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Doctor Beutel was born on November 13, 1892, in Cleveland, Ohio. His career began early. In the summer after graduating from the eighth grade, he went to work as a blueprint boy for Cleveland Frog & Crossing company. During succeeding summer vacations "Dutch" worked himself up to tracer and finally to draftsman for the same company. Dr. Beutel entered Case School of Applied Science in 1910 and graduated with a B.S. Degree in Mining and Metallurgical Engineering. In his first job as a chief engineer he surveyed coal mines at several locations in Michigan. |
It was when he traveled to and from those coal mines by train that Dr. Beutel met Thomas Griswold, Jr., then chief engineer of Dow. It was during one conversation that it was disclosed that both men were graduates of Case, and the basis was laid for a position for him with the Dow Chemical Company.
His career at Dow lasted 55 years. He married Belle B. Armstrong in 1916 and they had three children, Phillip, Betty Ann, and Richard.
He was a man who knew a lot about a variety of things. He had a ranch in the Lake Jackson area and raised cattle. Here a cow is being branded with the "running M," the official brand of Beutel's ranch. I bet you can see now where the "Beutel Trailblazers" comes from. |
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He also sponsored children involved in 4-H. To find out more about this and his ranch, visit the Lake Jackson Historical Museum. You can learn a lot from his talking exhibit as well as enjoy many pictures and stories about him.
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He was good at other hobbies, too. He enjoyed photography, archery, woodworking, enameling, and metal working as well. He spoke German and enjoyed fine cooking. He collected rocks and minerals as well as cut, polished, and mounted gems.
Dr. Beutel did not learn to speak English until he was of school age. This earned him the nickname of "Dutch" that stuck with him all his life.
To learn more about Dr. Beutel, visit the Lake Jackson Historical Museum or visit their web site at: http://www.lakejacksonmuseum.org/
