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George Washington BEAN, b. Aug. 14. 1874. McClellan Twp. was the son of Peter Alexander and Elizabeth J. LANEY BEAN (see this family). He was 16 months old when his mother died,and 7 years old when his father died. He was ever grateful for the care and guidance given him by cousin, on his maternal side. Retta SMITH HOWE, with whom he sometimes lived. He received most of his schooling at the one room Rightnowar School in Long Prairie. George advanced steadily, and won recognition for himself in the community. Having been raised in a rural area, he engaged in farming and the business of that time. He operated a steam powered grain separator, threshed grain for his neighbors, and did custom work in his area. George, who was a progressive man, also operated a saw mill at old Rydrtown, in the south end of Long Prairie, where huge piles of logs were cut and hauled to the mill to make ties for the booming railroads. Later he moved his young family to Conant, Ill. to continue this business. After a short time, however, he moved back to McClellan Twp. where his children went first to Rightnowar, then to Hickory Hill Schools.On April 1.1896. he was united in marriage in Jefferson Co. to Amanda Emily RIGHTNOWAR, b. Nov. 2, 1878, the daughter of Little Ad and Nancy E. GILES RIGHTNOWAR of McClellan Twp. (see this family). Their 5 children were:
George W., being a public spirited citizen and an ardent Democrat, took an active part in promoting the advancement and welfare of the community. He was elected Highway Commissioner of McClellan Twp. in 1917, served as Justice of the Peace in 1909, and in 1922, during which time he solemnized many marriages in his community. After living in Long Prairie and in Hickory Hill, he moved to Mt. Vernon, and entered the barber trade. He and his son Alec opened a barber shop on South tenth. He was a barber in the Mt. Vernon area for 30 years. He had a desire to read, and a keen ability to write and recite articles of inspiration. In 1925 he wrote and had published, the words and music of a song about a true but trqgic event that occurred in Jefferson County in the 1920's. George and Amanda were members of the Christian Church. Before her death, Nov 14, 1941, she was seriously confined, but continued to be of profound faith and influence. George W.'s efforts are memorials of faith and great confidence. With a heavy heart, he attended the funerals of his wife, and also two sons. He expressed his intense feelings in the words he penned and had inscribed on Amanda's gravestone. "Sweet memories of happy days, we mav oft times shed a tear. George W. lived among his children until he died on Dec. 6,1959, age 55. at his daughter Mabel's home near Mt. Vernon. Amanda and George are buried at Rightnowar Cemetery in McClellan Twp.
Source: Facts and Folks History Of Jefferson County 1978 |
For corrections or additions, please contact me: Sandy Bauer