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MAJ James Riley Bean

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Birth	:	19 May 1822 Todd County, Kentucky, USA
Death	:	12 Apr 1899 Seattle, King County, Washington, USA
Burial	:	Old Salem Cemetery, Gravesville, Van Buren County, USA
Coordinate	:	35.3955800, -92.3523200
Description	:	OBIT: Major Bean was born in Kentucky in 1822, and while a lad, his family moved to Liberty, Missouri, where he remained until 1845 when with many others, including Margaret Henderson, who later became his wife, he started across the plains for the territory of Oregon, which he reached the same year. Similar experiences as have befallen many others who crossed the plains in caravans were the lot of Major Bean, and up to the hours of his death he talked most interestingly of events which then and later filled the pages of his life's history. A... Read More	OBIT: Major Bean was born in Kentucky in 1822, and while a lad, his family moved to Liberty, Missouri, where he remained until 1845 when with many others, including Margaret Henderson, who later became his wife, he started across the plains for the territory of Oregon, which he reached the same year. Similar experiences as have befallen many others who crossed the plains in caravans were the lot of Major Bean, and up to the hours of his death he talked most interestingly of events which then and later filled the pages of his life's history. A small leather pocketbook, which he always carried with him, was a reminder of an act which branded him a hero in his earlier days. While crossing a river on the trip out, a member of the party fell overboard. Young Bean sprang in and saved them, and as a token of appreciation, the rescuer was presented with a leather pocketbook. Among the treasured bits of paper, Major Bean has carried in this time-worn book is a commission as first lieutenant issued to him in 1848 by Governor Abernathy of Oregon territory, at the time of the Cayuse Indian War. Arriving in Oregon, Major Bean settled in Yamhill County where he lived until 1870. During this period he made two trips to California, in 1848-49 and 1859, to join in the rush for gold, but in this venture he was not as successful as many others. In 1850 he returned to Yamhill County and married Margaret Henderson, with whom he had grown up from childhood, and over whom he had watched during the tedious, dangerous trip across the plains. For forty-nine years, these two people have lived a life of happiness, which has been blessed with six children, three of whom are living in Seattle: Mrs. [Anna Mary] W. I. Wadleigh, Miss Sarah Bean and H. V. V. [Horatio] Bean. In 1870 Major Bean moved to McMinnville from Yamhill County, and continued in the mercantile business there for six years, when he removed to Seattle and embarked in a similar line of business with W. W. White in a small frame building on the corner just now stands. They remained as co-partners for about a year and a half, Major Bean retiring. About 1878 Major Bean purchased the land where his homestead now stands and hewed out the timber and built a home for his family. In his later years he has taken great pains in beautifying this modest home until now the grounds are among the prettiest in the city. A man of large stature and finely chiseled countenance, Major Bean was a well-known figure to all old-time Seattleites. His character is best expressed in the words of his daughter, Mrs. Wadleigh: "Father was one of God's noblemen. He had a religion of his own, being above sect and orthodoxy. Kind and gentle always, he was the soul of goodness and the acme of manliness." The grief of the aged wife, who for forty-nine years has shared his joys and sorrows, is inconsolable. In her own language, the light has gone out of her life. Daily Intelligncer, April 13, 1899 ---------------------------------------------------------- BIO: James Riley Bean is the son of Robert Milan Bean and Mary W. (Roberts) Bean. In 1845, James, his mother and some of his siblings migrated by wagon train west from Kentucky to Oregon with the Trethlow Party and settled in Yamhill County. In the same train were the Hendersons, and this is where the romance began for James and Margaret Henderson. On September 9, 1850, in Yamhill, James married Margaret Jane Henderson, daughter of Jesse Henderson and Nancy (Hugheart) Henderson of Callaway County, Missouri. James and Margaret were Presbyterians. James had learned the hatters trade and he went into the business of making hats for the early pioneers. James and Margaret were parents of six children, all born in McMinnville, Oregon. Around 1873, James moved his family to Seattle, Washington. He became a widely known businessman, operating a Grocery store and a home on the SW corner of Bellevue and Harrison Streets. Children of Margaret and J.R. are: Sarah Bean, born 1851, died November 11, 1913, in Seattle, Washington Mary Anna Bean, born 1854, died February 3, 1926, in Haig, British Columbia, Canada, married Irving Wadleigh George C. Bean, born June 4, 1855, died January 19, 1864, in McMinnville, Oregon, age 8 Helen Frances Bean, born August 5, 1849, died January 17, 1864, in McMinnville Oregon, age 5 William Bean 1872-1872 (online info) Horatio VanVanton Bean, born January 29, 1866, died August 25, 1945, married Mary May Bray Source: Biography from Clan MacBean in North America, Volume III, Second Edition Revised 1995, by Joseph S Bean, page 264-265

frequently asked questions (FAQ):

