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HERBERT C. BEACH. A striking example of self-made manhood that is worthy of the most persistent and conscientious emulation, Herbert C. Beach, one of the leading business men of Christopher, Illinois, has marked his career with unceasing toil and honorable occupation and transactions, and from a lad wholly unknown his rise has incessantly been in the ascendancy. He is a native of this state and was born in Ogle county, July 13, 1877, a son of Henry F. and Margaret A. (Herbert) Beach.
The father of Mr. Beach was born in the state of New York, and as a young man came to Ogle county, Illinois, but as he died when Herbert C. was a lad of five years little is known of him except that he was a blacksmith by occupation and came of an honorable family. He married Margaret Herbert, daughter of John C. Herbert, a native of North Carolina, who moved to Illinois in young manhood, reared a family, and here followed his trade until the time of his death, in 1887. Several of Mrs. Beach's brothers served in the Federal army during the Civil war.
Herbert C. Beach was given but little chance to secure an education, as he was early sent out to work to assist in supporting the family. When he could find employment he worked at whatever occupation presented itself, and finally secured a position in a general store, and continued to work as a clerk for fourteen years. His mother had reared him to habits of industry and economy, and through the long years that he worked in subordinate positions he carefully saved his earning with the idea of some day owning a business of his own, and his ambitions were realized in 1904, when he came to Christopher and engaged in the real estate and insurance business. Constant attention to business, faithful study of realty values, conscientious effort to conduct his dealings in an absolutely legitimate manner, and withal a pleasing personality that has made him friends wherever he has found himself combined to make Mr. Beach's venture an unqualified success, and he stands today among the substantial men of his community. His faith in the future of Christopher has been unbounded and he has invested largely in valuable real estate and building property. Since coming here he has purchased many residences, has done his share in promoting the upbuilding of the city by erecting no less than twenty-eight structures, and is now the
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owner of twelve buildings. He is district agent for the Central Life Insurance Company of Ottawa, Illinois, one of the most solid and substantial companies of the state, and has enlarged their business to a great extent during the past few years. With others he is engaged in advancing the interests of his adopted city, and is secretary of the Christopher Building and Loan Association.
On September 1, 1907, Mr. Beach was married to Ruby Randall, daughter of W. J. Randall, a native of Connecticut. Mr. and Mrs. Beach are consistent members of the Christian church, and he teaches one of the largest Sunday-school classes for men in Southern Illinois, comprising ninety-five members. Fraternally Mr. Beach is connected with the Modern Woodmen of America and the Odd Fellows, has been through all the chairs in the latter organization, and at present is deputy of Tyron Lodge, No. 653, at Christopher. In political matters he is a Republican, with Prohibition leanings, and during the recent wave of temperance which swept over Illinois he did his full share in this great reform movement. As a sturdy, enterprising and up-to-date citizen, Mr. Beach has accomplished an incomprehensible amount of good for the city of Christopher. His aggressiveness, coupled with his energy and prolific mind; his honesty as an example and precept; his integrity, and his capability as a man of opinions, all have combined to make him a valuable citizen, and one who is fully entitled to the respect and esteem in which he is universally held.