David Richardson Beaver was born near Valley Forge, Chester County, Pa. on April 18, 1842. His family moved to and operated businesses in Norristown and Bridgeport, Pa. Richardson was educated in local schools and then attended the medical school at the University of Pennsylvania graduating in 1864. His training there was interrupted by the Civil War. Answering a call to volunteer from Governor Andrew Curtin, Beaver mustered into the 12th Pennsylvania Reserves (41st Pennsylvania Volunteers) as an Assistant Surgeon on April 13, 1864 and mustered out with the regiment on June 11, 1864. He returned to military service as an Assistant Surgeon of the 191st Pennsylvania Volunteers on July 12, 1864 and mustered out with the regiment on July 28, 1865. It is reported that Beaver commanded 12 batteries of artillery at the Battle of Weldon railroad, Va. during Grant’s siege of Petersburg, Va. After the war, Beaver operated a private practice in Reading, Norristown and finally in Conshohocken where he lived and practiced for 54 years. Dr. Beaver died of pneumonia on November 17, 1923. His home stood at 405 Fayette Street the present site of Progress Bank.1
[Editor’s Note – Beaver is buried at the Montgomery Cemetery, Norristown, PA Grave site: R50-51]
BEAVER, David R.: Member of the Pennsylvania Commander of the Military Order of the Loyal Legion; First Lieutenant and Assistant Surgeon, Forty-first Pennsylvania Infantry (Twelfth Reserve), April 12, 1864; honorably mustered out, June 11, 1864; First Lieutenant and Assistant Surgeon, 191st Pennsylvania Infantry, July 21, 1864; honorably mustered out, June 28, 1865; elected May 7, 1890. Address, care of Recorder of Loyal Legion, 1535 Chestnut St., Philadelphia, Pa.2
Currently a resident of Burke, Virginia - I'm originally from the City of Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. I have been a student of the Pennsylvania Reserves since 1997 and thoroughly enjoy telling their story. By trade I'm a former IT Professional but presently working as a Letter Carrier for the United States Postal Service.
