Encyclopedia of the history of Missouri, a compendium of history and biography for ready reference, Vol. I, Part 36

Author: Conard, Howard Louis, ed. 1n
Publication date: 1901
Publisher: New York, Louisville [etc.] The Southern history company, Haldeman, Conard & co., proprietors
Number of Pages: 856

USA > Missouri > Encyclopedia of the history of Missouri, a compendium of history and biography for ready reference, Vol. I > Part 36

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Beattie, Thomas Jefferson, is a na- tive of Missouri, born in Harrisonville, July 27, 1863. His parents were Dr. Thomas and Martha Stuart (Byers) Beattie, both natives of Belfast, Ireland, who were unknown to each other, however, until they met. in Quebec, Canada, where they were married. The father was a graduate of the University of Edinburg. and a student under the renowned Sir James Simpson. After graduation he was for a time assistant in the University dispensary. In the capacity of a physician he made a voyage in a

whaler to Greenland, and afterward went to Canada. Somewhat later, accompanied by his wife, he went to Cincinnati, Ohio, whence; in 1849, they traveled overland to Cass County, Missouri, where both are yet living. For forty years the senior Dr. Beattie was an active practitioner in Cass County, retiring about 1890 to enjoy and care for a handsome fortune accumulated through his thrift and enterprise. His son, Thomas Jefferson, began his educa- tion in the schools of Cass County, and com- pleted the senior course in the Missouri State University in 1880. The disposition and ani- ple means of the father afforded him op- portunity to engage in various promising commercial ventures, but he was predisposed to medicine, of which he had gained some knowledge through intimate companionship with his parent. His course in life was finally determined when Dr. S. S. Todd, of Kansas City, came to visit Dr. Beattie in consultation, and incidentally suggested to the son that he should enter the profession. Within forty- eight hours young Beattie went to Kansas City and became a student under the distin- guished physician who had taken so kindly an interest in him. He entered the Kansas City Medical College, from which he was graduated in 1885, and then took a course in the Uni- versity Medical College of New York City, graduating in 1886. In March of the same year he entered upon practice in Kansas City. While busying himself in all the departments of general practice, Dr. Beattie has preference for the diseases of women, including gyne- cology, and for abdominal and pelvic surgery, and in these lines he is regarded as among the most capable in the profession. Attestation of his professional standing appears in the im- portant positions to which he has been called at various times. In the year of his coming he was made demonstrator of anatomy in the Kansas City Medical College, and occupied the position until 1893, when he was called to the chair of clinical gynecology, which he con- tinues to occupy. He was among the founders of the Woman's Medical College in 1895, and was elected president and professor of dis- eases of women. After two years he relin- quished the former position, retaining the latter to the present time. He is a member of the American Medical Association, the Mis- souri State Medical Society, the Jackson County Medical Society, the Kansas City Dis- trict Medical Society, and the Academy of

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Medicine, and in the latter was among the charter members. He has been a valued con- tributor to various medical journals, and has read papers before the medical bodies in which he holds membership, on those branches of medical science which more particularly en- gage his attention. Unassertive in his bearing, he commands that confidence which is reposed in those regarded as masterful in their calling, and as possessed of that kindly feeling and deep personal sympathy which forms so strong a bond between physician and patient and proves so great an aid toward restoration of health. In politics Dr. Beattie is a Democrat, allying himself with the gold wing of his party. He was among the original members of the University Club, which was afterward merged into the Kansas City Club. In 1889 Dr. Beat- tie married Miss Clara Chouteau, of St. Louis, a lineal descendant of Pierre Chouteau, who was conspicuous among the founders of the great State of Missouri, and whose name ap- pears upon many pages of the "Encyclopedia of the History of Missouri." Mrs. Beattie was educated at the famous Monticello Seminary, at Godfrey, Illinois. She holds a high position in society and in various literary and social bodies.

