The 162 descendants of John and Margaret Long Boehm who attended the 100th Beahm reunion pose for a photograph July 9 at the family farm in Jackson Township where the event was held. Submitted photo

It began in 1923 as an annual summer gathering on the family farm, but 100 years later, the Beahm family reunion has grown to welcome 162 descendants of John and Margaret Long Boehm from across the United States.

Christine Meyer, whose husband, Randall, is a descendant of the Boehms’ son, Casper, explained that the original German spelling of the name was Böhm.

Spellings in the same extended family in the U.S. now include Beahm, Behm, Beam and Bame.

Meyer said the Boehms emigrated from Hassen-Darmstadt, Germany, around 1835 and are said to have arrived through the port of Baltimore.

The couple settled in what is now Unionville, Beaver County, where John practiced blacksmithing.

They later purchased a 96-acre farm in Jackson Township, just west of Evans City.

John and Margaret had eight children, and their grown sons and their families lived in farms on surrounding properties.

The centennial Beahm reunion was held this year July 9 at the farm originally owned by Casper Boehm.

The homestead benefited from the gas and oil boom of the latter half of the 1800s, when wells were developed on the property.

John died in 1860 at age 59. Margaret followed in 1884. They are interred at Evans City Cemetery.

Their son, Henry, served in the War of the Rebellion in Company B, 6th Regiment during the Civil War, and another son, John L. Beahm, was a commissioner and road supervisor in Jackson Township.

While the family reunion was hosted for many years on John and Margaret’s farm and included a competitive baseball game between the married and unmarried men of the extended family, it has been held in various community parks for the past 30 years.

The 100th anniversary of the Beahm reunion welcomed family from as far away as Alaska and included a tour of the original 1800s farmhouse, which is still in the Beahm family.

Beahm descendants enjoyed a presentation by the family historian, and many family members brought vintage collections, quilts, pictures and family recipes for viewing.

“Every year, we look forward to the family traditions, sharing heritage and stories to keep the Beahm family strong,” Meyer said.

The second floor of the restored Casper Beahm farmhouse, where the 100th Beahm family reunion was held on July 9. The Beahm family continues to farm the historic land. Submitted photo

Hay wagon with Beahm family reunion logo for the July 9 event. Submitted photo

Casper Beahm original farmhouse after renovation. Descendants of John and Margaret Long Boehm gathered for the 100th Beahm reunion July 9 at the Jackson Township farm. Submitted photo

The traditional reading of the minutes from the previous year’s Beahm reunion. Casper Beahm original farmhouse after renovation. Descendants of John and Margaret Long Boehm gathered for the 100th Beahm reunion July 9 at the Jackson Township farm. Submitted photo

The youngest Beahm descendants playing games in side yard of the historic Jackson Township family farm where the 100th Beahm reunion was held July 9. Submitted photo