Silas Beason

BEASON, ASH, BLAIR

Posted By: Marthann Kohl-Fuhs (email)
Date: 3/22/2009 at 15:02:10

SILAS BEASON, one of Melville Township's prominent farmers and stockraisers, was a native of the State of Ohio, having been born in Greene County, near Xenia, January 28, 1836. He was the son of John and Elizabeth Beason, the father being one of Greene County's most prosperous farmers, of English ancestry. The early boyhood of Silas Beason was passed on the farm near Xenia, Ohio, and his first lessons were learned in the district schools. When a mere lad Mr. Beason moved with his parents to a farm near Atlanta, Logan County, Illinois, where he continued to assist on the farm until about nineteen years of age. He then attended Wesleyan University, at Delaware, Ohio, a few months, and returning to Illinois he began the study of law at Lincoln, Illinois, under Judge Lacy. In the meantime Mr. Beason was married October 9, 1856, to Miss Olive Ash, daughter of James and Ruth Ash, of Scotchancestry. Mrs. Beason was born in Indiana, and was brought with her parents to Illinois when a child. Mr. Beason moved to Lincoln, Logan County, Illinois, in 1860, and continued the study of law under difficulties. He was admitted to the bar at Springfield, Illinois, before the Supreme Court of the State, in March, 1859. He was elected mayor of Lincoln, and served five consecutive terms; after an interval of two years he was again elected mayor, and served two terms. He was elected a member of the Legislature in 1868, serving one term, and taking part in the introduction and passage of several important bills. Having retired from his legislative honors, Mr. Beason resumed the work of his profession, in which he had built up a large and lucrative practice. He held many offices but was not an office seeker, his disposition being retiring and modest. He took a lively interest in politics, affiliating with the Democratic party. He was a candidate for circuit judge in 1877 on the Democratic ticket; the circuit was composed of eight counties, and notwithstanding it was strongly Republican he was defeated by a small majority. Mr. Beason was a member of the I. O. O. F., and of the Knights of Honor, of Lincoln, Illinois. The pressure of business drew too heavily upon his physical strength and he was at last compelled to go in search of health. Having previously purchased many valuable acres of land in Audubon County, Iowa, in 1882 he retired from the practice of law, and removed with his family to the farm in Iowa, hoping to receive benefit in health by the change. He engaged in general farming and the breeding of fine livestock, including shorthorn cattle, horses, and hogs. Under his management these industries were a success, and his health was greatly improved. The farm is traversed by the east fork of the Nishnabotna River, and the land is of superior quality, well adapted to the growth of grain andthe raising of livestock. Mr. Beason planted many trees on his place, which serve as a protection from the heat and winds, and also add greatly to the beauty of the place. He displayed much judgment in the management of his farm, as well as great ability when acting as legal counselor. He was cut off in the prime of life, in the midst of his daily pursuits, by accidentally falling from a loaded wagon which passed over his body and inflicted injuries from which he died in a few hours, November 9, 1884. He was a devoted husband, a kind father, always generous toward public enterprises, and his untimely death was deplored by all who knew him. He left a large estate to his wife and children. Mr. and Mrs. Beason are the parents of the following named children Omar, a graduate of Lincoln University, died December 12, 1881, much lamented, at the age of twenty four years; Ida, a graduate of Monticello Seminary, is the wife of William S. Blair, of Aurora, Illinois; Ella, a graduate of Monticello Seminary, Godfrey, Illinois, is at home; John, who accidentally shot himself in crossing a barbed wire fence September 26, 1886, was a promising youth of many excellent qualities of head and heart; Lewis assists his mother on the farm; Rose and Olive are at home. Mrs. Beason, with the assistance of her son, is managing the farm of 1,700 acres, which is well stocked. She has shown much ability and skill in the care of the farm, which is one of the best improved in Melville Township, being furnished with all the modern conveniences and having most attractive surroundings.

1889 BIOGRAPHICAL HISTORY OF
SHELBY AND AUDUBON COUNTIES, IOWA
W. S. DUNBAR & CO., PUBLISHERS
113 ADAMS STREET, CHICAGO

pages 802-803