Part of the Indiana Biographies Project
Benjamin F. Beeson
This gentleman, one of the most prominent and successful farmers of Wayne county, whose home is in Washington township, was born on the farm where he yet resides, August 11, 1824, and is a worthy representative of one of the most distinguished pioneer families of this region, being a son of Benjamin and Dorcas (Starbuck) Beeson, natives of North Carolina, where their marriage was celebrated. The paternal grandparents were Benjamin and Phoebe Beeson, and the former was the son of Isaac Beeson, who was of the sixth generation in direct descent from Edward Beeson, the founder of the family in the New World. He was reared in Lancastershire, England, where George Fox originated the Society of Friends, and with that denomination the family became connected. Edward Beeson came to America in 1632 with one of William Penn's colonies and located first in Pennsylvania, later removed to a Quaker settlement in Virginia, and subsequently to one near Wilmington, Delaware. He had four sons, - Edward, Richard, Isaac and William. Of these Isaac went to North Carolina, and from him the Indiana branch of the family is descended. They continued their connection with the Society of Friends until coming to this state, but finally left it, and they wished to be more enterprising and progressive than accorded with the customs of that sect. However, they still adhered to the good religious qualities of the Friends' church, doing all the good possible and as little harm. Three brothers came to Indiana: Isaac settled near Richmond, Wayne county, in 1812; Benjamin located where our subject now resides, in 1814, and Thomas, on first coming to the county in 1818, lived with Benjamin for a few years and then bought the farm where his son, Elwood, now resides. Although they came here in limited circumstances, they were soon in possession of comfortable competencies, secured by their enterprise, energy, industry and perseverance, and, in advancing their own interests, did much toward the building up and beautifying of their adopted county. They also won the respect and confidence of the entire community.
Benjamin Beeson, father of our subject, was a blacksmith and wagonmaker by trade, and before leaving North Carolina made himself a good wagon, in which he brought his family to this state with a four-horse team. While on the road he sold the wagon and after his arrival in Wayne county returned it to the purchaser in Tennessee and rode his horses back to Indiana. In 1813 he had come to this section of the state and selected his tract of land, which he entered at Cincinnati. On bringing his family here the following year he left them with his brother Isaac while he delivered the wagon. On his return he erected a cabin upon his place, and began the arduous task of clearing and improving the wild land, which he at length transformed into a fine farm. He soon found out that eighty acres adjoining his one-hundred-and-sixty-acre tract was for sale, and as he desired it and had no money, he again went to Tennessee, where he was able to borrow the needed money, at twenty-five per cent. For three years he made a trip to that state to pay the interest and was then able to cancel the debt. His family assisted him in every possible way, spinning, weaving and making all the clothes needed, and as prosperity crowned their combined efforts the boundaries of the farm were extended from time to time, and the father was at length able to give to all of his children a good home. He was ever a friend to the poor and needy, was charitable and benevolent, and the latchstring of his cabin was always out. Many an early settler has been aided by him, and in assisting in opening up the country to civilization Wayne county owes to him a debt of gratitude which can never be repaid. In connection with general farming, he engaged in stock-raising, and in early days drove his hogs to Cincinnati, while he went to Lawrenceburg on the Ohio river to mill. He was a strong Democrat in politics, and most acceptably served as justice of the peace for many years, his decisions being always final. When he had a log-rolling his neighbors would come from far and near without his notifying them as he was held in high regard by the entire community and had a host of warm friends. Although he was a member of no religious denomination he led an upright, honorable life and will certainly reap the reward of the just. For many years he suffered with one of his legs, and as amputation was at length necessary he made his will, giving everything to his wife, and prepared to die if the operation was not successful. He lived only a month after it was performed, dying March 1, 1852, at the age of sixty-four years. His wife survived him many years and passed away in October, 1872. She was a devoted wife and affectionate mother. To this worthy couple were born eleven children, the birth of the first two occurring in North Carolina, the others in Indiana. They were as follows: Bezaleel; Othniel; Templeton; Delilah, wife of John Patterson; Rachel, wife of James Harvey; Gulelma, wife of William Dick; Cinderella, wife of William Harvey; Benjamin F., our subject; Amanda M., wife of Thomas Emerson; Mark D., a prominent farmer of Wayne county; and Charles, who died in 1852. Only three are now living: our subject, Mark D. and Mrs. Dick, of Kansas.
Benjamin F. Beeson, of this review, was reared on the farm where he still resides, and obtained his education in the subscription schools which he attended for three months during the winter season. The school-house was a primitive structure, built of logs, with a puncheon floor, and seats also of puncheons, with pegs for legs. He remained at home until his marriage, in January, 1848, when he located upon a tract of new land given him by his father, and during the four years he resided there he placed eighty acres under cultivation, and built thereon a commodious residence, to replace the little log cabin where he commenced his domestic life. He and his wife then returned to the old homestead to care for his widowed mother in her declining years. He purchased the interest of the other heirs in the place, and there continues to reside. He has cleared sixty-five acres of the two hundred and forty-acre farm, erected thereon a pleasant residence, large barns and other outbuildings, and now has one of the finest improved farms of the locality. The place is conveniently located, three and a half miles south of Milton, and is adorned with a beautiful grove of ornamental trees. He has successfully engaged in both farming and stock-raising, and has bought large tracts of land, most of which he has given to his children, except one tract which he sold. He still retains the old homestead, however, and is still actively engaged in his chosen calling.
