John Whitfield Beam Sr (1849 - 1910)

Born Aug 1849 in Cherokee, Alabama, USA

Ancestors

Husband of Mary J. (Birchfield) Beam — married 10 Dec 1872 in Shelby, Alabama, United States

Husband of Paralee D. (Barnard) Norton — married 13 Oct 1908 in Scott, Arkansas, United States

Died 24 Sep 1910 at age 61 in Hon, Scott, Arkansas, USA

Biography

In his obituary, John Whitfield Beam was noted as born in Cherokee County in the part which later became known as Etowah Co, AL. When he was living at Shelby Springs, AL, John enlisted in Selma, AL on 30 Aug 1864 as Whitfield Beam in his brother Hiram's unit -- Company A, 48th Alabama Regiment, Alabama Infantry. As it was nearing the end of the war he only participated in engagements at Fort Harrison, Darbytown 1864/10/07, Darbytown Road 1864/10/23, and Williamsburg Road 1864/10/27. John likely falsified his age to join the military in 1864 when he stated he was age 18, adding as much as four years, because after his service he consistently reported his birth date as about 1850.

In 1880 John W. Beam noted as age 30 was farming in Hickman, Scott Co, AR with his wife Mary J. and his four children age 7 and under. By 1900 John age 50 and his wife were farming with their two youngest children in Hon, Scott Co, AR.

In 1908 when his wife Mary died, John remarried Parlee, a 16-year-old girl, noting his age as 50 when he was actually 56. In 1910 John and his wife, now noted as Pallie, still farmed in Hon, Scott Co, AR and they had a new baby. Living next door was John's son Frank Beam age 33 and nearby was his son Robert Beam age 31. A Joseph Beam age 29 living near Robert is most likely John's nephew, the son of Presley Beam.

John died from injuries suffered by a stroke from a tobacco knife in the hands of C. or O. L. Bird on 3 Sep 1910 and was buried with Masonic honors being a member of Cauthron Lodge No. 385. The death of J. W. Beam was reported in the 30 Sep 1910 issue of The Advance Reporter: "J. W. Beam who was injured in a difficulty with C. L. Bird at Hon about three weeks ago, died last Saturday morning. Great hope had been entertained for Mr. Beam's recovery by his many friends, and he made a hard struggle against his infliction. He was buried Saturday afternoon with Masonic honors."

Sources

• "United States Census, 1850," database with images, FamilySearch (https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:MHPY-99S : 19 December 2020), Whitfield Beam in household of Ezekiel Beam, Cherokee, Alabama, United States; citing family , NARA microfilm publication (Washington, D.C.: National Archives and Records Administration, n.d.).

• 1860 Census: "1860 United States Federal Census"
  The National Archives in Washington D.C.; Record Group: Records of the Bureau of the Census; Record Group Number: 29; Series Number: M653; Residence Date: 1860; Home in 1860: Township 11 Range 5 East, St. Clair, Alabama; Roll: M653_23; Page: 147; Family History Library Film: 803023
  Ancestry Sharing Link - Ancestry Record 7667 #12608978 (accessed 21 April 2023)
  Whitfield Beam (11) in Township 11 Range 5 East, St. Clair, Alabama. Born in Alabama.

• 1872 Marriage: "Alabama, U.S., County Marriage Records, 1805-1967"
  Marriage Records. Alabama Marriages. County courthouses, Alabama
  Ancestry Sharing Link - Ancestry Record 61365 #1951502 (accessed 21 April 2023)
  J W Beam marriage to M. J. Burchfield on 10 Dec 1872 in Shelby, Alabama, USA.

• 1880 Census: "1880 United States Federal Census"
  Year: 1880; Census Place: Hickman, Scott, Arkansas; Roll: 56; Page: 392B; Enumeration District: 171
  Ancestry Sharing Link - Ancestry Record 6742 #39729888 (accessed 21 April 2023)
  John W Beam (30), married, Farming, head of household in Hickman, Scott, Arkansas, USA. Born in Alabama.

• 1900 Census: "1900 United States Federal Census"
  Year: 1900; Census Place: Hon, Scott, Arkansas; Roll: 75; Page: 5; Enumeration District: 0110
  Ancestry Sharing Link - Ancestry Record 7602 #36726342 (accessed 21 April 2023)
  John W Beam (50), married, Farmer, head of household in Hon, Scott, Arkansas. Born in Alabama, USA.

• 1910 Census: "1910 United States Federal Census"
  Year: 1910; Census Place: Hon, Scott, Arkansas; Roll: T624_64; Page: 9B; Enumeration District: 0121; FHL microfilm: 1374077
  Ancestry Sharing Link - Ancestry Record 7884 #777754 (accessed 21 April 2023)
  John W Beam (62), married, Farmer, head of household in Hon, Scott, Arkansas, USA. Born in Alabama.

• Probate: "Arkansas, U.S., Wills and Probate Records, 1818-1998"
  Probate Court Records, 1882-1933; Author: Arkansas. Probate Court (Scott County); Probate Place: Scott, Arkansas
  Ancestry Sharing Link - Ancestry Record 8638 #2020037 (accessed 21 April 2023)
  J W Beam probate on 27 Sep 1910 in Scott, Arkansas, USA.