| Notes |
- William Henry Beagles
In writing of those men who have been closely identified with the interests of Napa county mention should be made of the Late W.H. Beagles, who, when a sturdy young man, left home and with friends undertook the trip across the plains. Born in Washington county, Tenn., January 16, 1832, when a young child he was taken by his parents to Indiana, where they settle and passed from earth, leaving this son an orphan at the age of seven years, at which time he went to make his home with his grandparents in Tennessee and later with a brother in Virginia. His schooling was obtained under difficulties, but he made the most of his opportunities. At an early age he had to become self-supporting and learned the trade of carpenter and cabinet maker, with a brother in Virginia. He remained in that state until 1851, when he went to Fulton, Callaway county, Mo., where he followed his trade of cabinet maker for one year.
The news Mr. Beagles received from those who were returning from California so interested him that he decided to cast in his lot with the western country and accordingly outfitted for the trip over desert and mountains. He rode a mule most of the way and drove a band of cattle. After a somewhat uneventful journey of five months the train arrived in this state and young Beagles went to the San Ramon valley in Contra Costa county and secured work as a ranch hand, and for the following seven years followed that occupation. In 1859 he had made enough money to permit of a visit to his old home place and the journey was made by way of Panama to Missouri. Shortly after his arrival there he was united in marriage, on January 25, 1860, and there he and his wife made their home for about four years, when they started overland for their home in the west. The trip was made with mules and asses and they also brought a band of horses, jacks and jenneys with them, selling most of them in Virginia City. Nev., at good prices. The journey was made in safety and they arrived in the fall of 1863. June 10 of the following year Mr. Beagles came to Napa valley and his association with the welfare of this section dates from that time. He at once began farming and for a time carried on operations on the Big Ranch road, the St. Helena road, and in 1871 the family settled four miles north of Napa, which place continued to be his home until his death, April 25, 1903. On this ranch Mr. Beagles made all of the improvements, planted trees for shade and also fruit trees. The ranch comprises one hundred and sixty-two acres and is devoted to general farming, twenty acres in prunes, fifty acres in alfalfa and the balance grain and pasture land. The beautiful row of shade trees that adorns the approach to the house was planted by the family.
In all matters that pertained to the development of Napa county Mr. Beagles was interested; never an office-seeker, yet he readily assisted those men and measures that he considered best for the general welfare of the citizens. He was a quiet, unostentatious man and made and retained friends wherever he went. He was a friend of the public school and served as a
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member of the board for some time. He lived by the Golden Rule and at his death the county lost a good citizen, and those who knew him best a warm friend, and his family a kind and loving husband and father.
Mrs. Amanda M. Beagles
In mentioning the women who have aided in the upbuilding of this western commonwealth the one whose name heads this article should not be forgotten. She came to California with her husband in 1963, crossing the plains with mules and wagon and located in Napa county the following year, and since that time has made the county her home. She was born in Fleming county, Ky., and is a descendant of an historic southern family. Her father, Isaac R. Cassity, was likewise a native of that county and his father, Peter Cassity, was a planter in Montgomery county, Ky., and served in the war of 1912. He married Mary Armstrong, whose father, Robert, was a native of Virginia and owner of the celebrated hog Springs in Tazewell county, that state. During the early settlement of Kentucky he moved there with his family, going by wagon and taking his herds of cattle, horse and mules. Purchasing thirteen thousand acres of land, he settled down to improve the same and make a home among the pioneer surrounding of that section. Part of the property is the present site of Mount Sterling, Ky.
On the maternal side Mrs. Beagles is also well connected, her mother, Joyce Davis, born in Montgomery county, Ky., being a daughter of Jesse Davis, who was a native of Virginia and who served two years in the Revolutionary war. His father owned the plantation adjoining that owned by George Washington, and the older members of the family were playmates of that illustrious general, the hero of the great struggle for independence.
The marriage of Amanda M. Cassity and William H. Beagles was celebrated in Missouri in 1860. Of this union the following children were born: William H., a furniture and carpet dealer in San Francisco; Lucy, wife of Henry Clark of Chico; Clara E., Mrs. W.A. Wakerley, of San Francisco; Sarah Amanda and Emily Florence, both at home; Mary E., wife of Henry Wolf, of San Francisco ; Joyce A., at home; Robert L., of Chico; and Donald H., residing on the home place. Charles D. and Walter are deceased. The latter was a graduate of Stanford University and died in 1905. The children have been reared by their mother and all have become useful in their various locations in business and society.
Since the death of Mr. Beagles, Mrs. Beagles has made her home at their old residence north of Napa, where she is surrounded with all the comforts made possible by their prosperity, all of which she has been an important factor in making possible. She takes great comfort in having her children about her and rejoices at their continued successes. She is wonderfully well preserved for one of her years and as one of the pioneer women of the state of California, gives with a liberal hand towards all worthy charities and believes in the advancement of all the interests of the county and state. She is a member of the Daughters of the American Revolution and is greatly loved and esteemed by all who know her for her many amiable and noble traits of character.
History of Solano and Napa counties, California, with biographical sketches of the leading men and women. Thomas Jefferson Gregory. Los Angeles, California, Historic Record Co., 1912. Pages 557-558.
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- W.H. Beagles Dead.
We was an old and highly respected citizen of Napa Valley.
W.H. Beagles, for many years a prominent citizen of Napa county, died about 5 o’clock Saturday evening at his home on the Big Ranch road. The cause of his death was paralysis, from which he had suffered for about a week.
Deceased was a native of Tennessee, where he was born January 16, 1832. He leaves a widow and the following children: Mrs. Henry Clark of Chico, Mrs. Henry Wolf of San Francisco, Wm.H. Beagles, Jr., of St. Joseph, Mo., Robt. Beagles of Vacaville, Misses Clara, Amanda, Joy, Florence, Walter and Donald Beagles of Napa.
Napa Journal, Napa, California. Friday, 26 April 1903. Page. 3.
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- MHR note: letter from Aletha Read - "Amanda married William Henry Beagles of Tennessee in January 1860 in Linn Co. MO. Grandfather Beagles had first gone to California in 1852, riding a mule. He worked on a ranch in San Ramon Valley, Contra Costa Co., and saved enough money to return to Missouri via the Panama Canal in 1854. They had two sons born to this union before coming to California in 1863. Grandmother drove a mule team while grandfather was ahead with the cattle, horses and mules. Their older son died enroute and was buried near where they crossed the Platte River. They first went to Contra Costa County, but grandmother wasn't pleased, so they moved on to Napa County in 1864, where their first daughter was born."
Family spelled their Cassity name as "Cassady".
10 children.
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1832 - 1903 (71 years)
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