Sutter County
Biographies
THOMAS E. BEVAN
In the annals of Yuba county the name of Thomas E. Bevan, of Marysville, who is
now serving his sixteenth consecutive year in a public capacity, occupies a
place of prominence. Energetic, capable and eminently trustworthy, he has proved
himself a most efficient and conscientious public official, and wherever known
is respected and esteemed. A son of Edward Bevan, he was born January 30, 1854,
in Clayville, Oneida county, N. Y.
A native of Wales, Edward Bevan was
born April 3, 1828, on his father’s home farm. After learning the blacksmith’s
trade he immigrated to the United States, locating in Clayville,
N. Y., where he engaged in blacksmithing in company with his brother. Coming by
way of the Isthmus of Panama to California in 1861, he settled in Nicolaus, Sutter county, where he
followed his trade for twelve years. Removing to Wheatland, Yuba county, in 1873, he formed a partnership with his son,
Thomas E., and carried on blacksmithing with good success until about three
months prior to his death, when he sold out his business. He died July 1, 1891,
aged sixty-three years. He was a man of sterling worth, much respected for his
many fine qualities, and served for some time as one of the board of trustees
of Wheatland. He was a member of the Independent Order of Odd Fellows. His
marriage united him with Phoebe Jones, who was born February 24, 1837, in
Remsen, N. Y., a daughter of Richard Jones. She died in Nicolaus,
Cal., March 4, 1866, aged twenty-nine years. Her father was born in Wales,
immigrated to New York State, and there married Jane Charles, and subsequently
remove to Illinois, settling on a farm near Springfield. Of the union of Edward
and Phoebe Bevan, three children were born, namely: Thomas E.; Charles E., who
died in Wheatland, Cal., April 24, 1878; and Nellie Ann, who died in New York
state in 1879.
When a lad of eight years Thomas E.
Bevan came with his mother to California, sailing from New York to Aspinwall crossing the isthmus by rail, and at Panama
taking passage on the Golden Gate on what proved to be her last voyage, she
having been burned when but one day out of San Francisco harbor, on her return
trip to Panama. Arriving in San Francisco March 4, 1862, he and his mother
joined the head of the household in Nicolaus on March
7, and there he completed his common school education. Having a natural
aptitude for mechanical pursuits, Thomas became familiar with blacksmith work
when a boy, and at the age of fourteen years entered his father’s shop and began
learning the trade. December 3, 1873, removing to Wheatland, he became a member
of the firm of Bevan & Son & Swift, and continued the partnership two
years. Entering Heald’s Business College in 1875, he completed the course, and
after his graduation returned to Wheatland. At once securing a position as
bookkeeper with Toll Brothers, lumber dealers, Mr. Bevan remained with them
until November 12, 1887, when they sold out. Embarking then in the agricultural
implement business in Wheatland, he continued in it two years. January 7, 1889,
Mr. Bevan was appointed under sheriff, and served for four years with the late
J. A. Saul. Being then appointed deputy county assessor, and was elected, for a
term of four years, by a majority of nine hundred and twenty-three, taking the
oath of office in January, 1895. In 1898, he was re-elected by a majority of
six hundred and twenty-three, and in 1902 was honored with a re-election, his
majority being seven hundred and twenty-three. In this capacity Mr. Bevan has
shown marked ability, performing the duties connected with the office in a most
thorough and creditable manner.
In Wheatland, Cal., Mr. Bevan
married Mary Cameron Manzey, who was born in
Missouri, and came to California in 1878. Their union has been blessed by the
birth of three children, namely: Phoebe, Elinor and
Caroline. Fraternally Mr. Bevan was made a Mason in Nicolaus
Lodge No. 129, with which he is still identified; and is a member of Washington
Chapter No. 13, R. A. M., of Marysville; Marysville Commandery No. 7, K. T.;
Wheatland Lodge No. 28, Order of the Eastern Star; Sutter Lodge No. 100, I. O.
O. F.; Marysville Encampment No. 6; Woodmen of the World No. 185; Empire Lodge
No. 96, Fraternal Brotherhood; Court Pride of Yuba No. 34, Foresters of America
and the Turn Verein. Politically he is a stanch
adherent of the Republican party, and an ex-member of
the county central committee.
Transcribed
By: Cecelia M. Setty.
Source: "History
of the State of California and Biographical Record of the Sacramento
Valley, Cal.," J.
M. Guinn, Pages 569-570. The Chapman Publishing Company, Chicago,
1906.
© 2017 Cecelia M. Setty.
Golden
Nugget Library's Sutter County Biographies