Sacramento Valley Biographies RICHARD L. BEAMER Transcribed by Sally Kaleta, May 2009. This file is part of the California Genealogy & History Archives http://www.rootsweb.ancestry.com/~cagha/index.htm A rare type of the American citizen, the late R. L. Beamer is remembered by those pioneers and their families that are numbered among the early residents of Yolo county, for his sterling traits of character, his public spirit and his belief in the future prosperity of the county that claimed him as a citizen for over a quarter of a century. Richard L. Beamer was born in Carroll county, Va., February 29, 1816, and as a boy learned the trade of a cabinet-maker. April 15, 1847, he married, in Missouri, Miss Rebecca Anderson, a native of White county, Tenn. After a short sojourn in Tennessee he settled in Missouri, where he followed his trade and improved a tract of raw land. With a party of emigrants in 1849 he crossed the plains to the gold fields, where he met with fair success in the mines. However, the life of a miner possessed little fascination for him, and in 1852, he turned his attention to farming and stock-raising as offering a more congenial occupation. During that year he purchased a ranch near the present site of Woodland and began to till the soil and raise stock. The venture was more or less of an experiment. Little effort had been made to develop the land or to ascertain what products were best fitted to the soil and climate. Notwith-standing these drawbacks, his success was all that he had dared to hope. Finding that he could make a livelihood out of the land, he determined to remain here, and so returned east in the fall of 1853 for his family. There for the first time he saw his only son, Richard H., then five years old. After bringing the family to Yolo county in 1854 he resumed ranch pursuits and at the time of his death, which occurred November 5, 1879, he owned four hundred and eighty acres, improved with a substantial set of buildings. He was a man of religious temperament, a faithful member of the Christian Church and a generous contributor to its maintenance. Education had in him a stanch friend. Deprived of advantages in his youth, he appreciated the value of a good schooling and bore an active part in the establishment of Hesperian College. In him the poor and unfortunate had a practical, helpful and generous friend, and far and wide "Uncle Dickey" (as he was known) held the affectionate regard of both rich and poor. Since his death Mrs. Beamer has continued to reside at the old homestead. Of the children born to Mr. and Mrs. Beamer, five daughters died young, and two, Mary E. and Tena R., attained mature years. Richard H., the only son, is mentioned elsewhere in this volume. "History of the State of California and Biographical Record of the Sacramento Valley, Cal.," J. M. Guinn, The Chapman Publishing Company, Chicago, 1906, Pages 513-514. From the time of his arrival in the west during the eventful year of 1849, until his death thirty years afterward, the honored pioneer, Richard L. Beamer, was identified with the material development of California, and during the greater portion of the long period he engaged in ranching in Yolo county. Nature qualified him admirably for the difficult task of the frontiersman. A robust constitution and sturdy physique enabled him to endure hardships without detriment to his health. Toil made little impress upon his trained muscles. Work, that open sesame to success, was the lodestar that guided him to an ultimate prosperity neither insignificant nor unworthy of a man of ability. Religion had assisted in the formation of his character and he gave of his best to promote churches and also to advance educational interests. All in all, he was a man of well-rounded character and attractive personality. Descended from an old family of colonial Virginia, Richard L. Beamer was born in Carroll county, that state, February 29, 1816, and during youth learned the trade of cabinet-maker. Drifting toward the west with the tide of migration and civilization, he followed his trade in Tennessee and Missouri and in the latter state also improved a tract of raw land. While living in Missouri he married Miss Rebecca Anderson, a native of White county, Tenn. Their son, Richard H., now a leading citizen of Woodland, was born in July, 1849, while the father was en route to California with an expedition of gold-seekers. After he had reached the mines he tried his luck there and met with some success, but the work did not interest him. In 1852 he turned his attention to farming and stock-raising. In that year he bought a raw tract of land near the present site of Woodland. Settlers were few. He knew little or nothing as to crops best suited to the soil and climate. The cultivation of the land was in the nature of an experiment. While there were many drawbacks on account of his ignorance of best methods of cultivation and also by reason of his lack of proper appliances for agricultural efforts, he nevertheless soon proved to his own satisfaction that he could earn a livelihood here. The question of a livelihood settled, the next enterprise confronting the resolute pioneer was the return to Missouri after his family. Arriving at home in the fall of 1853 he saw for the first time his son, Richard H., a child of four years. During 1854 he brought his wife and child to California and settled on his claim in Yolo county. Eventually he became owner of four hundred and eighty acres of well-improved land, with buildings, fences and other appurtenances of a modern estate. It was on this place his death occurred November 5, 1879, and from here his body was carried to his last resting place, not far from the scenes familiar to him through years of activity. His able helpmate and widow is still living at the age of eighty-seven years, making her home at the old family residence, at the head of North Third street. From youth Mr. Beamer had been identified with the Christian Church, and in his last days the hope and peace of religion encompassed him with a serene happiness. A believer in education, he always regretted his own lack of early advantages, and always aided the young in their efforts to secure schooling. When Hesperian College was established he was one of its most enthusiastic promoters and friends, and he gave freely of time and influence to aid the institution in its struggle for maintenance. The discouraged and the destitute found in him a generous helper and the community enjoyed the benefit of his ripened experience and broad citizenship. Source: �History of Yolo County, California� by Tom Gregory. Published by the Historic Record Company, Los Angeles, California, 1913, pages 653 � 654. Transcribed by Bea Barton