Dr John H. Beech

Dr. John H. Beech was in Gaines Township, Orleans County, New York on September 24, 1819. He was the son of Dr. Jesse Beech, who unfortunately died when James was only ten.

James Beech "put himself through school", first at the Gaines Academy, and then later at the Albany Medical College where graduated in 1841. He practiced in Ganies Township for about 9 years before moving to Coldwater, Michigan in 1850.

Dr. Beech was very interested in the science of medicine. Before the war he published a number of professional papers on prevalence of cholera in Michigan and numerous other topics. He was a founding member of the Michigan State Medical Association. His dedication to the advancement of his profession is evidenced by the number of case reports and anatomical samples that he submitted to the Army Medical Department. He was the only surgeon in the 24th to do so.

At the time of the Regiment's formation Dr. John H. Beech was practicing in Coldwater. How he came to become the Chief Surgeon for the "Detroit and "Wayne County Regiment" is not currently known. He was appointed Regimental surgeon on August 24, 1862 to date from August 15, 1862. He seems to have joined the Regiment shortly before it left for Washington D.C.

At Gettysburg, he established the Regimental hospital in the Express Office, where he tended the wounded. According to The Medical and Surgical History of the War of the Rebellion, he performed a minimum of 10 amputations on July 2, 1863. He remained at Gettysburg tending the wounded until August 19, 1863.

In recognition of his knowledge and skills, he was appointed Acting Brigade Surgeon on December 31, 1863. He was formally made Surgeon-in-Chief of Iron Brigade in July 1864. He continued to hold this position until March 1865. During this time, the 24th Michigan was assigned to duty at Camp Butler, Illinois, but Dr. Beech remained with the Iron Brigade near Petersburg.

Dr. Beech rejoined the Regiment at Camp Butler on March 12, 1865. His service had taken a severe toll, however. He resigned for ill health on April 4, 1865. The photograph above is believed to date from late in his service. He would have been in his mid 30's although in the photograph at left he appears to be at least 10 years older than that.

After the war, Dr. Beech returned to his practice in Coldwater. He died there on October 17, 1878 of double pneumonia. He is buried in Oak Grove Cemetery, Coldwater, Michigan.

Upon his death, the Michigan State Medical Association published a lengthy obituary written, in part, by Lt. C.C. Yemans. The obituary was later reprinted in the Medical History of Michigan.

The Obituary of Dr. James H. Beech

The above image is courtesy of the State Archives of Michigan and is used with permission
Some of the information on this page comes from Beech's obituary published in the Medical History of Michigan.