1903 - BEELMAN REUNIONS - 1975

The first Beelman reunion was held at the home of Daniel Beelman on Route 98, south of Plymouth, Ohio, in August, 1903.

At that time, we lived at the Royal Hotel on the public square in Bucyrus, Ohio

Harry (Bucky) and Shannon Beelman were not married, but Lydia Ott and Laura Roelle went with us to the first reunion.

There were no automobiles to rent for travel, so we rented a team of horses with a buggy that seated nine people. Shannon, Bucky, Lydia, Laura, my mother Lela, Cecile (age5) and I, (age 4) went together. My father could no go because he was obliged to operate the hotel.

We left about five in the morning and arrived at Daniel Beelman's home about 10 a.m.

The roads were very rough with stone in one lane and dirt on the other lane, an we could not drive the horses very fast. They merely walked most of the way. I recall that we were bothered by horse flies, which the horses did not like.

After we had finished our lunch, a professional photographer had the 64 people assemble at the front porch for the picture, which now apprears in the Beelman Genealogy. * personal note from Jenny Vermillion-I recall seeing a picture with several people on a porch but it does not appear in the copies of the Beelman Genealogy's that were distributed in 1970, which is what I have. I do not know what has happened to the picture.

Before dark, we started back home. It was dark before we arrived and we slept part of the way, since we were tired after a long and busy day.

I recall that everyone took more food than could be used. Consequently, we often brought more food home than we had taken. The ida was to taste the food that the other people had prepared.

The second reunion was held in August, 1904, at the home of Elmer Beelman, in Willard, Ohio.

We again rented a buggy and the same procedure was followed in out travel, only the trip took longer since we went more miles.

I attended most of the following reunions until I was married and moved to Cincinnati.

As I recall, only on reunion was held in Bucyrus, at the home of Shannon Beelman, south of the city, on the Marion Road, about 1908. Shannon and Lela did not farm, but they raised chickens and dogs.

In recent years, most of the reunions have been held in the Willard Park, which seems to be the most convenient location for the families and is only a mile from the homestead of Joseph H. Beelman, on Route 224.

Several weeks ago, we called Jean and Ed Stombaugh at their home and it was suggested that we ask Letha Goodrich, Fay Berk, and Laura Fink, to write their memories of the Beelman reunions, because they have attended about all of them throughout the 72 years.

Jean indicated that she only has the minutes of the reunions since 1947. Perhaps Letha, Fay, and Laura could recall where the reunions were held, prior to that time. I think this information should be put in the records for the future members of the family.

My grandfather, George T. Beelman, lived with us for several years before he died in 1932, (age 85). I would hear him and my mother, Lela Beelman Roelle, talk about the members of the family, which was most interesting.

Prior to Harry T. (Bucky) Beelman's death in 1951, we decided to prepare a Beelman Genealogy, so we asked the decendents of Joseph and Eliza (Moore) Beelman, to submit the pertinent information regarding the members of their families, which was finally compiled in 1954.

Jean Stombaugh revised the genealogy and brought it up to date in 1970. She has copies for anyone who would like to have one.

In the near future, I propose to submit this genealogy to the Ohio Historical Society in Columbus, Ohio.

The wording of this letter appears to be a letter sent out to several family members but I cannot say for sure. I find this account particularly interesting since it is recalled so very long ago. Please submit your personal recollections of our family for future generations to look fondly upon!