaden memento of 
the battlefield. On the occasions when Mr. Beebe mingled socially with 
his friends at their homes, or when the doors of his own home were 
thrown open to friends and neighbors, he was the soul of geniality and 
hospitality, and it was an easy matter for the serious business man to 
become the life of the gathering. In a quiet and modest way he was 
always philanthropic and public-spirited, a well balanced man whose 
superior judgment and advice were often sought and acted upon to 
advantage by others-in brief, a man who will be truly missed." 

	Before the demise of her husband Mrs. Beebe had removed to 
Brookings with her children in order to give them the excellent 
educational advantages offered in that city and following his death she 
continued to reside there until they had all received a high-school 
education and also attended business college for a year. She then 
returned to Blunt and in December, 1909, was appointed postmaster, 
assuming charge of the office May 16, 1910. She held that position for 
four years, her services being entirely satisfactory to the residents 
of the town. She owns considerable land and is also engaged in the 
stock business. She is a woman of unusual executive ability and 
business acumen, and her investments have been very profitable. She 
belongs to the Order of the Eastern Star and has many friends within 
and without that organization All who know her respect and esteem her 
highly.