Sheriff Ed Beeler of St Johns, Arizona was Dr. Milton Beeler's son who lived in Tennessee. Milton Beeler's sister, Susan Beeler Gamble, who was married to James Gamble of Polk County, TN., was my great grandmother. She was the daughter of Armstead Beeler and had a sister Sally, and brothers Arberry, Blevens and Minn or Milton.

Ed Beeler was killed after he was out of office in 1904 by outlaws who were avenging the killing of one of their friends. Ed was married to Mary Hamblin. I am looking for a photo of Ed Beeler and any information on this Beeler family. I'd appreciate hearing from anyone and will answer. Thanks,
Nancy

From the 1900 census -
Name: Edw Beeler; sheriff; b. june 1865
Home in 1900: St Johns, Apache, Arizona Territory
Age: 34
Estimated birth year: 1866
Birthplace: Tennessee
Page: 6B; Enumeration District: 2

Mary E. - 24, b. Ut., b. Sept. 1875, Ut., no children listed

Nancy,
I am also looking for a picture of Ed Beeler. Have you found one yet? My husband and I are doing some historical work and the lawmen and outlaws of Apache County. We live in Eagar and need to get a picture of Ed for a project we are working on. Please e-mail me one if you have it.
Thanks,
Debbie

Hi Debbie,
No I haven't been able to find a picture of Ed Beeler as yet. I am still looking. I have looked several places, even at the sheriff's office in St Johns where they have quite a few pictures of other sheriffs of Apache county.. They said that was one they didn't have. A friend looked in the Hamblin history book, no luck. If we could find who got his wife's belongings, we might be able to get a copy, but I don't know who they are as they had no children.
If I find one, I'll let you know and if you find one, please let me know.
Nancy Brown

Thanks Nancy,
I thought I would call the county sheriff's department also. I checked at the LDS church local family history department yesterday. They have a lot of local history information. But we couldn't find a picture either. I will also contact the White Mountain Historical Society and see what info they have. Do you know any of the siblings of Ed's wife? There is a lot of Hamblins here in Eagar and we know almost all of them. If you could get me some names of relatives, I will contact them. I also know a Greg Beeler that lives on a ranch in New Mexico close by. I will try to contact Greg, see if he is a relative, and if he might have a picture. I will send any info I get to you.
Thanks again,
Debbie

Hi Debbie, I had written an answer your last letter, but it apparently didn't go through, so I am repeating what I had told you as well as I remember and adding a little more.

The siblings I have who were born in Arizona are as follows. Dudley Jabez Hamblin, b 1882, Springerville, AZ. He was in county government in St. Johns, so may have children there. Don Carlos Hamblin, b 1882 in Amity, Az. which was near Eager. He was married to Ida Lee. Don Carlos died in 1941 at Luke AF Base in Glendale, AZ. Don Carlos had 10 girls and 3 boys. There may be some of his offspring around Eager. I have found quite a number of Beelers in my research, but Greg might be related. I cannot find if Ed had any siblings or not.

I have often wondered how Ed found his way out to St. Johns, met Mary Hamblin and became sheriff there. I have read that after Ed was killed that Mary went to Tennessee to meet his relatives. I think she remarried in time and worked at the Temple in Mesa for years.

We'll keep digging! Nancy

Debbie,

Have you had any luck in finding a picture of Ed? All my leads ended up at a dead end. I have had several who did not answer, so I am at a standstill. I was wondering how you are coming with your search.

I live at Apache Creek and go to Springerville quite often, so maybe we could meet sometime and talk about the Beelers. My friend, Phylis Price, says she knows you.

Nancy

A few years ago we were both looking for a photo of Ed Beeler. I never did find one and wonder if you did. I finally got to a standstill with research. I happened on to your letter and thought I'd try to get a letter to you.

Nancy E. Brown