Sylvanus B. Bean was the postmaster at Brownfield and was breveted as a major during the Civil War.

Bean enlisted at age 43 in November 1861 as a 1st lieutenant in Co. A of the 11th Maine Infantry. A year later, he received a commission as a captain and assistant quartermaster in the Quartermaster's Department Regiment of U.S. Volunteers.

He was breveted as a major in March 1865 and promoted to full major in May 1865. He was mustered out in May 1866.