Thomas Jefferson Beeker Sr. ^{1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11}

   Other names for Thomas were J. F. Beeker ¹³ and Jeff Beeker.¹⁴

   FamilySearch ID: LL9W-D98.

  Noted events in his life were:

1. Newspaper: Salisbury Evening Sun: Jeff Beeker Arrested, 2 Jan 1899, Salisbury, Rowan, NC. ¹⁵ Bound Over.
A young man, Jeff Beeker, was bound over to court by Esquire Murphy this afternoon. He was charged with drawing a pistol on the son of Mr. A. H. Newsom yesterday.

2. Census in 1900 in Salisbury Township, Rowan, NC. ¹⁶ The 1900 census recorded David M. Becker, works in cotton mill, 46, born May 1854, living with wife Lunda R., 49, Apr 1851; Carl, cotton mill, 22, May 1878; Jefferson, laying brick, 18, born Oct 1882; Bessie, 11, May 1889; Estella, 9, Oct 1891; and Mary, 6, Nov 1894. Everyone and their parents were born in North Carolina. The parents were married for 26 years and Lunda had birthed 12 children, 9 alive in 1900.

3. Occupation: brick mason at White Oak Mills, Denim Branch, Greensboro, NC on 12 Sep 1918 in Greensboro, Guilford, NC. ¹²

4. He was described as medium height, medium build, blue eyes, dark hair on 12 Sep 1918 in Greensboro, Guilford, NC. ¹²

5. Residence: General Delivery, Greensboro, NC on 12 Sep 1918 in Greensboro, Guilford, NC. ¹²

6. Census in 1920 in Morehead Township, Guilford, NC. ¹⁷ The 1920 census recorded Jefferson F. Benker [sic - indexed wrong, poor handwriting], brakeman, 38, living with wife Annie, 36; Margie, 15; Daniel, 13; Pauline, 11; Clarence, 6; Jefferson, 3 years 9 months; and Leonard, 1 year 3 months. Everyone and their parents were born in North Carolina.

7. Residence: The 1926 Greensboro City Directory recorded: Beeker T Jefferson (Annie M), bricklyr Pauline H Miss h S Elm nr O'Connor in 1926 in Greensboro, Guilford, NC. ¹⁸

8. Newspaper: Greensboro Record: Jeff Beeker and daughter Pauline convicted for running house of assignation, 22 Jul 1926, Greensboro, Guilford, NC. ¹⁹ THREE GIRLS FOUND GUILTY
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Immoral Vagrancy Charges Sustained in City Court After Long Trial
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Father Is Convicted
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Judgement Continued Until July 27; Much Sordid Evidence Was Offered
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After a four-hour trial, replete with evidence of a most sordid nature in city court Thursday, three young white women were convicted of immoral vagrancy and the father of one of the girls of conducting a house of assignation. They will not be sentenced however, until July 27, Judge Collins announced.

The girls gave their names as Pauline Beeker, Rosa Cornelison, and Mildred Cornelison. The man was registered as John Beeker [note error: should be Jeff Beeker], and his residence on South Elm street extended.

The trial was the result of police investigation extending over several weeks following complaints from James O'Connor, a neighbor of the Beekers, that immoral practices were carried on both day and night from the Beeker resident that were constituting a nuisance. Officers Hayworth and Noel were assigned to the case and gathered evidence all last week which they presented Thursday as the bulwark of the State's case.

Mrs. Maggie Causey, owner of the house rented for the past several years by Beeker, was charged with maintaining a nuisance, but was promptly acquitted by Judge Collins on the grounds that she did not know the nature of her tenants.

The Cornelison girls were arrested at the Guilford hotel Saturday night, and the Beeker girl and her father at the house. All cases were tried together.

More than a score witnesses were placed on the stand, including the defendants during the progress of the trial, which was vigorously contested at every juncture by City Prosecutor E. P. Kuykendall against O. L. Sapp and John N. Wilson for the defense.

The State attempted to show that for many months the Beeker house has been a center of immorality, both within the house and as a station where young men could pick up women for automobile rides at all hours of the day and night.

State's witnesses contended that as high as fifty cars a day had come to the house and that at times there was such as rush that the girls changed from one car to another without formality, and the immoral acts were frequent in the house and on the adjoining premises.

