This is a Message Board Post that is gatewayed to this mailing list. Surnames: Thomasson, Zimmerman, Classification: Death Message Board URL: http://boards.ancestry.com/mbexec/msg/rw/JW.2ADE/7882 Message Board Post: Death Takes Pioneer Resident Mr. Charles E. Beyer, 73, oldtimer of the Antelope Valley and the Rosamond area, passed away: Friday after a heart attack Dec. 17th, at his home four miles west of Rosamond and following a prolonged illness of about five years. Mr. Beyer; born in Ellesmere, England, in 1881, grew up in Liverpool, England, where as a boy the sight of California oranges fixed in his early mind a home in California. Not until he had spent nearly 15 years as a: mechanical engineer in nearly every corner of the globe; Central and South America, Australia, Canada, the Far East and the Carribean Islands to mention a few spots, did he finally get to California in 1916 with his English bride, Alice Thomasson, when he purchased west of Rosamond, a half section of land. He continued his work in foreign lands until 1928 when he moved to his new desert home. He soon realized that farming was different than engineering and in a short time he had established Antelope Valley's first manufacturing industry. From that time until a few years ago, his oil burners were shipped to many areas. He had previously established in Los Angeles a business manufacturing sugar refinery and mining machinery. His products were shipped to many areas and with his inventions in these fields he became well known in these industries. He is survived by his wife, a daughter, Mrs. Alice Zimmerman of Ontario, Calif., three sons, Mr. John Beyer of San Diego, Mr. Gordon Beyer, San Jose State College, and Mr. Edward Beyer of Rosamond, besides three granddaughters. Mr. Beyer was a member of Rock Lodge, No. 1289, F. & A. M. of Birkenhead, Cheshire, England; and was also a Royal Arch Mason: being a member of Egerton, Lodge No. 165 also of Birkenhead, England. . Services were held December 21 at 2:00 p.m. in the Mumaw Chapel of Lancaster with Dr. Tom Westwood of Glendale officiating. Last rites were performed with the Lancaster Masonic Lodge officiating at graveside in the Joshua Memorial Park, of Lancaster. Posted by East Kern Genealogical Society Courtesy of Mojave Desert News California City, Kern, CA Published: 23 Dec 1954