My Genealogy Hound

JOHN T. BEEM, the able editor and proprietor of the Du Quoin Tribune, claims Pennsylvania as the state of his nativity. He was born in Pittsburg on the 23d of August, 1839, and when five years of age, in 1844, was brought to Illinois by his father, the family settling in Alton, in which city he was reared to manhood. There he also acquired his education. At the age of fourteen he went into the office of the Alton Telegraph, where he learned the printer’s trade, and worked his way upward until he became one of the owners of that paper in 1860.

When the war broke out, Mr. Beem was just getting a good start in business, but the President issued his call for troops and he sacrificed his business interests for the good of his country. He donned the blue and entered the service in 1862, as a member of Company G, Ninety-seventh Illinois Infantry. He remained with his regiment only six months, when he was placed on detached duty. He then served for one year with the Chicago Mercantile Battery, and for a year and a-half was stationed at the headquarters of Gens. T. E. G. Ransom, M. Lawler and E. R. S. Canby as clerk. He was always faithful to the duty entrusted to his care, and when the war was over received an honorable discharge.

The country no longer needing his services, Mr. Beem returned to his old home in Alton, and in 1868 removed to Du Quoin to become the foreman on the Tribune. On the 7th of November, 1870, he became one of the proprietors of the paper, and continued his connection with it as part owner until 1887, when he became sole proprietor. Since that time he has had entire control of the Tribune, and it is due to his energy and push that it is one of the most able, clean and progressive papers of southern Illinois. There are few newspaper men that put more hard work into the management of a paper than does Mr. Beem. When he is not at the editorial desk, he is found in the pressroom or engaged in superintending the job department. Owing to his good management and well directed efforts, he has built up a large business and well deserves his liberal patronage.

On the 17th of May, 1866, Mr. Beem was united in marriage with Miss Elvina McGowen, a native of Butler County, Pa., and a daughter of James McGowen. She died June 10, 1878, leaving two children: Delia, now an assistant in the Tribune office; and Loren. Mr. Beem’s father and two of his brothers also did service in the Civil War, and both brothers died from the effects of hard service. His father is still living in Alton, at the advanced age of ninety-two years.

Mr. Beem is an active member of Loomis Post No. 106, G. A. R., and in political sentiment is a stalwart Republican, but has never sought or desired public office, preferring to devote his entire time and attention to his business interests. He is wide-awake to the best interests of the city, and is ever ready to aid in the advancement of those enterprises which are calculated to promote the general welfare.