Civil War Union veteran; he enlisted as a Private in Company H of the 13th Pennsylvania Reserves Infantry (42nd Pennsylvania Volunteers and 1st Pennsylvania Rifles). This regiment was part of the "Pennsylvania Bucktails," a regiment made up of rough, hardy lumbermen who had their own peculiar "wildcat yell" and were destined to become famous. As superior marksmen, the Bucktails distinguished themselves as skirmishers and sharpshooters during the major battles of the first year of the war.

Richard was the son of Daniel Beeby and Elizabeth Taylor of Elstow, Bedfordshire, England. Before immigrating to the US, they had 8 children. In 1832, the family left the port of Liverpool, England to sail to America on the ship Fame. During this journey, Elizabeth was in her final months of carrying Richard, their ninth child. The family arrived in Philadelphia, Pa., on June 23, 1832. Just two weeks later, on July 7, Richard was born in Philadelphia. The family remained in Philadelphia for several years, as Richard spent his boyhood there. By 1840, Daniel and his family had settled in Thornbury township (near Cheyney) in Delaware county, Pennsylvania. Here, Daniel built a log home for his family and made his living as a farmer.

He married Elizabeth Jane Webb on March 15, 1857. Their son Franklin was born in 1858 and their son Vernon was born in 1860. Richard worked as a woodsawyer before he enlisted at the age of 28. He was described as 5 feet, 8.5 inches in height, with black eyes and sandy hair. He was mustered in to the service on June 21, 1861 at Harrisburg, Pennsylvania.

He was promoted to Corporal on May 15, 1861. He was given a leave of absence from Oct. 31, 1862 to February 28, 1863 and promoted to Sergeant after he returned to his regiment (March 1, 1863). From July 28 to September 17, 1863 he was sick and hospitalized at Carver U.S.A. General Hospital in Washington D. C. He returned to duty on September 18, but apparently was not fully recovered. He was hospitalized again on October 13, 1863 until December, 1863. He returned to his regiment in January and was present on company muster rolls until the company mustered out on June 14, 1864 at Harrisburg Pennsylvania.

He had three more children after the war: Daniel (1865), Charles (about 1868), and Mary (1870). His wife preceded him in death in 1897. (bio by: Cindy K. Coffin)