Ephraim Bee
Encyclopedia
Ephraim Bee was an American
pioneer, blacksmith, and inn-keeper from Doddridge County
, West Virginia
. He represented Doddridge County in the West Virginia House of Delegates
in 1863 and 1866-1867.
Ephraim was born to Asa and Rhoda (Cox) Bee in Salem
, New Jersey
. He moved with his parents around 1820 to western Virginia
, settling in what later became Lewisport
. There he built his own cabin and blacksmith shop. He later opened an inn, which became known as the Beehive Inn. Bee was married twice: first to Catherine Davis (1803-1852) in 1823, and second to Mary Welch (1823-1905). Between them he had 17 children who survived infancy.
Bee was the founder of E Clampus Vitus
, a fraternity similar to that of the Masons.
When West Virginia became a state
in 1863 Bee represented Doddridge County in the first state legislature. In 1864-65 he served as the U.S. Postmaster for West Virginia. He was elected to two later terms in the House of Delegates before his retirement.
In his later years Bee was also a successful land speculator, who accumulated around 40,000 acres (160 km²) in West Virginia. When he died in 1888 he was buried in the Cabin Run Cemetery, near West Union, West Virginia
.
His grandson, Clair Bee
, was a college basketball
coach for Long Island University
and, ultimately, a member of the Basketball Hall of Fame
.
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
pioneer, blacksmith, and inn-keeper from Doddridge County
Doddridge County, West Virginia
As of the census of 2000, there were 7,403 people, 2,845 households, and 2,102 families residing in the county. The population density was 23 people per square mile . There were 3,661 housing units at an average density of 11 per square mile...
, West Virginia
West Virginia
West Virginia is a state in the Appalachian and Southeastern regions of the United States, bordered by Virginia to the southeast, Kentucky to the southwest, Ohio to the northwest, Pennsylvania to the northeast and Maryland to the east...
. He represented Doddridge County in the West Virginia House of Delegates
West Virginia House of Delegates
The West Virginia House of Delegates is the lower house of the West Virginia Legislature. Only three states—Maryland, Virginia, and West Virginia—refer to their lower house as the House of Delegates.-Historical:-Current:-District organization:...
in 1863 and 1866-1867.
Ephraim was born to Asa and Rhoda (Cox) Bee in Salem
Salem, New Jersey
Salem is a city in Salem County, New Jersey, United States. As of the United States 2010 Census, the city population was 5,146. It is the county seat of Salem County, the most rural county in the state of New Jersey. The name Salem is related to the Hebrew word shalom, meaning "peace".The town and...
, New Jersey
New Jersey
New Jersey is a state in the Northeastern and Middle Atlantic regions of the United States. , its population was 8,791,894. It is bordered on the north and east by the state of New York, on the southeast and south by the Atlantic Ocean, on the west by Pennsylvania and on the southwest by Delaware...
. He moved with his parents around 1820 to western Virginia
Virginia
The Commonwealth of Virginia , is a U.S. state on the Atlantic Coast of the Southern United States. Virginia is nicknamed the "Old Dominion" and sometimes the "Mother of Presidents" after the eight U.S. presidents born there...
, settling in what later became Lewisport
West Union, West Virginia
West Union, incorporated July 20, 1881, is a town in Doddridge County, West Virginia. The population was 806 at the 2000 census. It is the county seat of Doddridge County. The mayor is Robert Fetty as of 2011. The town is located along Middle Island Creek at the junction of U.S...
. There he built his own cabin and blacksmith shop. He later opened an inn, which became known as the Beehive Inn. Bee was married twice: first to Catherine Davis (1803-1852) in 1823, and second to Mary Welch (1823-1905). Between them he had 17 children who survived infancy.
Bee was the founder of E Clampus Vitus
E Clampus Vitus
The Ancient and Honorable Order of E Clampus Vitus is a fraternal organization dedicated to the study and preservation of Western heritage, especially the history of the Mother Lode and gold mining regions of the area...
, a fraternity similar to that of the Masons.
When West Virginia became a state
U.S. state
A U.S. state is any one of the 50 federated states of the United States of America that share sovereignty with the federal government. Because of this shared sovereignty, an American is a citizen both of the federal entity and of his or her state of domicile. Four states use the official title of...
in 1863 Bee represented Doddridge County in the first state legislature. In 1864-65 he served as the U.S. Postmaster for West Virginia. He was elected to two later terms in the House of Delegates before his retirement.
In his later years Bee was also a successful land speculator, who accumulated around 40,000 acres (160 km²) in West Virginia. When he died in 1888 he was buried in the Cabin Run Cemetery, near West Union, West Virginia
West Union, West Virginia
West Union, incorporated July 20, 1881, is a town in Doddridge County, West Virginia. The population was 806 at the 2000 census. It is the county seat of Doddridge County. The mayor is Robert Fetty as of 2011. The town is located along Middle Island Creek at the junction of U.S...
.
His grandson, Clair Bee
Clair Bee
Clair Francis Bee was an American basketball coach, who led the team at Long Island University in Brooklyn, New York to undefeated seasons in 1936 and 1939, as well as two National Invitation Tournament titles...
, was a college basketball
Basketball
Basketball is a team sport in which two teams of five players try to score points by throwing or "shooting" a ball through the top of a basketball hoop while following a set of rules...
coach for Long Island University
Long Island University
Long Island University is a private, coeducational, nonsectarian institution of higher education in the U.S. state of New York.-History:...
and, ultimately, a member of the Basketball Hall of Fame
Basketball Hall of Fame
The Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame, located in Springfield, Massachusetts, United States, honors exceptional basketball players, coaches, referees, executives, and other major contributors to the game of basketball worldwide...
.