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Transcribed from "An Illustrated History of The Big Bend Country, embracing
Lincoln, Douglas, Adams and Franklin counties, State of Washington",
published by Western Historical Publishing Co., 1904.
J. N. JASPER BEAN is certainly
to be commended for the wisdom and thrift that has given him his real estate
in Lincoln county. He resides about four miles west from Wilbur and
owns two thousand acres of excellent wheat land. The estate is well
supplied with commodious and substantial buildings and improved in a becoming
manner.
Our subject was born in McDonough county,
Illinois, on April 20, 1857, being the son of Marvel and Amelia (White)
Bean, natives of Illinois. They are very wealthy and prominent people
in their section of Illinois. Jasper was educated in Colchester in
his native state and had the misfortune of losing his mother while an infant.
After his school days were finished, he began farming in Illinois and remained
at the same until 1883. In that year, he sold his place and came
to his present location, taking a homestead as the nucleus of his present
fine estate. Since that time he has labored here with crowning success
as mentioned above. In addition to that, Mr. Bean has won the esteem
and confidence of all who know his uprightness and excellent qualities.
On February 14, 1881, Mr. Bean married Miss
Francina, the daughter of William and Katherine (Stookey) Lion, wealthy
and prosperous citizens of Illinois, where also they were born. Mrs.
Bean has the following brothers and sisters, Haskel, Harley, Ira, Robert,
Lester, Charles, Laura Cramer, Lella Brown, Maranda and Pearl. Mr.
Bean has three brothers, Marion, Joseph, Robert, and one sister, Ethel.
To Mr. and Mrs. Bean have been born the following children: Ray, Roy W.,
Ethel, Grace, Ina May, and Blanche V.
Mr. and Mrs. Bean had their full share of
the strenuousness needed to endure and brave the life of the pioneer.
They drove to their claims with two yoke of oxen, carrying their provision
from Cheney, which town afterward became their trading point, and is distant
eighty-five miles. For five years they hauled all the water needed
on the farm, a distance of five miles, in barrels. The squirrels
were their enemies and drove many of the settlers away from the county.
For three years Mr. Bean lived with his family in a log cabin twelve feet
square, with dirt floor, and thatched roof. Despite all these hardships
they persevered and have become leading and wealthy people of the country.
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