Oliver M. Beebe, who has been for twenty-three years devoting his
energies to the cultivation of his homestead on section 21, Hilyard
township, was born in Delhi, Jersey county, Illinois, on the 26th of
April, 1840. His parents were David and Catharine (Power) Beebe, the
father a native of New York state and the mother of Philadelphia,
Pennsylvania, but of Irish extraction. The maternal grandfather, William
Power was a native of Waterford county, Ireland, whence he emigrated to
America during the later colonial days, settling in Pennsylvania. He was
an officer of the United States navy and participated in the second war
with Great Britain in 1812. David Beebe, for many years a tea merchant
as well as an importer of tea and coffee in Philadelphia, came to
Illinois in 1833. He located on a farm in Jersey county, where for many
years he engaged in agricultural pursuits. Upon his retirement he
returned to Philadelphia and there he passed away. He also was a veteran
of the war of 1812. The mother survived for some years thereafter, her
demise occurring in St. Louis, Missouri. To Mr. and Mrs. Beebe were born
ten children, six sons and four daughters, all but four members of the
family now being deceased. Those living are as follows: Mrs. Adeline
Black, the eldest, who is a resident of this county; Mrs. Mary
Umberline, who lives in St. Louis, Missouri; Frank, who is also a
resident of St. Louis; and our subject, Oliver M. Beebe.
The
boyhood and youth of Oliver M. Beebe were spent on the parental farm in
Jersey county, where he acquired his preliminary knowledge of
agricultural methods and stock-raising. His education was limited to the
advantages afforded in the district schools in the vicinity of his home.
He worked for his father until old enough to start out for himself, then
came to Macoupin county and engaged in farming. It was from this county
he enlisted during the Civil war, going to the front in 1861 as a member
of Company D of the Mississippi Marine Brigade. He was in the service
for a year, receiving his discharge at Vicksburg, Mississippi, in 1862.
His regiment was stationed along the Mississippi for the purpose of
keeping the river open to traffic, and in the discharge of their duties
they were drawn into a number of notable conflicts. After being mustered
out he returned to his agricultural pursuits in Macoupin county, where
he has ever since continuously resided. Twenty-three years ago Mr. Beebe
purchased his present homestead, one of the well improved and cultivated
properties of the vicinity.
In 1880 Mr. Beebe’s plans for a home
of his own had their culmination in his marriage to Miss Lydia Gray, who
was born in Madison county, Illinois, on the 15th of February, 1854.
Mrs. Beebe is a daughter of James and Martha (Janes) Gray, the father
being a native of West Virginia and the mother of Indiana. James Gray
came to Illinois during the pioneer days, locating in Sangamon county in
1827. There he engaged in farming for several years, then came to
Macoupin county and after remaining here for a brief period removed to
Madison county. He farmed in the latter county for a short time but
subsequently returned to Macoupin county, continuing to live here until
his demise at the age of ninety-three years in 1897. The mother passed
away in 1881.
Of the thirteen children born to Mr. and Mrs. Gray
only two, besides Mrs. Beebe, are living: Hillary and Thomas, both of
whom are farming in this county. Mr. and Mrs. Beebe have one son, James,
who is living at home. The parents as well as the son hold membership in
the Baptist church, among whose congregation Mr. and Mrs. Beebe number
many stanch friends of long years’ standing.
Extracted 18 Nov 2018 by Norma Hass from History of Macoupin County, Illinois: Biographical and Pictorial, by Charles A. Walker, published in 1911, Volume 2, pages 643-644.
Macoupin County ILGenWeb Copyright
Design by
Templates in Time
This page was last updated
07/01/2022