Sacramento County
JAMES ELLIOTT BEACH
Sacramento county
lost one of its best known and most useful citizens when, on February 9, 1927,
James E. Beach breathed his last, the immediate cause of his death being
pneumonia. For long years he had stood in the front rank of the progressive
farmers of this section of the state and was widely known for his fine public
spirit. He was born in Mount Pleasant, Henry county, Iowa, in 1858, and was a
son of Thomas and Deborah (Steele) Beach. He attended the common schools and
Howe's Academy, at Mount Pleasant, after which he taught school, and in 1879,
about the time he attained his majority, he came to Sacramento and attended
Howe's school, the proprietor of which was a brother of the head of Howe's
Academy, which he had attended in Iowa. On completing his course he took the
required examinations and received both county and state certificates as a
teacher. After spending several years as an educator, Mr. Beach turned his
attention to agricultural pursuits, securing a farm of eight hundred acres near
Mills Station, known as the Hampton Bryan place. Later he also farmed his
father-in-law's place "Wildwood," at Mills Station, near Fairoaks
Station. He devoted his attention closely to the management of these two farms
and met with a gratifying measure of success.
Mr. Beach was of an inventive
turn of mind and devised and brought out many useful articles. Some of these
were major inventions, including a grain cleaner, a seeder and an almond
huller. He was best known for the almond huller, which was manufactured at
Fairoaks to the time of his death. This was the second almond huller made in
this state and was officially approved by the Almond Grower's Association. It
was sold all over the country, and there were also many inquiries about it from
foreign countries. However, Mr. Beach never sent any abroad, as its manufacture
and sale were only operated by him as a side line.
On February 18, 1890, Mr. Beach
was united in marriage to Miss Mary Cox, whose father owned the large ranch at
Mills Station, previously referred to. They became parents of nine children, as
follows: James Elliott, Jr., who is engaged in the cattle business in northern
California; Mary Bernice, deceased; Margaret Josephine; Thomas Joseph,
deceased; Constance Regine, who is the wife of Milton C. Gordon and the mother
of one child, Mary Gail; William Basil; Dorothy; Donald A; and Barbara Mary.
In his religious faith Mr.
Beach was a Roman Catholic and was a man of sterling character and high moral
and civic ideals. He held a number of public positions, the duties of which he
discharged in a manner that testified to his faithfulness and ability. Governor
Hiram Johnson appointed him a member of the board of viticulture in the agricultural
commission, on which he served during that governor's administration. He was a
member and master for several terms of the Grange. He served as county clerk of
school districts and was a member of the school board for sixteen years. He was
offered many political jobs which he did not accept, serving only when he felt
that he could promote the best interests of the community. He was a member of
the Almond Growers' Association and was effective in advancing its interests in
this section of the state. He was chairman of the Lubin plan for establishing
prices, which later became worldwide in its use and application. Mr. Beach was
a general farmer, but specialized in grains and fruits. A close student of farm
problems, he was scientific in his methods and the results he attained were
worthy of the efforts he put forth. He stood high in the ranks of the
influential men of his neighborhood, commanded the uniform confidence of his
fellowmen, and among his associates was greatly esteemed.
Transcribed by Sande Beach.
Source: Wooldridge, J.W. Major History of the Sacramento Valley California, Vol. 2 pgs. 88-91. The Pioneer Historical Publishing Co. Chicago 1931.
© 2005 Sande Beach.