BIO: David M. BEALMAN, Huntingdon County, PA Contributed for use in the USGenWeb Archives by JO Copyright 2008. All rights reserved. http://www.usgwarchives.net/copyright.htm http://www.usgwarchives.net/pa/pafiles.htm ********************************************************** __________________________________________________________________ Commemorative Biographical Encyclopedia of the Juniata Valley: Comprising the Counties of Huntingdon, Mifflin, Juniata and Perry, Pennsylvania, Containing Sketches of Prominent and Representative Citizens and Many of the Early Settlers. Chambersburg, Pa.: J. M. Runk & Co., 1897, page 169. __________________________________________________________________ DAVID M. BEALMAN, Shade Gap, Huntingdon county, Pa., was born November 30, 1856, near the town of Dry Run, Franklin county, Pa., son of Peter C. and Sarah A. (Devinney) Bealman. The name Bealman is of German derivation, and it is thought that the grandfather of David M. was the first of the family to emigrate to America. If not, then he was born in Strasburg, Franklin county, of which place he was a resident. He married Margaret Coons, of Dry Run, and afterwards removed to the place, where they both died. Their son, Peter C. Bealman, was born in Dry Run, in 1832, and grew up in or near that town; the business of his life has been farming, and on his farm he still resides. In 1863, in the stirring days of war, he enlisted in Company K, Eighty-second Pennsylvania Volunteers, and served until the close of the war. His children are: Elizabeth (Mrs. Sylvester Pyles), Rockhill, Huntingdon county; David M.; Agnes (Mrs. A. S. Locke), died in Shade Gap in 1893; Martha A. (Mrs. Edward Hockenberry), Spring Run, Franklin county; and two or three infants that died. The mother died in 1892. Until about eighteen years of age, David M. Bealman attended the common schools. He became practically acquainted with agricultural business, by helping in the work of his father's farm during his vacations. He remained at home, working for his father, until 1879, the year of his marriage, when he was twenty-three years old. He then resided four years in Fannettsburg, Franklin county, engaged in driving stage and carrying the mail between the town and Concord. From 1883 to 1890, Mr. Bealman resided at Dry Run, and was employed by the month on farms, except that during three years of that time he worked as a miner in the Shade valley mountain mines, for the Rock Hill Iron and Coal Co. In 1890, he became station and express agent for the Shade Gap branch of the East Broad Top E. E., and has since held that position, proving himself a worthy and reliable official. Mr. Bealman is a decided Republican, and does much for the success of his party. He is a charter member of the P. O. S. of A. in Shade Gap, instituted in 1890, of which lodge he has always been secretary. David M. Bealman was married in 1879, at Dry Run, to Harriet N., daughter of Benjamin and Mary (Goshorn) Stitt, a native of Huntingdon county. They have had these children: Cora A., deceased; Dennie C.; John Orange, deceased; Sarah, died in infancy; and Clay, deceased. Mr. Bealman is a member of the Presbyterian church.