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Below is a family biography included in Portrait and Biographical Record of Seneca and Schuyler Counties, New York published by Chapman Publishing Co., in 1895.  These biographies are valuable for genealogy research in discovering missing ancestors or filling in the details of a family tree. Family biographies often include far more information than can be found in a census record or obituary.  Details will vary with each biography but will often include the date and place of birth, parent names including mothers' maiden name, name of wife including maiden name, her parents' names, name of children (including spouses if married), former places of residence, occupation details, military service, church and social organization affiliations, and more.  There are often ancestry details included that cannot be found in any other type of genealogical record.

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HON. LEWIS BEACH. Our subject is one of the venerable men of Schuyler County, as nearly seventy years have left their record on his head in whitened hair. However, he retains his honorable position by virtue of his keen ability and well preserved physical attributes. He is one of the well known farmers of the town of Tyrone, and in addition to working his brother Daniel’s farm of one hundred and forty -five acres on shares, also rents forty-five acres.

Mr. Beach is a native of this town, having been born here January 5, 1828. He was reared on his father’s farm and lived here until about twenty-five years of age, when, desirous of seeing something of the western country, he started for Wisconsin. Choosing a farm in Rock County, he lived there for eight years, engaged actively in farming. While there the Civil War broke out, and Lewis, being fired with the spirit of patriotism, offered his services to the Union cause, and was mustered in in September, 1861, as a member of Company A, Thirteenth Wisconsin Infantry. He served with his regiment until November 19, 1864, when, his term of enlistment having expired, he returned home, and in February of the following year came to his native town. While on the field of battle he participated in many well known engagements, and suffered all the privations to which the soldiers were subjected. Having disposed of his farming interests in Wisconsin, Mr. Beach remained at home with his father until the death of the latter. He has continued to make this section his home since that time, with the exception of the two years when he lived in Polk County, Iowa, in 1871 and 1872. Farming he has made his chief business in life, and in this undertaking he has met with success. For many years he has been classed among the influential and substantial residents of the community.

At all times Mr. Beach has taken a very active part in political affairs, and for several years was Supervisor of the town of Tyrone. In the fall of 1879 he was elected to the Assembly, and was re-elected in the fall of 1880. During his incumbency of that position he served on various important committees and gave perfect satisfaction to his constituents, whose interests were always of first importance with him. He has been a firm advocate of Republican principles ever since the organization of the party, and in its councils he is very prominent. In religious affairs he is liberal and is not connected with any denomination or body.

Hon. Lewis Beach and Miss Adelia Willis were united in marriage August 12, 1869. The lady was born in Dresden March 7, 1845, the daughter of Charles P. and Caroline (Deisher) Willis. To Mr. and Mrs. Beach there have been granted two sons: Philip L., born in Mitchellville, Polk County, Iowa, on the 7th of December, 1872; and Charles W., born August 2, 1878, in Tyrone. Socially Mr. Beach is a prominent Mason and also belongs to Philip Beach Post No. 455, G. A. R., of which he has been Past Commander.

Obadiah Beach, the father of our subject, was born in Onondaga County, N.Y., January 8, 1804, and the mother, Mary Lang, was a native of Westchester County, this state. They were married September 19, 1826, in the town of Tyrone, Schuyler County (then in Steuben County), in a very early day, and were identified with the interests of this section until their death, both passing away in the same year, the mother January 13, 1878, and the father on the 24th of June. To them were born three children: Lewis, born January 5, 1828; Daniel, August 29, 1830; and Philip L., January 26, 1836. Obadiah Beach was always interested in matters where his community was concerned, and aided in various ways its up-building and improvement.

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This family biography is one of the numerous biographies included in Portrait and Biographical Record of Seneca and Schuyler Counties, New York published in 1895. 

View additional Schuyler County, New York family biographies here: Schuyler County, New York Biographies

View a map of 1897 Schuyler County, New York here: Schuyler County, New York Map

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