Bucks County PA Archives Biographies.....Beans, Silas H.
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File contributed for use in USGenWeb Archives by:
Joe Patterson, Patricia Bastik & Susan Walters Dec 2009

Source: History of Bucks County, Pennsylvania; edited by 
J.H. Battle; A. Warner & Co.; 1887
Buckingham Township


SILAS H. BEANS merchant, P.O. Mechanicsville, was born in 
Buckingham township August 19, 1830, and is a son of Col. 
William and Mary C. (Thornton) Beans, natives of Bucks 
county.  The ancestors of this family came from Wales and 
were among the first settlers of the county.  Mr. Bean's 
great-grandfather, William, was born in Southampton township 
and came to Buckingham township before his marriage and made 
a settlement, and Joshua Beans still owns the homestead.  
The grandfather, Joshua, was a farmer all his life and a 
resident of Buckingham township.  He was in his 91st year at 
the time of his death.  Our subject's father was also a 
farmer by occupation and was colonel of the state militia.  
He was always known as Col. Beans.  He served as captain, 
major, and colonel.  He was the father of three children by 
his first wife:  two are living:  Silas H. and Elizabeth, 
wife of Moses Palmer.  He had four children by his second 
wife, two of whom are living:  Joseph K. and Ellen T.  He 
died in 1861.  Silas H. was reared as a farmer and has 
followed that occupation for the most of his life.  In 1853 
he was elected to the legislature and served one term.  In 
1858 he engaged in merchandising at Mechanics' Valley, where 
he remained three years.  He was then engaged in farming 
from 1861 to 1873, in the meantime buying the home farm.  In 
1873 he engaged in the mercantile business at Greenville, 
where he remained three years.  In 1866 and 1867 he was 
revenue assessor.  In 1875 he was elected recorder of the 
county and served one term of three years.  After the 
expiration of his term of office he moved back to the farm, 
where he remained until the spring of 1886, when he was 
appointed postmaster at Mechanicsville and took possession 
April 1st. This is one of the best fourth-class offices in 
the state.  He at the same time engaged in the mercantile 
business, which he still carries on. He carries a general 
class of merchandise.  He has held several minor offices of 
the county and township.  He was married March 24, 1859, to 
Mary P. Livezey, by whom he had eight children, six of whom 
are living:  Harry R., born August 8, 1862; William T., born 
September 21, 1864; Emma L., born July 29, 1867, wife of 
Wesley W. Naylor; Albert, born September 9, 1869; Carrie H., 
born November 2, 1872; and Mary P., born August 6, 1878.  
The ones deceased were Rutledge T., born February 24, 1860, 
and George R., born May 1, 1875.  His wife died October 16, 
1878, and he was again married, April 14, 1880, to Mary E., 
daughter of George and Rachel P. Snyder, of Philadelphia.  
Mrs. Beans is a member of the Lutheran church of 
Philadelphia.  Mr. Beans is a past master of the Masonic 
lodge.  He has been a member of this lodge since 1855.  He 
is a member of the Independent Order of Odd Fellows.