Where is MAJ James Riley Bean's memorial?
MAJ James Riley Bean's memorial is located at: Old Salem Cemetery, Gravesville, Van Buren County, USA.
When did MAJ James Riley Bean death?
MAJ James Riley Bean death on 12 Apr 1899 in Seattle, King County, Washington, USA
Where are the coordinates of the MAJ James Riley Bean's memorial?
Latitude: 35.3955800
Longitude: -92.3523200

Family Members:

Parent

Spouse

Margaret Jane Henderson Bean

(1830 - 1917)

Siblings

Robert Millan Bean

(1841 - 1909)

Children

Sarah L Bean

(1851 - 1913)

Horatio Van Vanton Bean

(1866 - 1945)

Flowers:

Nearby Cemetories:

1. Old Salem Cemetery
Gravesville, Van Buren County, USA
Coordinate: 35.3955800, -92.3523200

2. Pine Mountain Cemetery
Bee Branch, Van Buren County, USA
Coordinate: 35.4190400, -92.3637600

3. Holland Cemetery
Gravesville, Van Buren County, USA
Coordinate: 35.3717003, -92.3328018

4. Fowler Cemetery
Damascus, Van Buren County, USA
Coordinate: 35.3669014, -92.3735962

5. Sand Springs Cemetery
Gravesville, Van Buren County, USA
Coordinate: 35.3836000, -92.3003000

6. Hardin Cemetery
Van Buren County, USA
Coordinate: 35.4542007, -92.3606033

7. Lloyd Cemetery
Bee Branch, Van Buren County, USA
Coordinate: 35.3997002, -92.4253006

8. Mode Cemetery
Guy, Faulkner County, USA
Coordinate: 35.3400002, -92.3221970

9. Bee Branch Cemetery
Bee Branch, Van Buren County, USA
Coordinate: 35.4468994, -92.3927994

10. Brooks Burial
Damascus, Faulkner County, USA
Coordinate: 35.3628800, -92.4187400

11. King Cemetery
Faulkner County, USA
Coordinate: 35.3507996, -92.2878036

12. Blackwell Cemetery
Bee Branch, Van Buren County, USA
Coordinate: 35.4322014, -92.4255981

13. Spires Cemetery
Faulkner County, USA
Coordinate: 35.3532982, -92.4347000

14. Central Cemetery
Quitman, Cleburne County, USA
Coordinate: 35.4145400, -92.2574400

15. Morganton Cemetery
Bee Branch, Van Buren County, USA
Coordinate: 35.4756000, -92.3385500

16. Copperas Springs Cemetery
Guy, Faulkner County, USA
Coordinate: 35.3143997, -92.3452988

17. Fairbanks Cemetery
Fairbanks, Van Buren County, USA
Coordinate: 35.4458000, -92.2724000

18. Kaley Hill Missionary Baptist Church Cemetery
Van Buren County, USA
Coordinate: 35.4258000, -92.2561000

19. Old Texas Cemetery
Faulkner County, USA
Coordinate: 35.3272018, -92.2893982

20. Zion Grove Cemetery
Twin Groves, Faulkner County, USA
Coordinate: 35.3233110, -92.4154610

21. Walley Comstock Cemetery
Morganton, Van Buren County, USA
Coordinate: 35.4859200, -92.3222000

22. Mount Pleasant Cemetery
Quitman, Faulkner County, USA
Coordinate: 35.3571900, -92.2466300

23. Quattlebaum Cemetery
Bee Branch, Van Buren County, USA
Coordinate: 35.4735985, -92.4214020

24. Old Whipple Cemetery
Conway County, USA
Coordinate: 35.3944440, -92.4825000