Beatty, Albert Henry Clay, jeweler, was born November 18, 1845, in Independ- ence, Missouri. His father, Albert Lewis Beatty, was born in Philadelphia about 1814, and died in 1886 at his home in Independence. When a young man he learned the trade of jeweler, and, removing to Independence in 1844, established the oldest store of the kind in that city. At one time it was the largest jew- elry store in Jackson County. Politically he was a Whig before the Civil War. After that strife he associated himself with the believers in Republican doctrines. The only political office held by him was that of member of the city council of Independence from the Second Ward. He was a member of the Christian Church; was a deacon and trustee in the church for many years, and, being an architect of natural talent, drew the plans for the First Christian Church in Independence. He was married, in Muscatine, lowa, to Jane H. Summers, who survives him in her seventy- third year. Mrs. Beatty was born in England, and was brought to this country in her mother's arms. To Mr. and Mrs. Beatty four

children were born. A. H. C. Beatty was edu. cated in the schools of Independence and St. Louis, and at Bryant's Commercial College in St. Joseph, Missouri. The trade of jeweler and silversmith was inherited, and when he was a young man he began work of this kind with his father. After the death of the latter the son took the business, which had been es- tablished in 1844, and has since that time de- voted his faithful attention to it. Previous to his engagement in business he had spent a year and a half in the office of the recorder of Jackson County, two years as a bookkeeper in St. Louis and one year in Chicago. Mr. Beatty is a musician of accomplishment, and devotes considerable attention to the study of the vio- lin. His military service during the Civil War was as a member of Captain Peter Hinter's company of State militia, and he participated in a number of the skirmishes that were fought in western Missouri. Politically he was a Re- publican for several years after the war, later affiliated with the Greenback party, and is now a champion of the principles of Populism. During the seventies he was a candidate on the Republican ticket for the office of county recorder. Mr. Beatty is a progressive, patri- otic man, and comes from a family whose members have been prominent in the circles of their association. His brother, Charles E., is a printer in Kansas City, Missouri, and his two sisters, Mrs. Emma Jane Moore and Mrs. Julia A. Atkinson, reside in Independence.

Beanchamp, William, clergyman, was born in Kent County, Delaware, April 26, 1772. He became a preacher in the Methodist Episcopal Church, served with favor in Boston and New York, settled in Chillicothe, Ohio, and for a few years edited and published a monthly magazine, in advance of all Methodist publications of to-day. In a local preacher capacity he founded a Method- ist settlement at Mount Vernon, Illinois. In 1822 he entered the Missouri Conference, and became the second Methodist pastor in St. Louis. The next year he was put in charge of the Indiana district, where he died in Octo- ber, 1824. He was a preacher of wonderful eloquence, and in the General Conference pre- ceding his death he came within two votes of being elected bishop. To his abilities as a preacher and writer he added the knowledge of the Latin, Greek and Hebrew languages.

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BEAUJOLAIS-BEDFORD.

Beaujolais, Comte de .- A brother of Louis Philippe. afterward king of France, who visited the French settlement at St. Louis about the year 1797.

Beaumont Hospital Medical Col-

lege .- The foundation of this institution was laid in 1886, at the old church of Rev. Dr. Brooks, at the corner of Sixteenth and Wal- nut Streets, St. Louis. It was named in honor of Dr. William Beaumont, a distin- guished surgeon and author, who practiced his profession for some years in St. Louis. After occupying the old church above men- tioned for some time that building was de- stroyed by fire, and the college was then re- moved to its present location at 2600 Pine Street. This is one of the well known medi- cal educational institutions of the West, and a large number of the most distinguished phy- sicians and surgeons of the city are connected with it as instructors. It has numerous hos- pitals under its control, and hence is able to extend to its classes the best clinical ad- vantages.

Beaumont, William, physician, born in Lebanon, Connecticut, in 1796; died in St. Louis, April 25. 1853. He was a surgeon in the United States Army, and when stationed at Mackinac, Michigan, in 1822, had occasion to treat a young man named Alexis St. Mar- tin, who had received the discharge of a shot- gun in his left side. By good care the wound was healed, but an opening remained about two and one-half inches in diameter, pene- trating into the stomach. Through this ap- perture Dr. