Sacramento County
Biographies
JEREMIAH K. BEEDE
The varied occupations that engross the
attention and kindle the aspirations of men represent the different ideals
formed in their youth, the different environments of their early years and the
different talents and tastes implanted in their minds by nature. The
occupation in which Mr. Beede has been exceptionally
successful, that of telegraph operator, reflects his own personal preferences
and inclinations, but his identification with such work began with the apparent
chance which seems to govern the lives of many. An opportunity came when
he was a mere lad, undecided as to future occupational preferences but anxious
to earn his own livelihood, to act as messenger in a telegraph office in San
Francisco and while in that position he learned the art of telegraphy, making
such praiseworthy advancement that he determined to follow the occupation as a
permanent source of income. Nor has he had reason to regret the decision
made in early life, for he has proved efficient and capable as an operator and
has risen by successive steps to the management of the Postal Telegraph and
Cable Company at Sacramento.
The childhood of Jeremiah K. Beede was passed uneventfully in the city of Newburgh, N. Y., where he was born January 13, 1868, and where he passed many happy days in becoming familiar
with the attractive environment of Orange county and the Hudson river.
Attendance at school was not neglected and he made satisfactory progress in his
studies. During 1881 he came to California with his parents, Napoleon and Sarah (King) Beede, and settled with them in San Francisco, where for the next two years he studied in the public
schools. The necessity of self-support caused him to relinquish his
studies at the age of thirteen years, when he engaged as a messenger with the
Western Union Telegraph Company of San Francisco. After four years in the one position he entered the
employ of the Oregon Railway and Navigation Company as an operator, remaining
with them from 1887 until 1889. During July of the latter year he came to
Sacramento as operator for the Postal Telegraph and Cable
Company. Such was his efficiency and capability that at the expiration of
six months he assumed the management of the office, which he has since filled
to the satisfaction of all concerned. For some years he has been an
interested member of the National Union, and Tehama Lodge, No. 3, F. & A.
M., also Sacramento Chapter No. 3, R. A. M. At the time of his removal to
Sacramento he was unmarried, and two years later he established a
home in this city, choosing as his wife Miss Hester Dashiell,
a native of Dixon, Solano county, by whom he has
two children, Bennen King and David Leonard.
Transcribed by Sally Kaleta.
Source: Willis,
William L., History of Sacramento
County, California, Pages 653-654. Historic Record Company, Los Angeles, CA. 1913.
© 2006 Sally Kaleta.