The following is from A History of Constantine Lodge, No. 13, 1917 Col. Thomas C. Bean
The records fail to show how and when Col. Tom Bean became a member. The first time he is mentioned in the minutes is at the first meeting every held in Bonhan, on March 5, 1844, the same at which Colmore Bean [his father] is mentioned.
Col. Bean came to Bonham about the year 1841 or 1842. He was Tiler of this Lodge from December 27, 1846 to December 27, 1847. He was Master of this Lodge from December 27, 1847 to December 27, 1848. He was clerk of the county court of Fannin County from 1848 to 1850. He was a surveyor, and engaged in surveying lands and locating land certificates. He acquired a great deal of the finest land sin this and adjoining counties, and held them until they enhanced in value sufficient to make him worth two or three hundred thousand dollars.
He never married after coming to this state, and the proof is almost conclusive that he never was married. He was man of fine intellect, read a great deal and dept well posted as to the current events of the day. He was quiet, reserved and very gentlemanly in his demeanor, and always dressed neatly. His father, Colmore Bean, died in 1845.
His two brothers, John and Oscar, died long years ago. Col. Bean was sociable with certain persons, but was always secretive and non-communicative as to this relatives. He died in Bonham on July 24, 1887, leaving a fortune valued at from $250,000 to $300,000, and consisting almost entirely of lands.
Application was made for letters of administration upon his estate, whence began a law suit for his property, which was only recently decided in favor of his relatives living in and about Washington City. Again the records of Constantine Lodge played quite an important part in this extended and bitterly contested law suit. There were perhaps one hundred persons who claimed to be related to Col. Bean either by consanguinity in some degree, or by affinity.
Obituary
Dallas News, July 26, 1887
Tom Bean, An Eccentric Resident of Fannin County, Died Sunday Evening
Bonham, Tex., July 25 -- Mr. Tom Bean, the wealthiest, one of the oldest, and altogether the most eccentric of the residents of this county, died here yesterday evening about 7 o'clock, surrounded by the negroes with whom he had lived for many years.
Mr. Bean came here in 1840 or 1842 as a surveyor and while lands were cheap and surveyors scarce surveyed on shares, thereby securing thousands of acres of the most valuable land in Fannin County and north Texas.
He lived in poverty and seclusion, being an old bachelor, and never sold a foot of land except for the payment of taxes. It being generally known that he would not sell, parties were continually applying to him for leases, which he always refused, saying he wanted it to remain unfenced for poor people's stock.
His net estate is estimated at $1,000,000. He claimed to have no relatives. He was accustomed to tell those inquiring after his family that he found himself a good big boy in a bean patch and named himself "Tom Bean."
It is reported a young man came here from California, several years ago, claiming to be a nephew, and that Mr. Bean disowned him.
Messrs. W.W.Russel, Sim Winneler, John Sparks and Judge Evans were requested by the county judge to act as a committee to take charge of the papers belonging to the estate, and as yet they have found no will.
It is believed by many that he had a will, and that it is in the vaults of some bank away from here. Several who had been acquainted with him longest -- everybody knew him -- insisted that he should dispose of his property by will, but he would always decline.
He is supposed to have been about 70 years old. An old musty Bible was found with the ages of his negroes set down, but no record of his birth or family history has been found. People are curious to know what will become of his immense landed estate. Proving of heirship will be in order. If a will is found it is believed his property will all be left to negroes.
********************************************
Thomas Bean monument was leveled and cleaned in 2017 through private donations from the City of Tom Bean. Mayor Sherry Howard coordinated this effort.
Thank you Contributor: Sherry Howard (50189988) for this note.
The records fail to show how and when Col. Tom Bean became a member. The first time he is mentioned in the minutes is at the first meeting every held in Bonhan, on March 5, 1844, the same at which Colmore Bean [his father] is mentioned.
Col. Bean came to Bonham about the year 1841 or 1842. He was Tiler of this Lodge from December 27, 1846 to December 27, 1847. He was Master of this Lodge from December 27, 1847 to December 27, 1848. He was clerk of the county court of Fannin County from 1848 to 1850. He was a surveyor, and engaged in surveying lands and locating land certificates. He acquired a great deal of the finest land sin this and adjoining counties, and held them until they enhanced in value sufficient to make him worth two or three hundred thousand dollars.
He never married after coming to this state, and the proof is almost conclusive that he never was married. He was man of fine intellect, read a great deal and dept well posted as to the current events of the day. He was quiet, reserved and very gentlemanly in his demeanor, and always dressed neatly. His father, Colmore Bean, died in 1845.
His two brothers, John and Oscar, died long years ago. Col. Bean was sociable with certain persons, but was always secretive and non-communicative as to this relatives. He died in Bonham on July 24, 1887, leaving a fortune valued at from $250,000 to $300,000, and consisting almost entirely of lands.
