D.C. Beam, 66

Another early settler has passed away. D. C. Beam died at his home in Sheridan Township Sunday morning, and was buried in the Admah Cemetery Monday.

Mr. Beam had lived on the farm where he died for nearly twenty-five years, and previous to that lived at Fort Calhoun. He was born in 1827.

His wife died a few years ago, but he leaves a family consisting of three daughters and one son, one daughter being married and the other two with the son at home. The youngest is sixteen years old.

Mr. Beam has an interesting history, the details of which; we are unable to give. He was a veteran of the Mexican War, having served through it as a soldier in the regular army. He also passed through this country as a soldier in the Army long before there were any settlements hereabouts.

After quitting the army he located at Fort Calhoun where he was a long time engineer in Elam Clark’s flouring mills.

About 1868 or 1869 he went onto the Sheridan farm, where he raised his family and built up one of the most valuable rural homes in this county. About a month ago he sold his farm and came to Blair to make the papers. He was taken sick while here and about ten days later was taken home. His decline was gradual from the first. Mr. Beam was a man of intelligence, strong personal character and the utmost probity, and was honored and respected by all.

The Blair Courier 17 August 1893

DeWitt C. Beam, 66

Died at his residency in Sheridan Township on Sunday morning, August 13th, 1893 D. C. Beam aged 66.

The deceased was one of the old pioneers of the west and his history here is much of it given in the reminiscences written by him and which were published in the Courier in the spring of 1890 and have since been published in the fourth volume of our State Historical Society.

After he was discharged from the Regular Army he settled in Knox County, Nebraska, and from which he removed to his late home in Washington County. He had relatives living near Fairfield, Iowa, being related to the Culbertson family formerly residing there but who have long since passed away.

He was in Blair some weeks ago and stopped with Hon. E.H. Clark and where he was sick for some days.

His funeral occurred on Monday afternoon and his remains were interred at the Presbyterian Church near Admah. One by one we are bidding a final adieu to our pioneer.

Note: GAR 1st U S Artillary (Vig Archives show DOB 2/21/1828 8/13/1893): Buried in Admah East

~~~ Obituary courtesy of the Washington County Genealogical Society. Newspaper clippings on file in the Blair Public Library at Blair, Nebraska.~~~ FindaGrave # 12409791