Ingham County Biographical Sketches



Alfred Beamer, Lansing



Mr. Alfred Beamer is a resident of Lansing of forty years standing, one of its pioneers in the railroad, express and telephone business, and has always been a large factor in all its public enterprises and movements. He was born in Ontario, Canada, in 1841, being the son of George and Rebecca Beamer. The father, a native of St. Catherine, removing to Michigan and settling in Lansing in 1870. There he lived until his death.

Alfred passed his boyhood and youthful days in Canada, receiving his early education in the Dominion schools, as well as his first trainig and experience as a telegraphic operator in the office in the Dominion. Coming to Lansing in 1864 he continued that line of work in connection with the railroad and express business. When he first became a resident of the place, he and old Sam Milemore transacted all the railroad business with the utmost ease. In those days one or two frieghts came through Lansing, constituting what was known as the Ram's Horn line.

Mr. Beamer continued to be identified with the railroad and express business until 1878, being connected with the American and National express companies. Subsequently, he built the first telephone exchange in Lansing, and managed that enterprise in connection with his express business until 1898. Since that year, his service has been monopolized by the express companies named, whose office is on the same corner now that it was when, forty years ago, as a young telegraphic operator, he joined his fortunes with the business, then in its weak infancy.

Mr. Beamer's prominence as a business man was further emphasized by his conduct of a prosperous produce trade for a number of years. His substantial standing in this regard was not earned at the expense of neglecting the public affairs of the community; for he has always taken a deep and active interest in the welfare of Lansing, especially in that which concerns the education of the young. He has served on the Board of Education, and, unofficially, has also been of great practical service to that cause. In politics he is a sound Republican, his religious affiliations being with the Congregational church. His connection with secret societies is confined to his membership in the Modern Woodmen.

In 1862 Miss Louise J. Adjit of Onario, Canada, became Mr. Beamer's first wife. Five children were born to them, of who three are living: Mrs. J. V. Barry of L ansing; Miss Mable Beamer, San Diego, Cal., and H. Bruce Beamer, Los Angeles, Cal. Mrs. Beamer died in 1894, our subject being a second time united in marriage to Mrs. Eliza Bush Hinman in 1895.






Taken from:
"Past and Present of the City of Lansing and Ingham County, Michigan", by Albert E. Cowles.
Published by The Michigan Historical Publishing Association Lansing, MICH., 1905.
Pages 133 - 134




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