JOHN Q. BEAM was born in Frederick County MD August 6,1824, and is the seventh of the ten children born to John and Nancy (Zimmerman) Beam, the former t native of Germany and the latter of Maryland. John Beam, who was born in 1787, came with his parents to the United States when he was but eight years of age, settled in Maryland, there learned the miller's trade, there married, and in 1832 moved to what is now Wyandot County, Ohio, where he followed his trade until the spring of 1853, when he moved to St. Joseph County, Mich, where he died in June, 1856. John Q. Beam was reared a miller, but at the age of fifteen began working,- by the month at firm labor, which he continued in Ohio and Michigan until 1847, when he went to work in at distillery at Flowerfield, St. Joseph County, Mich., in 1854, became a partner, and sole proprietor in 1861. In 1849, lie bought a farm in Kalamazoo County, Mich., and in connection with his stilling conducted farming until 1862 or 1863. From 1863 to 1874, he devoted his entire attention to farming and stock-shipping, and in the last named year came to Reynolds and bought the flouring mill, which is now doing an excellent business. July 2, 1847, he married Hannah M. Wheeler, a native of Hartford, - Conn., who has borne him one daughter- Marion H., now Mrs. John A. Batson. Mr. Beam served as Highway Commissioner for six years in St. Joseph County, Mich., and was also elected Justice of the Peace, but refused to qualify; in 1880, he was elected one of the Com- missioners of this county, which office he still holds. At present he is identified with the National Greenback party.

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