The map shows Abram's residences (excluding his trip to California during the 1860s).
The following article is from History of Kankakee County, Illinois, 1906, pp.809-810
BEEDLE, ABRAM COLLINS.--Distinguished not only as a pioneer of Kankakee county, but as a man of sterling worth and integrity, Abram C. Beedle is well deserving of special mention in this historical work. He first came to this county in October, 1837, and with the exception of two years spent in the gold fields of California has made his home in this county ever since, having resided upon his present farm for the past sixty-two years. He was born in Fountain county, Ind., February 22, 1828. His grandparents, Joseph and Mary (Meeks) Beedle, were among the very early pioneers of Ohio, making that state their home until 1824, which year marked their advent into Fountain county, Ind., where the remainder of their lives was passed. While living in Ohio they accumulated considerable means, at one time owning about twelve hundred acres of choice land lying along the Miami river. Their family included eleven children. as follows: Samuel, Jacob, Solomon, Joseph, Abram C., Simeon, Isaac, Aaron, Phoebe, Mary and Eliza.
The fifth child in the grandparents family was Abram C., the father of our subject, who was born June 15, 1791, in a block house near what is now the city of Dayton, his parents be obliged to take refuge there, as the Indians were exceedingly hostile at that time. He worked upon his father s farm in Miami county, Ohio, until reaching manhood, when he united in marriage with Nancy A. Riffle, who was born in that county March 7, 1794. Her father, Samuel Riffle, was one of the early pioneers of the state of Ohio, making that state his home until his death. In 1824, in company with his parents and other settlers, Abram C. Beedle settled in Fountain county, Ind., with his family, taking up government land near Newton, as did also the grandfather. After making his home there until October, 1837, the father removed by ox-team to what is now Kankakee county (then known as Will county), taking up a claim in what is now Ganeer township, but after residing there a few years he went to Joliet and later to Bloomington. Returning to Kankakee county in 1841 he at last settled on the farm which is now the home of his son and namesake, and here his death occurred, March 10, 1846. His noble service in the war of 1812 proved his valor, and all who knew him loved him for his many noble qualities. His widow survived him many years, passing away at the home of one of her sons in Madison county, Iowa, in 1878. The parental family comprised ten children, as follows: Hiram M., deceased; as are also Isaac, John R., Solomon, Mary E., and Elizabeth; Abram C., the subject of this sketch; Sarah, deceased; Rebecca J., a resident of Aberdeen, Wash.; and Louisa, deceased.
The early life of Abram C. Beedle was spent on his father's farm in Fountain county, Ind., and in October, 1837, when a boy of nine years, he accompanied his parents to Kankakee county, Ill., which has practically been his home ever since. In 1862 he varied the monotony of farm life, however, by a trip to the far west, leaving home January 6, in company with several others of like ambitions, for New York City. From here they went by boat to the Isthmus of Panama, and after walking the entire distance across the Isthmus again boarded a boat, which in due season landed them in California. Mr. Beedle did not meet with more than average success as a miner and in April, 1864, returned home by way of New York, content again to take up the peaceful pursuits of farm life. April 6, 1867, he was united in marriage with Miss Elizabeth Lamport, who was born in Woodstock, Canada West, November 26, 1834. She was a daughter of Benjamin and Mary (Force) Lamport, who in 1847 removed to Kankakee county, Ill., where the balance of their lives was spent. The family comprised ten children, as follows: Joanna, Ellzabeth, Joseph, Marilla, Henry, Thomas, Benjamln, Mary, Ellen and Edward.
After his marriage Mr. Beedle settled on the farm upon which he now resides, and where as has been previously stated his father settled as early as 1843. At one time Mr. Beedle owned three hundred and sixty acres in this county, which was devoted almost exclusively to cattle raising, a branch of agriculture in which he met with more than average success. Four children blessed the union of Mr. and Mrs. Beedle, as follows: Alma J., born January 18, 1858; Mary E., who was born September 16, 1859; Effa, who was born April 26, 1863, and died November 24, of the same year; and Annie B., who was born July 17, 1868. The wife and mother passed away September 13, 1896, leaving a void in the home where she had been the guiding star for so long. For several years prior to her death she had been a member of the Baptist church. Mr. Beedle is a man of high moral principles and success has come to him as the result of applying these same principles to the everyday duties of life. Politically he supports the republican party.
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