BANCROFT ETZ BEEMAN 

 By Holdridge O. Collins, LL. D. 



Born in Cortland County, New York, on December 31, 1844, 

 Bancroft Etz Beeman achieved a high grade of intellectual cul- 

 ture in the several educational institutions of his native State. 

 His entire mature life up to his fifty-sixth year was devoted to 

 successful commercial pursuits, in which he acquired a comfort- 

 able estate, and. retiring from all business avocations, in the year 

 nXX) he came to California and made a new home for his little 

 family in Los Angeles. 



Many years ago he was elected a member of this Academy of 

 Sciences, and he became an active participant in the conduct of 

 its work, having served as a Director and an active worker in 

 all its labors up to within a short time prior to his death. 



During the last fourteen years of his life he made many voy- 

 ages to Europe, Africa and the Orient, circling the globe in his 

 wanderings. W'hile in Japan he became greatly interested in 

 the ichthyology of that region of the Pacific waters, accumulating 

 valuable publications by the Japanese Government upon that 

 branch of science ; and through his suggestions and advice the 

 Library of this Academy was enriched by several monographs 

 upon that subject, issued by the Smithsonian Institution. 



A man modest and unpretentious in his social intercourse, 

 with a total lack of strenuous self assertion, none but his more 

 intimate friends were aware of his great interest in all institutions 

 conducted for the amelioration of the indigent sick and afflicted 

 and for establishments conducted for free instruction in the 

 higher branches of erudition. 



That this was not in him a mere abstract emotion is evidenced 

 by the provisions of his last will and testament, wherein he be- 

 queathed large amounts to Hospitals, the Industrial Home and 

 to this Academy of Sciences ten thousand dollars "to defray the 

 expense of free lectures or other proper entertainments bearing 

 upon scientific topics." 



His death occurred on November 11, 1914 at his home in Los 

 Angeles, and in the copy of the records of this Academy, printed 

 herein upon another page, will be found the Memorial unanimously 

 adopted by the Directors of this Academy of Sciences. 



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