The Town of Bedford Iowa is named after Thomas as well as Bedford Canyon and Bedford Wash in Riverside County California and Bedford Peak in the Santa Ana Mtn. range. It is confirmed that there is no headstone at the cemetery.
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Thomas Jefferson Bedford’s father was John Bedford; his mother was Elizabeth Howard Bedford. He was the second of four brothers: William Howard, Alexander Marshall, and John Coleman. He had two sisters Martha Page and Lucy Ann Bedford.
In 1830 the Bedfords moved to Mead County, Kentucky, about eight miles from Brandenburg. After the death of their parents, the Bedford children went to live with their aunt Elizabeth Bedford Russell and her husband Henry Russell in the old Bedford homestead near Bloomfield, Nelson County, Kentucky.
In about 1845 at the age of 17 he traveled west to Missouri, specifically to the area near where the town of Amazonia MO now lies on the Missouri river. His brother William had traveled to this location a couple of years prior and set up a store there which Thomas worked at when he arrived by Steamer via the Ohio river through St. Louis.
In 1848, Thomas Bedford went into Iowa from St. Joseph, MO to establish a small trading post at a site in or near the present limits of Bedford, Iowa. In his store, Thomas handled mail for the early settlers who were his customers and for the few traders and travelers who came his way. Although Thomas was not a regularly appointed postmaster, for a time he handled the mail addressed in care of "Bedford's Trading Post." This he did as an accommodation for his patrons long before the first U.S. post office was established. "Bedfords Store and Trading Post" became shortened to just "Bedford."
In October 1849 Thomas went to the gold region of California where he went into business with Nathan Able, a blacksmith, in Sacramento. In 1850 he returned from California and bought a store in St. Joseph, Missouri, which he sold in a couple of weeks for an increase of $2500. He married Martha A. Stewart, July 8, 1851, in the residence of William H. Bedford, St. Joseph, Missouri. With his brother, William H. Bedford, and their families Thomas left St. Joseph the second week in May 1852 on the wagon train of Elias H. Perry again bound for California.
He purchased a farm on the outskirts of Benicia, California, in the early 1850s. After selling the farm in 1858, he went into 1859 in the livery and feed business in Benicia. He's listed in the Census of 1860 as a Livery Stable Keeper.
On April 23, 1860, Thomas Bedford was the first rider to make the overland run of the Pony Express from Benicia (via Martinez) to Oakland.
In May 1861 moved with family to Carson City, Nevada Territory. In 1862, with Mark L. McDonald, built a toll road between Eagle Valley and Virginia City. In 1862 listed as a resident of Carson City, Nevada Territory, as a teamster on A.D. Treadway's Ranch located on the north side of Carson City. In 1863 Bedford & Levy, wholesale wines & liquors, listed on King near Carson, Carson City. On November 2, 1863, dissolved Co-partnership of Bedford & Levy. In 1864, as a cattleman living in Austin, paid taxes on slaughtered livestock. October 1865 found Thomas acting as Special Deputy to Sheriff of Carson City. In May 1866 he was thinking of running for sheriff in Carson City in the fall, however, the election returns for Ormsby County reported in the Territorial Enterprise, November 9, 1866, did not list Thomas Bedford. On February 11, 1868, a warrant in bankruptcy issued against the estate of Thomas J. Bedford.
In 1869 (age 43) he listed his occupation as Trader, living in Temescal Township, San Bernardino County, California. In February 1869, Thomas purchased, with William G. Wayman, the Butterfield Stage Station and its 160 acres near Temescal, California, from W.W. Rubottom for $3,500. In March 1869, Wayman sold his half of the Butterfield Stage property to Thomas Bedford for $1,750. In Census of 1870 (age 44) Thomas listed his occupation as Farmer living in San Salvador Township, San Bernardino County. San Bernardino Guardian reported a number times in 1871 Thomas Bedford's activity in County politics.
In August 1873, Thomas transferred his voter registration from San Bernardino County to Los Angeles County. Over the following years he listed his occupation variously as Stock Raiser, Cattle Dealer, Officer, City Jailer, Detective, and finally as retired in 1890.
In May 1896 (age 70), Thomas was admitted to Los Angeles County Hospital and Farm for "old age." He listed his occupation as Stockman. In March 1903, (age 80) he was admitted to Los Angeles County Farm for treatment of asthma. Thomas died September 26, 1906, (age 80) in Los Angeles County Hospital: Cause of death: Endocarditis. He is buried in Rosedale Cemetery, 1831 Washington, Los Angeles, California.
