Joseph Edgar Beasley

Joseph Edgar Beasley was born in Linton, Indiana, April 26, 1876, and, believing that better business opportunities existed at his own door than elsewhere, remained in his native town. He attended the common schools in Stockton township, Greene county; also the normal school at Danville, Indiana, where he prepared himself for a teacher and successfully followed this profession for five terms, then took a law course in the University of Indiana and was admitted to the bar in 1900, and practiced law for two years, but on account of failing health gave up regular practice and spent two years in outside work, after which he went into the real estate business, in which he is now engaged. He was married in August, 1898, to Mina J. Crabtree, daughter of Isaac and Sarah Crabtree, of Linton. One daughter was born to this union, Theodocia Theresa, who is now (1908) eight years old. Mrs. Beasley was born and reared on a farm in Wright township, Greene county. Her father is deceased; her mother is a resident of Linton. The subject and wife are members of the Baptist church. He is a Democrat in political belief and served two creditable years as city attorney of Linton.

Isaac Beasley, the father of the subject, was born in Lawrence county, Indiana, October 30, 1846, and married Elizabeth Clayton, a native of Greene county. They have spent the major part of their lives in the last named county. Mr. Beasley has been a successful farmer, having spent most of his life on a farm, now owning one hundred and sixty acres of good land and has a beautiful country home. Six sons and six daughters have been born to this union, all living but one. They are: Linus W., Jennie, William, deceased; Martha, Joseph E., subject; Isom, Sarah, Virgie, Nora, Chloe, Isaac, Jr., and Milton. The paternal ancestors of Isaac Beasley were of English and German extraction. Some of them lived in North Carolina. They were engaged mostly in agricultural pursuits. Alexander Beasley, grandfather of the subject, was one of the first pioneers of western Greene county, Indiana. He was an active churchman, a Missionary Baptist, helping organize and establish a church of this denomination on one corner of the Beasley homestead, which has been perpetuated to the present time. He and his wife are buried in the cemetery near the church. His maternal grandfather, Linus Clayton, came to America from England and was one of the earliest settlers, of whom there are many descendants living in Greene county, Indiana. The parents of the subject and their family and most of the connection are members of the Baptist church and people of the highest integrity.

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"Biographical Memoirs of Greene County, Ind. with Reminiscences of Pioneer Days", B.F. Bowen & Co., Indianapolis, IN, 1908, pages 946-948.

Last updated 8.11.2009