My Genealogy Hound

Richard H. Bean, farmer, miller and native of Washington County, Ark., was born on the 16th of December, 1837, and is a son of Hon. Mark Bean, who was born at Bean Station, Tenn., and came with his parents to Arkansas about 1820. He was married in Batesville, Ark., to Miss Hettie Stuart, and soon after settled on a farm in Franklin County, which county he afterward represented in the State Senate, being a member of that body several terms. In 1834 he took up his abode In Washington County, settling near what is now known as Rhea Mills, but afterward moved to Cane Hill, where he resided until his death which occurred in February, 1862. His wife died while they were living in Franklin County, and he afterward married Nancy J. Parks, a native of Tennessee, and a daughter of Robert W. Parks. Richard H. Bean was educated in the Cane Hill College, and grew to manhood in Washington County. When the war broke out he enlisted in the Arkansas State troops, but at the end of three months they were disbanded. In 1863 he joined Col. Jackman’s Missouri regiment, Shelby’s brigade, and served, mostly on detached duty, until the close of the war. He then returned home and erected a large steam saw and grist mill near Cane Hill, which he managed up to 1879, when he sold out and retired to his farm and engaged in stock farming, at which he has been entirely successful. He has been breeding and dealing in fine cattle, hogs and sheep for several years, and has as good blooded stock as there is in the county. He was one of the prime movers in establishing the Cane Hill Canning and Evaporating Factory, and has about $700 invested in that enterprise. He is one of the enterprising business men of Washington County. In May, 1866, he was married to Mary L. Lacy, a native of Alabama, and daughter of T. H. Lacy, by whom he is the father of seven children: Bettie, Ola S., William H., John L., Mary L., Nancy and Ruth. Mr. and Mrs. Bean are members of the Cumberland Presbyterian Church, and he is a Royal Arch Mason.