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Thomas Jefferson Bedford’s father was John Bedford; his mother was Elizabeth Howard Bedford. He was the second of four brothers: William Howard, Alexander Marshall, and John Coleman. He had two sisters Martha Page and Lucy Ann Bedford.
In 1830 the Bedfords moved to Mead County, Kentucky, about eight miles from Brandenburg. After the death of their parents, the Bedford children went to live with their aunt Elizabeth Bedford Russell and her husband Henry Russell in the old Bedford homestead near Bloomfield, Nelson County, Kentucky.
In about 1845 at the age of 17 he traveled west to Missouri, specifically to the area near where the town of Amazonia MO now lies on the Missouri river. His brother William had traveled to this location a couple of years prior and set up a store there which Thomas worked at when he arrived by Steamer via the Ohio river through St. Louis.
In 1848, Thomas Bedford went into Iowa from St. Joseph, MO to establish a small trading post at a site in or near the present limits of Bedford, Iowa. In his store, Thomas handled mail for the early settlers who were his customers and for the few traders and travelers who came his way. Although Thomas was not a regularly appointed postmaster, for a time he handled the mail addressed in care of "Bedford's Trading Post." This he did as an accommodation for his patrons long before the first U.S. post office was established. "Bedfords Store and Trading Post" became shortened to just "Bedford."
In October 1849 Thomas went to the gold region of California where he went into business with Nathan Able, a blacksmith, in Sacramento. In 1850 he returned from California and bought a store in St. Joseph, Missouri, which he sold in a couple of weeks for an increase of $2500. He married Martha A. Stewart, July 8, 1851, in the residence of William H. Bedford, St. Joseph, Missouri. With his brother, William H. Bedford, and their families Thomas left St. Joseph the second week in May 1852 on the wagon train of Elias H. Perry again bound for California.
He purchased a farm on the outskirts of Benicia, California, in the early 1850s. After selling the farm in 1858, he went into 1859 in the livery and feed business in Benicia. He's listed in the Census of 1860 as a Livery Stable Keeper.
On April 23, 1860, Thomas Bedford was the first rider to make the overland run of the Pony Express from Benicia (via Martinez) to Oakland.
In May 1861 moved with family to Carson City, Nevada Territory. In 1862, with Mark L. McDonald, built a toll road between Eagle Valley and Virginia City. In 1862 listed as a resident of Carson City, Nevada Territory, as a teamster on A.D. Treadway's Ranch located on the north side of Carson City. In 1863 Bedford & Levy, wholesale wines & liquors, listed on King near Carson, Carson City. On November 2, 1863, dissolved Co-partnership of Bedford & Levy. In 1864, as a cattleman living in Austin, paid taxes on slaughtered livestock. October 1865 found Thomas acting as Special Deputy to Sheriff of Carson City. In May 1866 he was thinking of running for sheriff in Carson City in the fall, however, the election returns for Ormsby County reported in the Territorial Enterprise, November 9, 1866, did not list Thomas Bedford. On February 11, 1868, a warrant in bankruptcy issued against the estate of Thomas J. Bedford.
In 1869 (age 43) he listed his occupation as Trader, living in Temescal Township, San Bernardino County, California. In February 1869, Thomas purchased, with William G. Wayman, the Butterfield Stage Station and its 160 acres near Temescal, California, from W.W. Rubottom for $3,500. In March 1869, Wayman sold his half of the Butterfield Stage property to Thomas Bedford for $1,750. In Census of 1870 (age 44) Thomas listed his occupation as Farmer living in San Salvador Township, San Bernardino County. San Bernardino Guardian reported a number times in 1871 Thomas Bedford's activity in County politics.
In August 1873, Thomas transferred his voter registration from San Bernardino County to Los Angeles County. Over the following years he listed his occupation variously as Stock Raiser, Cattle Dealer, Officer, City Jailer, Detective, and finally as retired in 1890.
In May 1896 (age 70), Thomas was admitted to Los Angeles County Hospital and Farm for "old age." He listed his occupation as Stockman. In March 1903, (age 80) he was admitted to Los Angeles County Farm for treatment of asthma. Thomas died September 26, 1906, (age 80) in Los Angeles County Hospital: Cause of death: Endocarditis. He is buried in Rosedale Cemetery, 1831 Washington, Los Angeles, California.
The Town of Bedford Iowa is named after Thomas as well as Bedford Canyon and Bedford Wash in Riverside County California and Bedford Peak in the Santa Ana Mtn. range. It is confirmed that there is no headstone at the cemetery.
