Frederick Beumer, pioneer and veteran of the Civil War, Frederick has had much to do with the development of the township of St. Augusta, where he has lived for so many years. He was born in Germany, February 27, 1841, and received a good education in the land of his birth. At the age of sixteen he set sail for America with his father and mother, Henry Casper and Louise (Rotman) Beumer. The family lived in Cincinnati for about six months, and then came directly west to St. Augusta Township, where they took a homestead in sections 10 and 15. Father and son worked together, became influential farmers and erected a fine home.

In 1864 Frederick Beumer enlisted in Company F, Eleventh Minnesota Volunteer Infantry, saw active service at Nashville, Tennessee, and was mustered out at Fort Snelling at the close of the war. Even before his service in the South he had demonstrated his courage and bravery in the face of danger. During the Indian uprising he was the only one in the neighborhood who remained at home, and it devolved upon him to look after the affairs of his neighbors, take care of the stock, and carry provisions for those who had sought shelter in the stockade. Often suspicious looking Indians came around, and he was frequently aroused by their presence, but none of them ever harmed him. Upon his return from the Civil War, Mr. Beumer resumed his work on the farm, and after his father's death started in for himself. He has prospered exceedingly, and at one time owned several hundred acres in St. Augusta Township.

He now makes his home with his son, Fred. During his years of active farm work he erected a sightly residence, and a splendid brick barn said to be the largest of its kind in the county. His honesty and his willingness to lend a helping hand to the needy has won for him the respect and esteem of a large community. A devout Catholic, his ideals and life have been in keeping with the high standards set by that church, and his children are worthily following in his footsteps.

Mr. Beumer was married in May, 1866, to Gesina Eilers, an estimable woman in every sense of that noble word. She was born in Germany, March 9, 1846, and died in St. Augusta Township, April 14, 1905. The children are as follows: C. H., of St. Augusta; John, of St. Augusta; Katherine, now wife of Nicholas Pesh, of Luxemburg Township; Anna, now wife of Joseph Thole, of St. Cloud; Mary, now wife of John Schlagheck, of St. Augusta Township; Lousie, now wife of John Trestka, of St. Cloud Township; Fred, of St. Augusta Township; Theresa, now wife of George Reishel, of St. Cloud; and Moritz, of St. Augusta Township.

~ Excerpt taken from "History of Stearns County Minnesota" by William Bell Mitchell, 1915 (Vol. 2, pg. 937-8)