Norman P. Beebe
March 9, 1878 – Dec. 27, 1945

Niles Daily Star, Thurs. December 27, 1945, page 1

Norman P. Beebe, 67, dies Early today at Home

Former Mayor of Niles, Prominent Agriculturist is Stricken Unexpectedly. 

A sudden heart attack early this morning claimed this life of Norman P. Beebe, 67, in his home at 533 Oak Street.

One of the city’s most prominent citizens, Mr. Beebe was a founding director of the First National Bank of Niles, a onetime mayor of the city and one of the State’s most diversified agriculturalist.A graduate of the law school of the University of Michgian, Mr. Beebe had been admitted to the bar but had never practiced law. In his own words, he found “farming more interesting.” 

Vice President of Bank

At the time of his death he was active as vice president of the Niles bank which he helped to found in 1933.

Often described as “Michigan’s most diversified muck farmer,” Mr. Beebe was born in Mendon, Mich. March 9, 1878, the son of a farmer. He spent his youth on the farm, then attended the University of Michigan where he was graduated in 1903.

Although he received his law degree, Mr. Beebe followed his own desires and those of his father and joined him in a farm venture east of Niles in 1905. His holding now include three farms totaling 2,468 acres which have been devoted largely to the growing of mint and vegetables. 

Active in Civic Affairs

In 1950, Mr. Beebe was honored as a master farmer by member of the Michigan Muck Farmers Assocaition.

For some time he was very active in community affaires, having served as an alderman from 1920 to 1924 as mayor in 1924 and 1925 and as president of the chamber of commerce in 1928 and 29.

Active in organizing the Niles Hospital association, Mr. Beebe was a director of that organization at the time of his death. He was instrumental in establishing the original hospital and gave much of his time toward promotion of the new building program.

Before the war, Mr. Beebe spend most of his winters traveling. His trips have taken him to 80 foreign countries where he exposed countless feet of motion picture film to preserve his experience.

 

Fled flames of War.

Mr. Beebe was traveling through China when the Japanese began invading the country. With his wife and daughter he narrowly escaped the city of Peking, just before that city was captured by the Japanese other trips took him to Africa where he was a member of the big game hunting expedition. In later years he traveled extensively in Mexico, photographing unknown and out of the way places in that country.

Mr. Beebe is survived by his wife, Georgia, whom he married in Ann Arbor, October 20, 1904; his mother, Mrs. Esther Beebe, Mendon; a daughter, Mrs. Wallace Coles, Niles; a brother, Clyde of Benton Harbor, and two grandchildren.

Hold Rites Saturday

Funeral services will be held Saturday at 2 p.m. at the First Presbyterian Church, the Rev. T. M. Greenhoe officiating. Burial will be in Silverbrook Cemetery.

He was an active member of the Presbyterian Church, the Niles rotary club, the Masonic Lodge, the Knights Templars and the Shriners lodge.

Niles Daily Star, December 28, 1945

Pallbearers were named today for the Norman P. Beebe funeral services which will be held Saturday at 2 p.m. in the First Presbyterian church.

Earl Warrell P.S. Faruhar, Fred Eaglesfield, L.S. Storms, Arthur Saathoff and Ralph Smith will conduct the body to its Silverbrook Cemetery burial site. Serving a honorary pallbearers will be William McKinney, W.F. Harrah, Harry Parker, William Saathoff, Wilber N. Burns, Floyd Wood and Thomas E. Cain Sr.

  The Rev. T.M. Greenhoe, pastor of the Niles Presbyterian Church will officiate at the rites for Mr. Beebe, who died suddenly in his home Thursday morning.

On of the most prominent citizens, Mr. Beebe served as mayor in 1924 and 1925 and was one of the founding directors of the first national Bank of Niles, of which he was vice-president at the time of his death.

Prior to services Saturday friends may call at the Kiger funeral Home.