From A
Biographical History of Central Kansas, Vol. I, p. 529
published by The Lewis Publishing Co, Chicago & New York, 1902
NATHAN A. C. BEAN
Nathan A. [Ashland] C. [Clay] Bean, deceased, was a resident of Rockville township, Rice county, and enjoyed the high esteem and unqualified regard of all with whom he came in contact. He was numbered among the pioneer settlers of the community, and in the neighborhood where he lived for so many years his loss was deeply mourned, for all knew him to be a man of upright principles and honorable life. He was born in Frederick county, Virginia, in 1846, and represented a good family of that state. His father, James Bean, was also a native of the Old Dominion and there married Gule Elma Fawsett, who was born in the same state and was a member of the Society of Friends or Quakers. The parents both died in the Old Dominion. They had seven children: Joseph, who was a soldier in the Union army during the Civil war and now resides in Virginia; Mrs Mary Richards, of Winchester, that state; Nathan A C; Mrs Anna Cooper, also of Virginia; Mrs Sarah Ramey, who is living in Nebraska; Mrs Aurelia Williams, who resides upon the old homestead farm in Virginia; and Mrs Gussie Larrick, who is living in Frederick county, that state. The father was a farmer and planter, and at the time of the Civil war he espoused the cause of the Union, believing firmly in the supremacy of the national government in Washington as represented by the administration in power.
Nathan A C Bean, whose name introduces this review, was reared upon the old homestead in Virginia and acquired his education in the schools of the neighborhood. In Frederick county, that state, he was united in marriage, in 1869, to Miss Rachel Fry, a lady of culture and intelligence, who was reared and educated in the Old Dominion and proved to her husband a most faithful and devoted helpmate and companion on the journey of life. Her parents were Eli J. and Lea [Leah] (Findlay) [Finley] Fry, natives of Virginia and in their family where eleven children [there were actually 12, Turner Hite Fry is not mentioned in this article], namely: Fannie, Mrs Bean, Archibald, Katie, Ida, William and Edith, all of whom are yet living, and Mrs Eliza Cooper, Robert, George and Briscoe, who have passed away. The father was a blacksmith by trade, following that pursuit in order to provide for his family. He died in 1901, at the age of eighty years, respected by all who knew him. His widow, however, is still living on the old home farm in Virginia, at the age of seventy-four years, and is a devoted member of the Lutheran church.
Mr and Mrs Bean began their domestic life in the state of their nativity, but hoping to better their financial condition emigrated westward in 1871, securing a homestead claim in Rockville township, Rice county, Kansas. With characteristic energy he began the development of his farm and carried on agricultural pursuits until his life’s labors were ended in death. The tract comprised one hundred and sixty acres, which he transformed into richly cultivated fields and improved with good buildings and an orchard. Here he and his wife reared their family, numbering eleven children. Mrs Mattie Christmore is now living in Labette county, Kansas. Mrs Mamie Birch resides in McPherson county, Kansas. Edgar, who was a well known resident of Windom for a number of years, moved to Kansas City, Missouri, where he had the misfortune to lose his wife, and then returned to Windom, where he now resides. James, who was successfully engaged in teaching, became a student in Saline College, where he graduated in the business course and is now employed as bookkeeper for a large milling firm in Gypsum, Kansas. Bonnie and Lottie were also students in the same school, where they received a normal course. Ethel, Branson, Ruth, Asa and Luther are all yet at home. They also lost one child, Elma, a twin sister of Edgar. The two eldest daughters, Mrs Christmore and Mrs Birch, have been popular and successful teachers of the county.
Both Mr and Mrs Bean became members of the Methodist Episcopal church and did all in their power to promote its growth and upbuilding. During the Civil war he was an advocate of the Union cause and gave his political support to the Republican party up to the time of his death, which occurred April 14, 1888, when he was forty-two years of age. He was a man of upright principles and sterling worth, who ever commanded the respect and confidence of those with whom he was associated. Since her husband’s death Mrs Bean has devoted her attention to the management of her property interests and to the care of her children, whom she has nobly reared. All of them are now members of the church. They have also received good educational privileges, and have thus been fitted for life’s practical and responsible duties. She has regarded no sacrifice too great that would promote their happiness and welfare, and in return she receives their loving care and consideration. Like her husband she is a zealous member of the Methodist Episcopal church and in her life exemplifies her Christian belief.
[NOTE: Text in red submitted by Dick Rush]