My Genealogy Hound

CHARLES VINCENT BEEBE is a gentleman in whose veins runs the assertive blood of the sons of Albion, and that of the conservative Teutons, and possessing all the best business qualifications of both races, has, as a matter of course, been a successful business man. He is a son of James and Eva A. (Vincent) Beebe, and was born in Cassadaga, Chautauqua county, New York, on November 11th, 1837. Charles Vincent was born in Madison county, this State, where he afterward owned six hundred acres of land and several lumber mills, and was one of the wealthiest and most respected citizens of that section, being elected judge of Madison county and justice of the peace. He finally moved to this county and settled at Milford, just west of Fredonia, where he purchased a small piece of land and lived a retired life. Charles Vincent married and had thirteen children, among them being Jefferson, Madison, Sallie and Cornelius. James Beebe (father) was born in Buffalo, Erie county, New York, in 1807, and moved to Chautauqua county with his parents in 1810, and worked on his farm, attending the public schools mainly in the winter, and afterward taught school several terms. For a few years he worked as a clerk in John Dewey’s store in Cassadaga, and then established a wagon-manufactory in Fredonia, employing a half dozen men, which business he continued twenty years, when he was succeeded by his son, F. H. Beebe, who still carries on the business. In 1855 he built a hotel in Fredonia, which he continued four years in connection with a small farm that he owned, and then sold the hotel to James L. Walters, turning his attention to the growing of small fruits, in which occupation he continued until his death in August, 1888, aged eighty-one years. He was an inveterate reader, his favorite subject being ancient and modern history, in which he was exceedingly well posted, besides being an expert mathematician, having had difficult problems sent him from all parts of the United States and Canada, none of which he failed to solve. In politics he was an uncompromising Jackson democrat, his first vote being cast for Gen. Andrew Jackson. He was highly respected by all who knew him. James Beebe was married in 1834 to Eva A. Vincent, a daughter of Charles Vincent, by whom he had six children, four sons and two daughters: James M., a farmer and breeder of Jersey cattle in Cassadaga, this county, who married Lucy J. King; Mary E. married George Fisher, who died, and she then married Byron Landers, a manufacturer of fruit baskets, etc.; Francis H., a wagon-maker in Fredonia, who married Lydia Todd; Frank W., a basket manufacturer, who married Lydia Fisher; Sarah, who died young; and C. V. Mrs. Beebe died aged forty-eight years.

Charles Vincent Beebe was educated in the common schools of Cassadaga until he attained his majority, when he engaged with his brother, F. H., in wagon making, in which business he remained five years, ill health compelling him to abandon it. When he had somewhat recovered his health and strength, he opened a general store in Fredonia, which he conducted for more than a score of years, when he was succeeded by his son, J. W. In 1880 he associated with himself, his son J. W. and his brother-in-law, Byron Lander, under the firm name of C. V. Beebe & Co., and started a basket manufactory, which they still operate. He has been very successful in all his business enterprises, and now carries an average of eight thousand dollars worth of stock, transacting a yearly business of sixteen thousand dollars. He is a member of Sylvan Lodge, No. 303, F. and A. M., at Sinclairville; and a charter member of the Canadaga Lake Lodge, No. 28, A. O. U. W.

Charles Vincent Beebe was married November 6, 1859, to Mary A. King, a daughter of Ruggles King, a farmer in Stockton, this county, and has one son, J. Webb, who runs the store.