Title:

Autobiography and Reminiscence of William Lemuel Beebee, (Deceased), 1901.

[Institutional Records Digitization Project: Reminiscences of Early Pioneers: 1900-1904]

Creator/Contributor:

Beebee, William Lemuel, 1829-1899, creator

Autobiographies and Reminiscences of California Pioneers, p. 6-17, Vol. 4. This is a typed transcript of the member's autobiographical reminiscence created as an institutional record for the Society of California Pioneers. This reminiscence is written by a life-long friend of the subject, James Cass, also a member of the Pioneers. This reminiscence covers the period of Mr. Beebee's life from 1846 to 1899. It provides some information regarding his ancestral lineage and the vocations of his immediate relations. It also describes some of the events that led up to his journey to California. Mr. Beebee's work history is detailed as are his impressions of traveling to and around California.

Date:

1901 (issued)

Subject:

Beebee, William Lemuel -- 1829-1899

Cass, James -- 1824-1917

Pioneers -- California -- Biography

Frontier and pioneer life

Gold mines and mining -- California.

Lumber trade -- California -- History

Voyages to the Pacific Coast

California -- Description and travel

San Francisco (Calif.) -- History

San Luis Obispo (Calif.) -- History

Copyright has not been assigned to The Society of California Pioneers. All requests for permission to publish or quote from manuscripts must be submitted in writing to the Librarian. Permission for publication is given on behalf of The Society of California Pioneers as the owner of the physical items and is not intended to include or imply permission of the copyright holder, which must be obtained by the reader

Autobiography & Reminiscence of William Lemuel Beebee, (Deceased), 1901. The Society of California Pioneers

William Lemuel Beebee was born on November 21st, 1829 in Oswego, New York. In November 1846, Mr. Beebee accompanied the Consul to Valparaiso on the Barque "Harlensin" sailing from Baltimore to Valparaiso, Chile. While staying at the American Consulate in Valparaiso he made the acquaintance of two commanders of the U.S. Store-Ship "Southampton" and was convinced to extend his journey to California. Their vessel put into the Harbor of Monterey on August 25th, 1847. Mr. Beebee continued from there to Sausalito aboard the "Malacafel", and then to San Jose where he was engaged as a store clerk. Mr. Beebee was one of the early ones to go to the mines in search of gold. In May 1849, he left the Northern Counties for San Luis Obispo to open a general merchandise store with a partner. After two years without much success Mr. Beebee withdrew from the firm and engaged in ranching eight miles south of San Luis Obispo. He continued to ranch until the dry season of 1864-65 when he was forced to sell his ranch on account of financial set back. Mr. Beebee was instrumental in the organizing of a strong Republican constituency in his area. He was appointed Judge of San Luis Obispo. He also was Vice President of the First National Bank of San Luis Obispo, and elected President when the bank changed to the County Bank. In 1869, Mr. Beebee joined the firm "Schwartz, Harford & Co." which would grow to control most of the lumber trade of San Luis Obispo County. The company would make several changes in ownership before finally being sold to Southern Pacific Milling Co. Mr. Beebee died on June 1st 1899 after two years of illness

Type:

Autobiographies.

[12] p. ; 35 x 21 cm.

English

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Origin:

California

Copyright has not been assigned to The Society of California Pioneers. All requests for permission to publish or quote from manuscripts must be submitted in writing to the Librarian. Permission for publication is given on behalf of The Society of California Pioneers as the owner of the physical items and is not intended to include or imply permission of the copyright holder, which must be obtained by the reader.

Collection:

The Society of California Pioneers collection of autobiographies and reminiscences of early pioneers