Jeremiah Washington Beachum was the first of seven (or nine) children born to Hugh A. (Alexander?) Beachum (1806-1861) and his wife Zillah "Zillie" O'Neal (1812-1882). His paternal grandparents were Alexander Beachum and his wife Elizabeth Shelton, and his maternal grnadparents were Kindred O'Neal and his wife Culia Hayles. Jeremiah was a farmer, Justice of the Peace, store owner, contributor of humorous articles to the local newspaper and a Confederate Soldier. He married Mary Jane "Cisey" Taylor (1836-1882, daughter of William Taylor and his wife Sarah McLendon) on 30 June 1853, and they had 14 children. They are buried, along with two of their children, at a family cemetery near the crossroads of Hwy. 218 and Kiker Road, between Peachland and Polkton, Anson County, NC.

Jeremiah served in Co. K, "The Pee Dee Wildcats," of the 26th NC Regiment, Confederate States Army. This regiment was a rather famous one, being at the forefront of two rather well known charges at the Battle of Gettysburg, in the charge on McPherson's Ridge on the first day, and the famous Pickett's Charge on the third day. The regiment received something over 80% casualties, and it was a miracle J. W. Beachum lived, as he was 6'2" tall, a full head taller than most soldiers in that day. At the end of the war, in March 1865, he was captured by the yankees, and confined in the miserable and ghastly conditions at Point Lookout, Maryland. It is said that they offered to let him out if he would take the oath of loyalty, and sign up to fight Indians on the frontier. His reply was that he didn't have any quarrel with the Indians, but he'd learned that he was good at killing yankees, and believed that, if they let him go, he'd continue with what he had a talent for. They kept him prisoner til 23 June 1865, quite a while after the war was over....and then he walked home, to his wife and children, who had been in the path of Shermans vandals.

Obituary: "Mr. J. W. Beachum, one of Lanesboro's oldest and best known citizens died last Saturday, after an illness of several weeks' duration. He was in the 80th year of his age. Mr. Beachum was a veteran of the civil war. After the surrender he chose farming as his occupation, and from it he not only made a fat living but yearly laid by a comfortable surplus. His hospitality was unstinted. Friend and stranger found a welcome seat at his fireside and around his table. As a neighbor and a citizen he always merited praise. For many years he served as Justice of the Peace in Lanesboro's courts and he performed the duties of the responsible office with zeal and care. Many a young couple were made 'one' by his mandate. In fact he was the most popular magistrate with the matrimonial inclined this section of the county has had for many years. 'Uncle Jerry's' blessing always fell on open hearts and retentive memories."

Jeremiah Beachum's siblings were: Joseph J. Beachum (c.1833-1865, died in the War), Harriet Jane Beachum (1834-1872, m. James B. Deas), James Thomas Beachum (1837-1907, m. Margaret Adeline Sikes, served in War, survived), William Henry Beachum (c.1840-1862, m. Miss McIntire, died in the War), Daniel K. Beachum (1847-1923, m. twice, Tabitha Dean and Annie Simmons), and Christine Clementine Beachum (1854-1862).

The children of Jeremiah Washington Beachum and Mary Jane Taylor were: Zachary Taylor Beachum (1854-1926, m. Emeline Amanda "Emma" Steen); Angeline Melvina Beachum (1855-1920, m. William Carpenter); John Beachum (1857-1940, m. Mary Anne Bowers); Sarah Isabelle Beachum (1859-1931, m. Martin Wright); Cleopatra Beachum (1861-1931, m. John W. H. Irby); Louisa Clementine Beachum (1864-1939, m. Miles W. Caudle); Joseph Jackson Beachum (1866-1882); Mary Jane "Zillie" Beachum (1867-1910, m. Dulin Benson Stearns); Hugh Wilson Beachum (1870-1940, m. Regina Belle Simmons); Atlas Free Beachum (1872-1933, m. Fannie Rebecca Davis); Heallon Mercia Beachum (1874-1930, m. James Martin King); Lenorah Colon Beachum (1875-1955, m. Charles F. Ballard); Arindo Washington Beachum (1877-1961, m. Lillie) and Jeremiah Osco Beachum (1881-1882).

After the death of his first wife, Mary Jane Taylor, Jeremiah Beachum was married twice more. On 14 Jan. 1889, he married Zilphia Helms (1832-1906, daughter of Joel Helms and Sarah Pyron, and widow of William Polk). On 3 April 1907, he married Elizabeth "Bettie" Parker (1860/2-1944, daughter of Elijah Parker and Nancy Rogers). She survived him and later married George Hendley. All of his children were born of the first marriage.