Macoupin County
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Biography - OLIVER M. BEEBE

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.


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