Application was made for letters of administration upon his estate, whence began a law suit for his property, which was only recently decided in favor of his relatives living in and about Washington City. Again the records of Constantine Lodge played quite an important part in this extended and bitterly contested law suit. There were perhaps one hundred persons who claimed to be related to Col. Bean either by consanguinity in some degree, or by affinity.
Obituary
Dallas News, July 26, 1887
Tom Bean, An Eccentric Resident of Fannin County, Died Sunday Evening
Bonham, Tex., July 25 -- Mr. Tom Bean, the wealthiest, one of the oldest, and altogether the most eccentric of the residents of this county, died here yesterday evening about 7 o'clock, surrounded by the negroes with whom he had lived for many years.
Mr. Bean came here in 1840 or 1842 as a surveyor and while lands were cheap and surveyors scarce surveyed on shares, thereby securing thousands of acres of the most valuable land in Fannin County and north Texas.
He lived in poverty and seclusion, being an old bachelor, and never sold a foot of land except for the payment of taxes. It being generally known that he would not sell, parties were continually applying to him for leases, which he always refused, saying he wanted it to remain unfenced for poor people's stock.
His net estate is estimated at $1,000,000. He claimed to have no relatives. He was accustomed to tell those inquiring after his family that he found himself a good big boy in a bean patch and named himself "Tom Bean."
It is reported a young man came here from California, several years ago, claiming to be a nephew, and that Mr. Bean disowned him.
Messrs. W.W.Russel, Sim Winneler, John Sparks and Judge Evans were requested by the county judge to act as a committee to take charge of the papers belonging to the estate, and as yet they have found no will.
It is believed by many that he had a will, and that it is in the vaults of some bank away from here. Several who had been acquainted with him longest -- everybody knew him -- insisted that he should dispose of his property by will, but he would always decline.
He is supposed to have been about 70 years old. An old musty Bible was found with the ages of his negroes set down, but no record of his birth or family history has been found. People are curious to know what will become of his immense landed estate. Proving of heirship will be in order. If a will is found it is believed his property will all be left to negroes.
********************************************
Thomas Bean monument was leveled and cleaned in 2017 through private donations from the City of Tom Bean. Mayor Sherry Howard coordinated this effort.
Thank you Contributor: Sherry Howard (50189988) for this note.
The following is from A History of Constantine Lodge, No. 13, 1917 Col. Thomas C. Bean
The records fail to show how and when Col. Tom Bean became a member. The first time he is mentioned in the minutes is at the first meeting every held in Bonhan, on March 5, 1844, the same at which Colmore Bean [his father] is mentioned.
Col. Bean came to Bonham about the year 1841 or 1842. He was Tiler of this Lodge from December 27, 1846 to December 27, 1847. He was Master of this Lodge from December 27, 1847 to December 27, 1848. He was clerk of the county court of Fannin County from 1848 to 1850. He was a surveyor, and engaged in surveying lands and locating land certificates. He acquired a great deal of the finest land sin this and adjoining counties, and held them until they enhanced in value sufficient to make him worth two or three hundred thousand dollars.
He never married after coming to this state, and the proof is almost conclusive that he never was married. He was man of fine intellect, read a great deal and dept well posted as to the current events of the day. He was quiet, reserved and very gentlemanly in his demeanor, and always dressed neatly. His father, Colmore Bean, died in 1845.
His two brothers, John and Oscar, died long years ago. Col. Bean was sociable with certain persons, but was always secretive and non-communicative as to this relatives. He died in Bonham on July 24, 1887, leaving a fortune valued at from $250,000 to $300,000, and consisting almost entirely of lands.
Application was made for letters of administration upon his estate, whence began a law suit for his property, which was only recently decided in favor of his relatives living in and about Washington City. Again the records of Constantine Lodge played quite an important part in this extended and bitterly contested law suit. There were perhaps one hundred persons who claimed to be related to Col. Bean either by consanguinity in some degree, or by affinity.
Obituary
Dallas News, July 26, 1887
Tom Bean, An Eccentric Resident of Fannin County, Died Sunday Evening
Bonham, Tex., July 25 -- Mr. Tom Bean, the wealthiest, one of the oldest, and altogether the most eccentric of the residents of this county, died here yesterday evening about 7 o'clock, surrounded by the negroes with whom he had lived for many years.
Mr. Bean came here in 1840 or 1842 as a surveyor and while lands were cheap and surveyors scarce surveyed on shares, thereby securing thousands of acres of the most valuable land in Fannin County and north Texas.
He lived in poverty and seclusion, being an old bachelor, and never sold a foot of land except for the payment of taxes. It being generally known that he would not sell, parties were continually applying to him for leases, which he always refused, saying he wanted it to remain unfenced for poor people's stock.
