Description1."... was born in Norway Maine, on may 21,1825.. In 1840 he was apprenticed to a Boston book-binder, returning to Norway ten years later to practice his trade" In 1855 he enlisted as a private in the Norway Light Infantry and would rise to captain. "Beal was probably the first man, and the Norway Light infantry , the first unit, to enlist for active duty in the state of Maine" appointed brigadier general November 30,1864. Ezra J. Warner, Generals In Blue, pgs. 26-27.