Untitled Document

WILLIAM HENRY BEAN

The fact that a man is able to retire and live on his property, is ample proof that his earlier years were not frittered away in useless endeavor. A number of the most substantial men of Rock Island county are those who are now living retired from business activities, and among them is William Henry Bean, of No. 1201 Third avenue. He was born February 10, 1842, in St. Louis, son of John L. and Manilla (Smith) Bean. The family came to Rock Island when William H. Bean was two months old, and he grew up here. John L. Bean was a man of considerable prominence in Rock Island. A carpenter and builder, he completed many contracts in the city and county, and at one time operated a sash and door factory. He served as alderman several times, and in other offices. His death occurred in March. 1900, when he was eighty-six years old. His wife passed away, in 1898, aged eighty years. They had four children, of whom William Henry Bean was the second in order of birth.

William Henry Bean grew into a useful manhood, receiving his education at the excellent schools of Rock Island, including both the grammar and high school grades, and later went to the seminary here, being graduated from all with credit to himself. On August 8, 1862. he enlisted in Company I. One Hundred and Twenty-sixth Illinois Volunteer Infantry, and was mustered in at Chicago. The regiment was attached to the Army of the Tennessee, and participated in the siege of Vicksburg, after which they went with General Steele to Arkansas, marching all the way. Here they were stationed until the close of the war. Mr. Bean was honorably discharged at Pine Bluff, Ark., :July 12. 1865. and returned to Rock Island. Following this. he clerked in hardware stores and clerked in a lumber office until 1875, when he embarked in a grocery business, conducting it very successfully until 1908, when he sold his interests, and is now living retired.

Mr. Bean was married in Tampa county, Ia., to Sarah Slessor, daughter of William Harvey and Catherine (Mess) Slessor. Mrs. Bean was horn on the Isle of Man in a lighthouse, but was brought with eight other children of the family to the United States, when fifteen years old, in 1866. They spent three months at Alliance, Ohio. and then came to Rock Island. The family later went to Tama county, Iowa, where the father purchased a farm. Mr. Slessor was employed by the British government as lighthouse keeper for twenty-three years. He and his wife had five sons and four daughters, and Mrs. Bean was the third in order of birth.

Mr. and Mrs. Bean have no children, but by a former marriage with Archibald Cameron, Mrs. Bean had two children: John William and Archibald C. Cameron. The elder is on a farm, and the younger, in Kansas City. Mo. Mr. Bean is a member of the Old Settlers' Association, which his father served as president for two years. Mr. Bean is a member of the John Buford Post, No. 243, G. A. R., and is interested in meeting old comrades, with whom he served faithfully as a soldier, demonstrating his loyalty to the country, and he has never abated his love for it and all it represents.

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Illinois Ancestors