"The present worthy Treasurer of the City of Clarksville, William Earnest Beach, son of Dr. H. E. and Fannie J. (Bourne) Beach, was born in Virginia in 1861, and came to Clarksville with his parents in 1869, and was educated principally here, but he attended an institution on Knoxville one year.  He began life as a newsboy, as his ambition was to paddle his own canoe from the jump.  In 1878 he took a situation with Keesee & Northington in the grocery business, and has successfully filled every station there, from porter up, frequently having full control of the premises when the members of the firm were away.  Mr. Beach was elected a member of the Board of Mayor and Aldermen in 1886, but owing to his removal from the ward, he resigned.  He then ran for the office of City Treasurer in February, 1887, and was elected to that office, a handsome compliment for so young a man.  He has been Secretary and Treasurer of the Baptist Sabbath School for four years, was Librarian of the same for three years, is now Financial Reporter of Clarksville Lodge, No. 232, Knights of Honor, is a staunch member of the Baptist Church, and a lively Knight of Pythias.  He enjoys the fullest confidence of the public, and is a first class gentleman in every sense of that meaning.  On the 4th of November, 1885, Mr. Beach led to the hymenial alter Miss Jessie Couts, daughter of John F. Couts, and their union has been blessed with a lovely daughter, Bessie Beach."

 

Picturesque Clarksville, Titus, 1887

 

W. E. Beach was Mayor of Clarksville, 1919-1924.  He founded the Beach Coal Co.