Fred Beell

Fred A. Beell (January 17, 1876 – August 5, 1933) was a German-born American professional wrestler and police officer.

Fred Beell
Birth nameFred A. Beell
Born(1876-01-17)January 17, 1876
West Prussia, Province of Prussia
DiedAugust 5, 1933(1933-08-05) (aged 57)
Marshfield, Wisconsin, U.S.
Professional wrestling career
Ring name(s)Fred Beell
Billed height5'6"[1]
Billed weight165 lb (75 kg)[1]
Debut1895
Retired1919

Early life

Fred Beell was born in West Prussia, Province of Prussia on January 7, 1876.[1] When he was three years old, his family migrated to the United States, settling in Marshfield, Wisconsin.[1] He attended Immanual Lutheran School as a child, and at the age of fourteen he began working at the Upham mill in Marshfield.[1] Beell joined the United States Army, serving in the Spanish–American War.[1] He married Anna Scheren on August 6, 1902.[1]

Professional wrestling career

Beell first became a professional wrestler in the late 1890s, during a time when professional wrestlers would fight numerous exhibition matches each month, keeping them on the road constantly.

On February 3, 1900, Beell defeated Ed Adamson, winning $238.50 for the match. On April 9, 1900, Beell defeated William West to become the Northwest Wrestling Champion. It was not until 1906 that he gained national attention, when he defeated Frank Gotch, the reigning American Heavyweight Wrestling Champion.[1][2] Gotch defeated him 16 days later in Kansas City.[3] He eventually quit wrestling in 1919.[1] After retiring, he became a police officer in Marshfield.[1]

Death

Beell died on August 5, 1933 in the line of duty.[1] Reports of his death were published in the Marshfield News-Herald and in a 1933 edition of True Detective Mysteries.[1] He was buried at Hillside Cemetery in Marshfield.[1]

Beell Stadium, home of the Marshfield Tigers football team, is named after him.[1]

Championships and accomplishments

References

  1. "Fred Beell". Marshfield Police Department. Archived from the original on February 20, 2009. Retrieved September 28, 2017.
  2. "Fred Beell Remembered and Honored at Police Memorial Ceremony". Cauliflower Alley Club. Archived from the original on May 29, 2006. Retrieved September 28, 2017.
  3. Wisconsin Historical Society. Wisconsin Local History & Biography Articles; "Milwaukee Journal"; "Marshfield", "WI"; "August 8, 1933"; viewed online at https://www.wisconsinhistory.org/Records/Newspaper/BA335
  4. "World Light Heavyweight Title". Wrestling-Titles. Retrieved September 28, 2017.
  5. "American Heavyweight Title". Wrestling-Titles. Retrieved September 28, 2017.
  6. "Fred Beell". Wisconsin Athletic Hall of Fame. Retrieved September 28, 2017.
  7. Oliver, Greg (2017-12-07). "Oooooh yeaaahhhh! PWHF announces Class of 2018". Slam! Sports. Canadian Online Explorer. Retrieved 2017-12-07.
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