--------------------------------------------------
Thomas Jefferson Bedford’s father was John Bedford; his mother was Elizabeth Howard Bedford. He was the second of four brothers: William Howard, Alexander Marshall, and John Coleman. He had two sisters Martha Page and Lucy Ann Bedford.
In 1830 the Bedfords moved to Mead County, Kentucky, about eight miles from Brandenburg. After the death of their parents, the Bedford children went to live with their aunt Elizabeth Bedford Russell and her husband Henry Russell in the old Bedford homestead near Bloomfield, Nelson County, Kentucky.
In about 1845 at the age of 17 he traveled west to Missouri, specifically to the area near where the town of Amazonia MO now lies on the Missouri river. His brother William had traveled to this location a couple of years prior and set up a store there which Thomas worked at when he arrived by Steamer via the Ohio river through St. Louis.
In 1848, Thomas Bedford went into Iowa from St. Joseph, MO to establish a small trading post at a site in or near the present limits of Bedford, Iowa. In his store, Thomas handled mail for the early settlers who were his customers and for the few traders and travelers who came his way. Although Thomas was not a regularly appointed postmaster, for a time he handled the mail addressed in care of "Bedford's Trading Post." This he did as an accommodation for his patrons long before the first U.S. post office was established. "Bedfords Store and Trading Post" became shortened to just "Bedford."
In October 1849 Thomas went to the gold region of California where he went into business with Nathan Able, a blacksmith, in Sacramento. In 1850 he returned from California and bought a store in St. Joseph, Missouri, which he sold in a couple of weeks for an increase of $2500. He married Martha A. Stewart, July 8, 1851, in the residence of William H. Bedford, St. Joseph, Missouri. With his brother, William H. Bedford, and their families Thomas left St. Joseph the second week in May 1852 on the wagon train of Elias H. Perry again bound for California.
He purchased a farm on the outskirts of Benicia, California, in the early 1850s. After selling the farm in 1858, he went into 1859 in the livery and feed business in Benicia. He's listed in the Census of 1860 as a Livery Stable Keeper.
On April 23, 1860, Thomas Bedford was the first rider to make the overland run of the Pony Express from Benicia (via Martinez) to Oakland.
In May 1861 moved with family to Carson City, Nevada Territory. In 1862, with Mark L. McDonald, built a toll road between Eagle Valley and Virginia City. In 1862 listed as a resident of Carson City, Nevada Territory, as a teamster on A.D. Treadway's Ranch located on the north side of Carson City. In 1863 Bedford & Levy, wholesale wines & liquors, listed on King near Carson, Carson City. On November 2, 1863, dissolved Co-partnership of Bedford & Levy. In 1864, as a cattleman living in Austin, paid taxes on slaughtered livestock. October 1865 found Thomas acting as Special Deputy to Sheriff of Carson City. In May 1866 he was thinking of running for sheriff in Carson City in the fall, however, the election returns for Ormsby County reported in the Territorial Enterprise, November 9, 1866, did not list Thomas Bedford. On February 11, 1868, a warrant in bankruptcy issued against the estate of Thomas J. Bedford.
In 1869 (age 43) he listed his occupation as Trader, living in Temescal Township, San Bernardino County, California. In February 1869, Thomas purchased, with William G. Wayman, the Butterfield Stage Station and its 160 acres near Temescal, California, from W.W. Rubottom for $3,500. In March 1869, Wayman sold his half of the Butterfield Stage property to Thomas Bedford for $1,750. In Census of 1870 (age 44) Thomas listed his occupation as Farmer living in San Salvador Township, San Bernardino County. San Bernardino Guardian reported a number times in 1871 Thomas Bedford's activity in County politics.
In August 1873, Thomas transferred his voter registration from San Bernardino County to Los Angeles County. Over the following years he listed his occupation variously as Stock Raiser, Cattle Dealer, Officer, City Jailer, Detective, and finally as retired in 1890.
In May 1896 (age 70), Thomas was admitted to Los Angeles County Hospital and Farm for "old age." He listed his occupation as Stockman. In March 1903, (age 80) he was admitted to Los Angeles County Farm for treatment of asthma. Thomas died September 26, 1906, (age 80) in Los Angeles County Hospital: Cause of death: Endocarditis. He is buried in Rosedale Cemetery, 1831 Washington, Los Angeles, California.
--------------------------------------------------
Thomas Jefferson Bedford’s father was John Bedford; his mother was Elizabeth Howard Bedford. He was the second of four brothers: William Howard, Alexander Marshall, and John Coleman. He had two sisters Martha Page and Lucy Ann Bedford.
In 1830 the Bedfords moved to Mead County, Kentucky, about eight miles from Brandenburg. After the death of their parents, the Bedford children went to live with their aunt Elizabeth Bedford Russell and her husband Henry Russell in the old Bedford homestead near Bloomfield, Nelson County, Kentucky.
In about 1845 at the age of 17 he traveled west to Missouri, specifically to the area near where the town of Amazonia MO now lies on the Missouri river. His brother William had traveled to this location a couple of years prior and set up a store there which Thomas worked at when he arrived by Steamer via the Ohio river through St. Louis.
In 1848, Thomas Bedford went into Iowa from St. Joseph, MO to establish a small trading post at a site in or near the present limits of Bedford, Iowa. In his store, Thomas handled mail for the early settlers who were his customers and for the few traders and travelers who came his way. Although Thomas was not a regularly appointed postmaster, for a time he handled the mail addressed in care of "Bedford's Trading Post." This he did as an accommodation for his patrons long before the first U.S. post office was established. "Bedfords Store and Trading Post" became shortened to just "Bedford."
In October 1849 Thomas went to the gold region of California where he went into business with Nathan Able, a blacksmith, in Sacramento. In 1850 he returned from California and bought a store in St. Joseph, Missouri, which he sold in a couple of weeks for an increase of $2500. He married Martha A. Stewart, July 8, 1851, in the residence of William H. Bedford, St. Joseph, Missouri. With his brother, William H. Bedford, and their families Thomas left St. Joseph the second week in May 1852 on the wagon train of Elias H. Perry again bound for California.
He purchased a farm on the outskirts of Benicia, California, in the early 1850s. After selling the farm in 1858, he went into 1859 in the livery and feed business in Benicia. He's listed in the Census of 1860 as a Livery Stable Keeper.
On April 23, 1860, Thomas Bedford was the first rider to make the overland run of the Pony Express from Benicia (via Martinez) to Oakland.
In May 1861 moved with family to Carson City, Nevada Territory. In 1862, with Mark L. McDonald, built a toll road between Eagle Valley and Virginia City. In 1862 listed as a resident of Carson City, Nevada Territory, as a teamster on A.D. Treadway's Ranch located on the north side of Carson City. In 1863 Bedford & Levy, wholesale wines & liquors, listed on King near Carson, Carson City. On November 2, 1863, dissolved Co-partnership of Bedford & Levy. In 1864, as a cattleman living in Austin, paid taxes on slaughtered livestock. October 1865 found Thomas acting as Special Deputy to Sheriff of Carson City. In May 1866 he was thinking of running for sheriff in Carson City in the fall, however, the election returns for Ormsby County reported in the Territorial Enterprise, November 9, 1866, did not list Thomas Bedford. On February 11, 1868, a warrant in bankruptcy issued against the estate of Thomas J. Bedford.
In 1869 (age 43) he listed his occupation as Trader, living in Temescal Township, San Bernardino County, California. In February 1869, Thomas purchased, with William G. Wayman, the Butterfield Stage Station and its 160 acres near Temescal, California, from W.W. Rubottom for $3,500. In March 1869, Wayman sold his half of the Butterfield Stage property to Thomas Bedford for $1,750. In Census of 1870 (age 44) Thomas listed his occupation as Farmer living in San Salvador Township, San Bernardino County. San Bernardino Guardian reported a number times in 1871 Thomas Bedford's activity in County politics.
In August 1873, Thomas transferred his voter registration from San Bernardino County to Los Angeles County. Over the following years he listed his occupation variously as Stock Raiser, Cattle Dealer, Officer, City Jailer, Detective, and finally as retired in 1890.
In May 1896 (age 70), Thomas was admitted to Los Angeles County Hospital and Farm for "old age." He listed his occupation as Stockman. In March 1903, (age 80) he was admitted to Los Angeles County Farm for treatment of asthma. Thomas died September 26, 1906, (age 80) in Los Angeles County Hospital: Cause of death: Endocarditis. He is buried in Rosedale Cemetery, 1831 Washington, Los Angeles, California.
Family Members
Siblings
Half Siblings
Children
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William Craig Bedford
1852–1852
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Alice Bedford
1854–1946
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Oliver Perry "Olley" Bedford
1855–1859
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Mary Louisa Bedford
1856–1857
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Lelia Frances Bedford Kinlock
1859–1935
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Thomas Leon Bedford
1861–1947
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Lee Marshall Bedford
1864–1941
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Guy Bedford
1867–1913
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Sr Nina Agnes "Agnes" "M. Alcantara" Bedford
1870–1943
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