BEAN, Lewis (1823-1888) and Sophia R. (1823-1911)

President of the Vermont Conference from 1870 to 1875, Lewis Bean and his wife, Sophia, both Vermonters, passed through the Millerite experience and became Sabbathkeepers about 1852. Lewis Bean, a “wheelwright,” “carriage maker,” and “dry goods merchant,” according to censuses of 1850 to 1870, seems to have aspired to a full-time traveling ministry but was advised by Ellen White in 1859, “You have mistaken your calling.”1EGWLM 790.1

Bean subsequently contributed to the church primarily in the area of administration, serving through the 1860s and 1870s on the Vermont Conference executive committee and as its president from 1870 to 1875. In the 1870s he also held ministerial credentials, but little is reported in the Review on this aspect of his work, and his credentials were not renewed after 1879. In a testimony to Sophia Bean, Ellen White urged her to overcome her negative frame of mind by taking heed to the words of Christ, “Come unto me, all ye that labour and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest.”1EGWLM 790.2

See: Obituary, “Lewis Bean,” Review, Apr. 24, 1888, p. 271; obituary, “Sophia R. Bean,” Review, Mar. 30, 1911, p. 23; search terms “Lewis Bean” and “L. Bean” in Review and Herald online collection, www.adventistarchives.org; 1850 U.S. Federal Census, “Lewis Bean,” Vermont, Caledonia County, Hardwick, p. 195; 1860 U.S. Federal Census, “Lewis Bean,” Vermont, Lamoille County, Stowe, p. 264; 1870 U.S. Federal Census, “Lewis Bean,” Vermont, Franklin County, Enosburg, p. 24; Ellen G. White, Lt 20, 1859 (c. Sept.); Lt 41, 1880 (Sept. 16); Lt 42, 1880 (Sept. 22); Testimonies for the Church, vol. 2, p. 640 (“Sister G”).1EGWLM 790.3