My Genealogy Hound

WILLIAM T. BEACH. This enterprising proprietor of the old Beach homestead, located on East Bayard Street, a mile and a-half east of the village of Seneca Falls. He was born in the same house which he occupies January 13, 1858, and is a son of Stephen Thompson and Harriet (Shay) Beach.

The father of our subject was a native of Waterloo, and was born in that village March 31, 1822. Mrs. Beach, however, was born May 22, 1828, in Cayuga County. When quite young Stephen T. Beach came to the town of Seneca Falls with his father, Elam Beach, who took up his abode on a farm some little distance west of where our subject now lives. This property was also the home of his brother David, who had come to this state from Connecticut, which was also the native state of Elam.

Stephen T. Beach grew to mature years on the above farm, in the mean time gaining such an education as could be gleaned in the country schools. He was married the year after reaching his majority, March 14, 1850, to Miss Shay, and together they located on the farm where their son now lives. This property, which had been previously purchased by Mr. Beach, consists of eighty-five acres, nicely improved with buildings, and from the efficient manner in which it was cultivated netted him good returns.

During the late war the father of our subject enlisted in Company M, Fifteenth New York Engineers, and served from September, 1864, until the close of hostilities. He was in the front ranks most of that time, although on one occasion he was confined in the hospital for about a month, the result of being vaccinated. His arm became very badly swollen, and it was feared at one time it would have to be amputated. From this sickness he never fully recovered, and he departed this life January 21, 1881, greatly mourned. He was a firm adherent of Republican principles. A Grand Army man, he was buried with the services of that order.

Our subject and his sister, Hannah Ida, were the only members of their parents’ family. She died when four years and eight months old. William T. is well educated, completing his studies in the schools of Bridgeport, which was near his home. When ready to begin life for himself he was married, May 3, 1882, to Miss Mary Rorrison, a native of the town of Fayette. She is a most intelligent and accomplished lady, and after attending the academy at Waterloo and the schools of Ypsilanti, Mich., was engaged in teaching for a number of terms. By her union with our subject there have been born two sons: William Harrison, whose birth occurred December 23, 1884; and Chester A., born January 25, 1891. As may be expected, Mr. Beach is a true-blue Republican, and cast his first Presidential ballot in 1880 for James A. Garfield. He is a valued member of the Presbyterian Church of Seneca Falls, and with his good wife, who is also connected with this society, materially aids in extending the good work and influence of the organization.