"H. E. Beach was employed as a masonry engineer on several railroad construction projects.  Work on the Edgefield and Kentucky railroad near Port Royal led to acquaintance with the Bourne family.

 

Following the marriage of Frances Bourne and H. E. Beach, they removed to Virginia.  During the War Between the States, H. E. Beach served in the Virginia Confederate forces.  Following the war, Mr. Beach attended dentistry college in Philadelphia, where he graduated.  Thereafter, he practiced his profession in Clarksville and served on the faculty of Vanderbilt Medical University."

 

History of Adams and Port Royal.

 

"One of the most public spirited, enterprising and benevolent citizens of Clarksville is Dr. Henry E. Beach, the eminent dental surgeon, whose name is familiar in every part of Tennessee and Kentucky.  Dr. Beach is a native of Prince Edward County, Virginia, the son of E. B. Beach, a farmer, and was born February 1, 1837.  He was raised on the farm and educated at country schools.  When seventeen years old he left home to go with his older brother, who was engaged on the construction of the Petersburg & Norfolk Railroad.  He continued on public works for about five years, during which time he was principally engaged in superintending the construction of masonry, or as assistant civil engineer.  The Cincinnati, Cumberland Gap & Charleston, Northwestern of Tennessee, and Edgefield & Kentucky, now the Southeastern division of the Louisville & Nashville, were the fields of his labors.  On the 21st of December, 1859, Dr. Beach was married to Miss Fannie J. Bourne, daughter of William Bourne, of Port Royal, of this county.  He then moved to Virginia and engaged in mercantile pursuits, during which time he commenced the study of his profession.  He entered the Confederate service during the second year of the war, and was a member of Company D, Nineteenth Battalion of Heavy Artillery, in which he served until the close of the war.  He carries on his person a scar from a bayonet wound as a mark of his devotion to the service of the Confederacy.  At the close of the war he commenced anew the study and practice of his profession.  His ambition to be in the front rank among his professional brethren led him to use every means in his power to attain that end.  The result was that he graduated in the Pennsylvania College of dental surgery in February, 1870, having received the highest award of praise for his skill in operative dentistry of any member of his class of forty-three graduates. He came to Clarksville the following May, and located on the site of his present residence on Franklin Street, where he has successfully practiced since.  Dr. Beach has twice been honored with the presidency of the Tennessee Dental Association, being elected to that office in 1877 and again in 1886.  His administrations were noted for the business like manner in which the work of the society was conducted, and the improvements made.  He is now Clinical Professor in the Dental Department of Vanderbilt University, Nashville, Tennessee, and state editor of the Archives of Dentistry, published in St. Louis, Missouri.  Dr. Beach and his wife are active members of the Baptist Church, the Doctor being a Deacon in the church, and for many years was Superintendent of the Sunday School.  They have six children, viz:  William Earnest, Matie E., Henry E., Jr., Edward R., John R., and Lillian, all of which are living in Clarksville save one who is living in Kansas City, Missouri, viz: Henry E., Jr.  He is an active and enthusiastic member of the Knights of Honor and Knights of Pythias, having passed the chair in both organizations, and been twice representative to the Grand Lodge in the order of the Knights of Honor.  He is now a member of the Board of Mayor and Aldermen of this city, and Chairman of the Finance Committee, and a member of the Board of Health."

 

Picturesque Clarksville, Titus, 1887

 

Henry E. Beach enlisted as a private in Company D, 19th Virginia Heavy Artillery, CSA, on January 24, 1864 at Camp Lee, Virginia.  He served with his unit until paroled at Farmville, Virginia, between April 11 and 21, 1865.

 

Compiled Military Service Record, NARA