In January, 1848, Mr. Beeson married Miss Catherine Howard, who was born in Wayne county, January 22, 1827. Her parents, John and Sarah (Calaway) Howard, natives of North Carolina, came to the county about 1814 and located at Nolan's Fork, where the father entered and improved the farm now occupied by Elijah Hurst. There his children were all born, but he final1y sold the place and moved to Madison county, Indiana, where he improved another farm. On disposing of that place he returned to Wayne county and bought the farm where the Valley Grove church now stands. After his children were al1 grown, he gave that farm to a son and bought a small piece of land in the same neighborhood, built a residence thereon and spent the remainder of his life upon that place. In politics he was a Democrat. He was three times married and by the first union had two sons: Samuel and Joseph. The latter, an able financier, died at the age of forty-eight years, leaving a fine estate. There was one son, Charles, by the last marriage. Twelve children, two sons and ten daughters, were born of the second union. The following are most of their names: Mary E., wife of N. Waymore; Sarah, wife of B. Hurst; Mrs. S. Dwiggins; Geddia, wife of James Thorp; Rachel, wife of E. Waymore; Cynthia, wife of A. Lowery; Catherine, wife of our subject; John A., a resident of Franklin, Indiana; Neill, of Oklahoma; and Margaret, widow of M. Pursnett and a resident of Kansas. The children born to our subject and his wife were: William, who died in 1873, aged twenty-two years; Oliver H., a prominent farmer of Wayne county; Joseph F., who died in 1873, aged eighteen years; Elizabeth, wife of Albert Williams, a farmer of Wayne county; Sanford G., who died in 1873, aged thirteen years; Elmer E., who conducts a meat market in Cambridge City; Ira J., who died in infancy; May, wife of J. Coyne, a farmer; and Minnie, wife of F. Flora. The wife and mother died April 14, 1873, her death and that of her three children occurring within four months and being caused by spinal meningitis.
Mr. Beeson was again married in 1879, his second union being with Miss Kate Roadcap, who was born in Virginia, August 5, 1844, but was only eight years old when brought to Indiana by her parents, Henry and Lydia (Myres) Roadcap, also natives of the Old Dominion. Her father improved a farm in Henry county, where he still resides, at the age of eighty-four years. He is of German descent and a consistent member of the Dunkard church. After the death of Mrs. Beeson's mother he married again. His children are: Elizabeth, wife of Milton Rains; Frances, wife of Conrad Koontz; Mary, wife of Joab Rains; Barbara, wife of George Mathias; Kate, B. F. Beeson, Benjamin F., Joseph and Peter. Mr. Beeson has no children by his second marriage.
Politically, Mr. Beeson follows in the footsteps of his father and gives his support to the Democracy, and though he has often been solicited by his friends to accept office he has steadily refused, as he cares nothing for political honors. He is very charitable, being always ready to respond to the appeals of the needy and distressed, and ever ready to pay his last respects to the dead. He is one of the most honored and highly esteemed citizens of his community, and it is safe to say that no man in Wayne county has a wider circle of friends and acquaintances than Benjamin F. Beeson.
Source:
Biographical and Genealogical History of Wayne, Fayette, Union and Franklin Counties, Indiana, Volume 1, The Lewis Publishing Company, Chicago, 1899
B. F. Beeson, fourth son of Benjamin and Dorcas Beeson, was born Aug. 11, 1824, on the farm where he now resides. He was reared to a farmer's life and obtained a limited education in the primitive log school-house. He was first married Jan. 22, 1848, to Catherine, daughter of John and Sarah Howard, old settlers of this county. Of nine children born to them, five are now living — Oliver H., Lizzie (wife of Albert Williams), Elmer E., May F., and Minnie E. William M. died April 1, 1873, aged twenty-two years. Mrs. Beeson died April 14, 1873, aged forty-seven years. Sanford G. died May 10, 1873, aged thirteen years. Joseph F. died Aug. 8, 1873, aged nineteen years. Ira J. died Aug. 13, 1863, aged eighteen months. After his marriage Mr. Beeson resided on a farm adjoining the old homestead five years, when, upon the death of his father, he settled on the home farm where he has since carried on farming and stock-raising, having 300 acres of fine land. Jan 22, 1879, he was married to Kate, daughter of Henry and Lydia Roadcap. Mr. Beeson has three married children, two sons and a daughter, located on farms in sight of the homestead, given them by their father. Politically he is a Democrat.
Source:
History of Wayne County, Indiana. Chicago: Inter-State Publishing Co. 1884. Volume 2