His net estate is estimated at $1,000,000. He claimed to have no relatives. He was accustomed to tell those inquiring after his family that he found himself a good big boy in a bean patch and named himself "Tom Bean."
It is reported a young man came here from California, several years ago, claiming to be a nephew, and that Mr. Bean disowned him.
Messrs. W.W.Russel, Sim Winneler, John Sparks and Judge Evans were requested by the county judge to act as a committee to take charge of the papers belonging to the estate, and as yet they have found no will.
It is believed by many that he had a will, and that it is in the vaults of some bank away from here. Several who had been acquainted with him longest -- everybody knew him -- insisted that he should dispose of his property by will, but he would always decline.
He is supposed to have been about 70 years old. An old musty Bible was found with the ages of his negroes set down, but no record of his birth or family history has been found. People are curious to know what will become of his immense landed estate. Proving of heirship will be in order. If a will is found it is believed his property will all be left to negroes.
********************************************
Thomas Bean monument was leveled and cleaned in 2017 through private donations from the City of Tom Bean. Mayor Sherry Howard coordinated this effort.
Thank you Contributor: Sherry Howard (50189988) for this note.
The records fail to show how and when Col. Tom Bean became a member. The first time he is mentioned in the minutes is at the first meeting every held in Bonhan, on March 5, 1844, the same at which Colmore Bean [his father] is mentioned.
Col. Bean came to Bonham about the year 1841 or 1842. He was Tiler of this Lodge from December 27, 1846 to December 27, 1847. He was Master of this Lodge from December 27, 1847 to December 27, 1848. He was clerk of the county court of Fannin County from 1848 to 1850. He was a surveyor, and engaged in surveying lands and locating land certificates. He acquired a great deal of the finest land sin this and adjoining counties, and held them until they enhanced in value sufficient to make him worth two or three hundred thousand dollars.
He never married after coming to this state, and the proof is almost conclusive that he never was married. He was man of fine intellect, read a great deal and dept well posted as to the current events of the day. He was quiet, reserved and very gentlemanly in his demeanor, and always dressed neatly. His father, Colmore Bean, died in 1845.
His two brothers, John and Oscar, died long years ago. Col. Bean was sociable with certain persons, but was always secretive and non-communicative as to this relatives. He died in Bonham on July 24, 1887, leaving a fortune valued at from $250,000 to $300,000, and consisting almost entirely of lands.
Application was made for letters of administration upon his estate, whence began a law suit for his property, which was only recently decided in favor of his relatives living in and about Washington City. Again the records of Constantine Lodge played quite an important part in this extended and bitterly contested law suit. There were perhaps one hundred persons who claimed to be related to Col. Bean either by consanguinity in some degree, or by affinity.
Obituary
Dallas News, July 26, 1887
Tom Bean, An Eccentric Resident of Fannin County, Died Sunday Evening
Bonham, Tex., July 25 -- Mr. Tom Bean, the wealthiest, one of the oldest, and altogether the most eccentric of the residents of this county, died here yesterday evening about 7 o'clock, surrounded by the negroes with whom he had lived for many years.
Mr. Bean came here in 1840 or 1842 as a surveyor and while lands were cheap and surveyors scarce surveyed on shares, thereby securing thousands of acres of the most valuable land in Fannin County and north Texas.
He lived in poverty and seclusion, being an old bachelor, and never sold a foot of land except for the payment of taxes. It being generally known that he would not sell, parties were continually applying to him for leases, which he always refused, saying he wanted it to remain unfenced for poor people's stock.
His net estate is estimated at $1,000,000. He claimed to have no relatives. He was accustomed to tell those inquiring after his family that he found himself a good big boy in a bean patch and named himself "Tom Bean."
It is reported a young man came here from California, several years ago, claiming to be a nephew, and that Mr. Bean disowned him.
Messrs. W.W.Russel, Sim Winneler, John Sparks and Judge Evans were requested by the county judge to act as a committee to take charge of the papers belonging to the estate, and as yet they have found no will.
It is believed by many that he had a will, and that it is in the vaults of some bank away from here. Several who had been acquainted with him longest -- everybody knew him -- insisted that he should dispose of his property by will, but he would always decline.
He is supposed to have been about 70 years old. An old musty Bible was found with the ages of his negroes set down, but no record of his birth or family history has been found. People are curious to know what will become of his immense landed estate. Proving of heirship will be in order. If a will is found it is believed his property will all be left to negroes.
********************************************
Thomas Bean monument was leveled and cleaned in 2017 through private donations from the City of Tom Bean. Mayor Sherry Howard coordinated this effort.
Thank you Contributor: Sherry Howard (50189988) for this note.
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