Cumberland County, Maine - Thomas P. Beals ********************************************************************** USGENWEB ARCHIVES NOTICE: These electronic pages may NOT be reproduced in any format for profit or presentation by any other organization or persons. Persons or organizations desiring to use this material, must obtain the written consent of the contributor, or the legal representative of the submitter, and contact the listed USGenWeb archivist with proof of this consent. The submitter has given permission to the USGenWeb Archives to store the file permanently for free access. http://www.rootsweb.com/~usgenweb This copy contributed for use in the USGenWeb Archives by: C. Wendland SilverDrusilla@aol.com Copyright © 2005 by C. Wendland Caitlin's Gold Award Project, Girl Scouts USA, Rio Grande Girl Scout Council, El Paso, Texas ********************************************************************** Biography Thomas P. Beals Biographical Review Cumberland County, Maine Boston Biographical Review Publishing Company 1896 Page 488-489 Thomas P. Beals, President of the Thomas P. Beals Company of Portland, was born in Wiscasset, Me., March 24, 1833, son of William and Hannah (Porter) Beals. His father was Sheriff of Lincoln County and proprietor (if the Wiscasset House. He and his wife had nine children, but three of whom are now living, namely Mrs. Mary C. Gould, of Lynn, Mass.; Mrs. H. B. Dennison, whose husband is ex- president of the Dennison Tag Manufactory of Boston; and Thomas P.,whose name appears at the head of this sketch. Thomas P. Beals, after completing his school education in the academy at Wiscasset, came to Portland in 1848, at the age of fifteen,to work for Walter Corey & Co. as an apprentice to the furniture business. He remained with that firm until 1861, when, joining the ranks of the nation's defenders, he enlisted as a private in the Seventh Regiment, Maine Volunteer Infantry. Being soon promoted to the rank of Sergeant, he filled that position for a year, when he was discharged for disability, and returned home. Six months subsequently, he obtained an appointment upon the Portland police force, where he remained until the spring of 1864, when he again enlisted, this time in the Thirty-second Maine Regiment, as First Sergeant. He was promoted successively to the ranks of First Lieutenant and Captain. He took part in seven battles - North-Anna River, Cold Harbor, Tolopotomy Creek, Petersburg, Poplar Grove Church, Hatch's Run, and at the capture of Petersburg, when he was wounded while leading a charge. He came home as a member of the Thirty-first Regiment, with which the Thirty-second, having lost greatly in numbers, had been consolidated. At Petersburg Captain Beals secured the muster-roll of the Confederate regiment which had occupied Fort Mahone, a relic which, framed, now adorns his office. In August, 1865, he was reappointed on the police force, and later became Deputy Sheriff and Crier of the Courts in Cumberland County. The year 1867 was a momentous one in Mr.Beals's career, as he then, having resigned his position as Deputy Sheriff,embarked in his present business, in which he has been so prosperous. His first shop was on Congress Street, on the site of the present R. C. Cavanaugh School; and he began with a small force of workmen. He subsequently removed to Federal Street, and thence to the corner of Middle and Franklin Streets. His products were then largely wrought by hand process; but year by year he made improvements, and increased his facilities for executing a better class of work. In 1871 he admitted Joseph T. Darling to partnership, the style of the firm for the two following years being Thomas P. Beals & Co. Mr. Beals then continued the business alone for a while, first on Kennebec Street and later on Exchange Street, returning finally to his present location on Market Street. In 1889 Mr. Beals's son, Fred H., was admitted to partnership, the firm name again becoming Thomas P: Beals & Co.; and with the change a new impetus was given to the business. About this time they purchased a building on Newbury Street, to which they have since been compelled to make additions. In February, 1893, the company was incorporated with Thomas P. Beals as President, Fred H. Beals as Secretary and Treasurer, and Sewall C. Ripley Superintendent. The business by this time had assumed large proportions, and was, as it is today, one of the oldest,largest,and best equipped manufacturing jobbing houses in New England. The Portland factories now cover over two acres of floor space. They confine themselves strictly to jobbing and export business, and make a specialty of low-price oak, ash, and birch chamber sets, bedsteads, woven wire spring mattresses, wood and cane seat chairs, iron bedsteads, and nearly everything in common furniture for which there is a demand. Every article in their line, which is called for in any town or city throughout the New England States, New York State, and as far south as Florida, can be produced at short notice in the best style of workmanship, and at prices that hold and increase their trade. The company employs from forty to seventy-five skilled workmen; and,as far as possible,Portland men are employed throughout the manufactory. During the past year a number of changes and valuable and radical improvements have been made in the plant, which have resulted in great advantages with respect to variety of patterns, particularly of chamber sets and chairs, a convincing proof to the trade that the firm is thoroughly "up-to-date." In their commodious sample rooms is exhibited a fine display of the latest and best style of goods, to inspect which the trade has a cordial standing invitation. The weekly pay roll, five hundred to eight hundred dollars, is an item of interest to the industrious wage earners who are favored with steady employment throughout the year. Mr. Beals's fraternal connections are with the Maine Lodge, Independent Order of Odd Fellows; Eastern Star Encampment, Independent Order of Odd Fellows; the Maine Charitable Mechanic Association; Bosworth Post, Grand Army of the Republic; the Loyal Legion; and the Veteran Firemen's Association. Mr. Beals was first married to Maria F. Simonton, a daughter of James Simonton, and by her he had two sons -Frederick H., now in business with his father; and Charles T., who died in 1889. The mother of these children died in 1872. His second wife was Celia A. Smith, of Boston, a daughter of Jacob and Maria Smith, of Exeter, N. H. She passed away in 1889. Mr. Beals subsequently married Adelaide M. Bibber, of Portland, a daughter of Captain Bibber, of Brunswick, Me. Mr. Beal is a liberal in religious belief. He resides with his family at 517 New Cumberland Street, Portland.