David C. Beaman

Submitted by Robert Kingrey

David C. Beaman was born in Lawrence County, Ohio, November 22, 1838, the son of Rev. Gamaliel C. and Amelia (Crichton) Beaman. His father, who was a native of Massachusetts, was a son of David Beaman, a selectman of his town; in youth he was given excellent educational advantages and prepared for college at Amherst Academy, later graduating from Union College, in Scheneetady, New York, and in 1831 completing the theological course at Andover. His first charge was in Piketon, Pike County, Ohio, and from there he went to Burlington, Lawrence County, Ohio, where he served as a pastor of the church and also as principal for the academy. In 1846 he removed to Montrose, Lee County, Iowa, and one of the most vivid recollections in our subjects mind is the burning of the Mormon Temple just across the Mississippi River, at Nauvoo, Ill., which took place two years after they settled in Iowa. At different points in Lee County, the father continued to make his home until 1874, and then settled in Croton. He died at the age of seventy-six years.

At the time of removing to Iowa, David C. Beaman was less than eight years of age. His education was obtained in the public schools, Denmark Academy and Oberlin College, two years being spent in the preparatory department of the latter institution. On returning to Iowa he entered the railroad business as station agent at Croton for the Des Moines Valley Railroad, and combined with the same company until 1861, when he enlisted into the United States Service, however, before his company was mustered in, he entered the Revenue Service of the United States, which was connected to the railroad service. His company took part in two engagements before he entered the Revenue service. He and General Belknap were standing side by side when they heard the first shot of a rebel cannon in the Battle of Athens, Mo., and Mr. Beaman afterward secured the first ball, which he preserves as a memento of the rebellion.

Upon leaving the railroad and revenue service, Mr. Beaman entered the mercantile business, which he carried on for a few years. During that time he began the study of law and in 1869 he was admitted to the bar in Van Buren County, Iowa, where he was then living. He carried on legal practice in the same place for five years and then moved to the county seat, Keosauqua, where he formed a partnership with Joseph C. Knapp, who was a member of the committee appointed by the church to try Henry Ward Beecher, on account of the Tifton affair; the committee, however, reported that there were no charges against the famous preacher except vague newspaper rumors and hence the trail never came off.

From 1874, when he formed a partnership Mr. Knapp, Mr. Beaman had an important and lucrative practice and also bore a prominent part in public affairs. At one time he was the Republican nominee for the legislature, but was defeated. In 1882 he moved to Ottumwa, Iowa, where he formed a partnership with E.H. Stiles and remained there until 1887. While in Keosauqua and Ottumwa he was attorney for the Burlington and Rock Island Railroads, which constituted his principle practice. In 1887 he came to Colorado and accepted the position of general attorney for the Colorado Fuel Company, since merged into the Colorado Fuel and Iron Company, in which he is a stockholder.

At Athens, Mo., December 31, 1860, Mr. Beaman married Luella A. Smith, who was born in Kentucky, a daughter of Dalzell and Mary A. (Thome) Smith, and a relative of Professor Thome, of Cleveland, Ohio. They are the parents of four children. The eldest James L.; who was born in Independent (now Selma), Van Buren County, Iowa, is a printer by trade, and at this writing holds the office of sheriff of Pueblo County, Colo. He is married and has three children, George C., who is also married, is chief clerk in the Company’s coal mines at Picton, Huerfano County, this state. The only daughter, Mrs. Alice M. Harper, is the mother of two children and lives in Ottumwa, Iowa. The youngest son, Arthur D., who is married and has one child, is mine clerk at Walsenburg, Huerfano County, for the company of which his father is secretary. The sons are capable businessmen and in politics like their father, support the silver cause, being firm in their allegiance to the movement for the restoration of silver to its proper standard.