A signal system by which an automobile horn was answered with a flashlight telling whether or not the coast was clear, was in operation, according to the State's witnesses, but this was vigorously denied by the defendants.

The defense fought valiantly to break down the State's net of evidence, and brought a different O'Connor family into play in the effort to do this. The second O'Connor contingent branded as false virtually every statement of the State's witnesses. They have Beeker a good reputation, the three girls a good reputation, and declared that they had never seen anything off color about the neighborhood. They faltered, however, under City Attorney Kuykendall's cross-examination, and in some instances were forced to contradict themselves.

Pauline Beeker and Rosa Cornelison both took the stand. Both denied any immoral conduct, claimed that they did not know the meaning of the charges against them until explained by a police officer, and that they were then severely shocked at his language. Rosa claimed she was going to work the Monday after her arrest, and that her mother was footing her bills while she was not working. Pauline Beeker admitted she did not work but claimed that her father supported her. She admitted that her father drank, and evidence was introduced proving that he did not work steadily.

The younger Cornelison girl, claiming to be only fourteen years old, has been here only three weeks, according to the evidence. She is a bright looking young girl with fair features and wavy auburn hair, but her appearance was that of a girl of 17 or 18.

Police state that they believe they have broken up one of the worst places of immoral conduct in the city, and that they have the names of several men and boys of the city who they observed in company with the girls. Three young men were named in court as having been connected with the house, and one married man was named.

9. Newspaper: Greensboro Record: Mrs. Conelison Promises To Banish Her Wayward Daughters, 25 Jul 1926, Greensboro, Guilford, NC. ²⁰ Mother Promises To Banish Her Wayward Daughters - Case Ended
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The promise of a solemn featured black-clad mother to take her two wayward daughters away from Guilford county ended the case of immoral vagrancy against Rosa and Mildred Cornelison in City Court Saturday.

Through her attorney, O. L. Sapp, the mother proposed the banishment and Judge Collins accepted it. Both girls were found guilty after a lengthy trial Wednesday and judgement continued.

Today the judgement of the case of Mildred, claiming be only 14 years old and to have resided in Greensboro less than three weeks was changed to "not guilty" and that against Mildred, with a long record here, was continued upon payment of the costs. Both girls are subject to arrest if apprehended within the county within the next two years.

As Mrs. Cornelison, who claims Salisbury as her home, left the courtroom, half of one of the most sordid cases ever tried here was ended, but the other half remains upon the court docket for judgement next week. It comprises the count of immoral vagrancy against Pauline Beeker and that of running an assignation house against her father, Jeff Beeker. Both were adjudged guilty last Wednesday.

Police Officers Hayworth and Noell worked for several days in gathering evidence to convict the individuals suspected of maintaining a nuisance on South Elm street, extended, and believe that they have broken up one of the worst centers of vice in the city.

10. Newspaper: Greensboro Daily News: Jeff Beeker Gets Suspended Sentence, 4 Aug 1926, Greensboro, Guilford, NC. ²¹ South Elm Case Is Ended With Warning
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Jeff Beeker Gets Suspended Sentence - He and Daughter Pay Costs Only.
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Jeff Beeker, South Elm street extension, and his young daughter, Pauline, were before the city court for sentence on Tuesday morning, a week or more after they were found guilty, the man for keeping a house of assignation, and the girl for immoral vagrancy. Beeker and his daughter were both freed with payment of the costs.

Beeker was given a suspended sentence of six months and was warned it would go into effect if he did not move his place of residence, leave whiskey alone, and mend his ways.

11. Census in 1930 in Sumner Township, Guilford, NC. ²² The 1930 census recorded renting a home on State Highway 70: Jeff T. Buker [sic - indexed wrong, handwriting bad does loook like Beeker], brick layer, 46, living with wife Annie M., 45; son Clerance, 17; son J. C., 14; son Leonard P., 11; daughter Mildred F., 9; and daughter Lundy J. 9. Everyone and their parents were born in North Carolina.

