HomeMy WebLinkAboutApril 2018 SLOWhatHistory of SLO: Pioneers’ Story
WitH JOSePH CarOtenuti, City HiStOrian/arCHiviSt
SLO Pioneers 8
William Lemuel Beebee
Last month, we had a chance to talk with Samuel Adams
Pollard on his journey to San Luis Obispo by 1849 with
our guest, William Lemuel Beebee. Let start by welcoming
him and asking about his unusual middle name.
“First, thank you for inviting me. As for my middle name,
it is Hebrew for “devoted to God.” My parents, I guess,
had high hopes for my moral growth.”
Thank you. Now, will you please tell us a bit about your
early years?
“Certainly, I was born in 1829 in Oswego, New York…
the year a branch of the Erie Canal came to the town and
the small community boomed. As a merchant, my father
benefitted from the economic growth. The Beebees have a
long-standing interest in financial matters. A half-brother
of his, Samuel J. Beebee, is a founder of what became the
New York Merchant’s Exchange.
We moved to Ohio and when my father died – I was only
six – my mother, brother and sister and I moved to New
York to live with her parents. I stayed there until I was 14.”
Is that when you left for California?
“Oh, no, no, no. I don’t remember if I had even heard
of California at the time! I left home for Philadelphia to
begin an apprenticeship. In those day, a young man was
expected to seek his future through learning a profession
or trade from more experienced men. My first steps to the
west began two years later.
My uncle knew – I was never sure how – William G.
Morehouse who President Polk appointed as consul
to Valparaiso, Chili. I was young and ready for any
adventure. My uncle agreed to pay my expenses and
so late in 1846, we set sail from Baltimore on what
became a nine-month trip to Monterey.
The sea voyage was in itself a terrifying experience.
We hit a terrific storm off the coast near Bermuda.
After six days of agony, the decision was made to
switch ships and not continue around Cape Horn.
Consul Morehouse was traveling with his wife and
child. I think they were a large part of the decision to
cross through Panama between the two great oceans.
Another passenger I knew, Henry D. Cook, I’m sure
had a great deal to say as well. He will eventually
become Governor of Washington, the nation’s capital,
under President Grant. However, he was a help to me
once we arrived in California…but I’m getting ahead
of myself.”
Did you ever reach Valparaiso?
“Oh, yes. I spent months there but it seems once I left
the more orderly life of the east coast, I couldn’t get
enough adventure in my life. I decided I needed to go
to California.”
Looking forward to the story but for now, we’ve run
out of time. Thank you.
Contact: jacarotenuti@gmail.com
Visit: www.joefromslo.com 04/2018