Beebe, Roswell, 1795-1856

Roswell Beebe was one of the premier economic and political leaders in antebellum Arkansas. Born in Duchess County, New York in 1795, Beebe eventually settled in Little Rock after living for a time in New Orleans. During the War of 1812, Beebe helped General Andrew Jackson defend New Orleans from the British. He married Miss Clarissa Elliot of Missouri in 1835. When Beebe settled in Little Rock in the late 1830s, the townsite was being claimed by a variety of people. Ultimately, Beebe won control of the young town, and he was instrumental in helping settlers obtain clear title to the land. He gave the land for the Old State House, then the state capitol. Other lands owned by Beebe were donated for schools as well as Mount Holly Cemetery. Beebe is best known for his work in trying to bring railroads to Arkansas. Beebe died in 1856 before his railroad could really get off the ground. Later, the town of Beebe was named for him.

Businessman, railroad company president, civic leader, and mayor of Little Rock, Ark.