12. Residence: on 13 Dec 1932 in Greensboro, Guilford, NC. ¹³

13. Residence: on 8 May 1940 in Greensboro, Guilford, NC. ²³

14. Newspaper: Greensboro Daily News: Family Get-Together Is Held By Beekers, 25 Feb 1941, Greensboro, Guilford, NC. ²⁴ Children of Mr. and Mrs. T. J. Beeker, 1521 Lovett street, gathered at their home Sunday for a family reunion.
In the group were Mrs. W. G. Barber, Mr. and Mrs. Clarence Beeker and J. C. Beeker, all of Washington; Mr. and Mrs. Ted Miles and children, Teddie and Jean, and Leonard Beeker, of Newport News, Va., and Mr. and Mrs. Dan Beeker, Mr. and Mrs. Garland Phillips and Mr. and Mrs. E. P. Geohegan, Jr., all of Greensboro.

15. Residence: on 14 May 1944 in Greensboro, Guilford, NC. ¹⁴

16. Cause of Death: Thomas died at home from acute dilitation of the heart due to senility, 12 Jan 1947, Greensboro, Guilford, NC. ⁷

17. Occupation: bricklayer on 12 Jan 1947 in Greensboro, Guilford, NC. ^{2 7}

18. Residence: 1510 Lovett St., Greenboro, NC on 12 Jan 1947 in Greensboro, Guilford, NC. ^{2 7}

19. Obituary: Greensboro Daily News: Thomas J. Beeker Died Unexpectedly on 13 Jan 1947 in Greensboro, Guilford, NC. ²⁵ Thomas Jefferson Beeker, 64, bricklayer, died at 7:30 a. m. yesterday at his home, 1515 Lovett Street, after a sudden heart attack.
Funeral will be held at Hanes Chapel at 2 p. m. Tuesday by Rev. James R. Thompson, pastor of Florida Street Baptist Church, and burial will be in Guilford Memorial Park Cemetery.
A native of Davidson County, Beeker was the son of the late Dan and Lundy Nelson beeker. he moved to Greensboro 40 years ago and had been engaged in the bricklaying trade until his death. He was a member of First Episcopal Church, Salisbury.
Surviviors, in addition to his wife, the former Annie Leonard, are four sons, Clarence, J. C. and Leonard Beeker, all of Washington, and Dan Beeker, Greensboro; four daughters, Mrs. Ted Myles, Newport News, Va., Mrs. Wayne Charles, York, Pa., Mrs. F. G. Phillips and Mrs. R. E. Baker, both of Greensboro; 10 grandchildren, one great-grandchild; three brothers, Carl Beeker, Greensboro, R. S. Beeker, Lexington, Oscar Beeker, Albemarle, and two sisters, Mrs. Bess Campbell, Sanford, and Mrs. P. D. Parrish, Pine Bluff.

20. Obituary: Greensboro Record: Beeker Last Rites Planned Tuesday on 13 Jan 1947 in Greensboro, Guilford, NC. ¹¹ Last rites for Thomas Jefferson Beeker, 64, of 1515 Lovett Street, who died at his home about 7:30 a. m. yesterday, will be held by Rev. James R. Thompson, pastor of Florida Street Baptist Church, at Hanes Chapel at 2 p. m. Tuesday. Burial will be in Guilford Memorial Park Cemetery.
Beeker, a Davidson County native, moved to Greensboro 40 years ago and had been engaged in the bricklaying trade. he was a member of First Episcopal Church, Salisbury.
Surviving in addition to his wife, Mrs. Annie Leonard Beeker, are four sons, Clarence, J. C. and Leonard Beeker, all of Washington, and Dan Beeker, Greensboro; four daughters, Mrs. Ted Myles, Newport News, Va., Mrs. Wayne Charles, York, Pa., Mrs. F. G. Phillips and Mrs. R. E. Baker, both of Greensboro; 10 grandchildren, one great-grandchild; three brothers, Carl Beeker, Greensboro, R. S. Beeker, Lexington, Oscar Beeker, Albermarle, and two sisters, Mrs. Bess Campbell, Sanford, and Mrs. P. D. Parrish, Pine Bluff.

Thomas married Annie M. Leonard, daughter of Preston Jerome Leonard and Julia Ann McCrary, on 30 Aug 1903 in , Rowan, NC.¹ (Annie M. Leonard was born on 28 Mar 1884 in , Davidson, NC,^{26 27 28} died on 9 Jul 1951 in Greensboro, Guilford, NC ^{26 27 28} and was buried on 11 Jul 1951 in Greensboro: Guilford Memorial Park, Guilford, NC ^{26 27 28}.)