During the past fifteen years he has been its president, and under his able management its business and prosperity have been very largely increased. He was also the builder of the works of the Northern Gas-Light Company in the Twenty-fourth Ward of New York City, and is the consulting engineer and one of the directors of that company. His thorough knowledge of the details of the business of illumination by gas has enabled Mr. Beal to produce many inventions, whose value and usefulness are widely recognized. Among these may be mentioned "Beal's Hydraulic Main," which is now in use in several of the largest works of the country, while his latest invention is a " Scrubber " for purifying gas, which bids fair to secure recognition as a valuable improvement.

Foreseeing the rapid growth of the Twenty-third Ward of the city of New York, Mr. Beal purchased extensive tracts of real estate, and is the owner of many houses in that district, and is also the president of a recently organized " Land and Improvement Company." He was largely instrumental in the establishment of St. Mary's Episcopal Church, which is built upon land formerly owne 1 by him. He is now a vestryman of St. Anne's Church, and intimately identified with its work.

The cause of popular education has found in him an active and liberal promoter. For six years he was a member of the board of trustees of Rutgers Female College, and is the present chairman of the board of school trustees of Morrisania. His connection with the public schools has been distinguished by the breadth of views which has been his characteristic in all other business affaii-s, and he has always felt an ardent interest in all that could advance their welfare and increase their usefulness. He has always been a strong advocate of the principles of the Republican party, but has declined repeated offers of nomination for political oflJce.