Jacob Beem

Jacob Beem, the youngest son of Michael and Elizabeth Beem, was born in Allegheny Co, MD and came to Licking COunty with his father in 1812. He married Pheobe Rose, daughter of Phillip and Ruth Rose Nov 15,1827. To this union was born ten children, nine boys and one girl. In 1832 Jacob Beem visited Aaron and John Beem, his brother Richard's sons who then libed in Union CO Ohio. He was so impressed with the fertility of the land and the beauty of the country that in 1833 he moved his wife and three sons, Milton, orrin, and Issac Newton to Union Co. buying 237 1/2 acres of land. His first intention was to buy 600 acres on the site of the present town of Richwood but he was a day late as the land had been purchased by Philip Plummer. Jacob Beem was a man of strong physical, mental and moral powers, thought and acted for himself and would mold to the ideas of others only when they were consistent with reason. On the whole he was just such a character as would have braved the hardship of a new country and pioneer life and awaken energy, enterprise and moral force in a circle in which he moved. He bought, sold and traded farm lands and stock, farmed extensively and also took contracts to clear land. Perhaps he and his sons cleared more land than any other family in the township. He was a Universalist in religious belief.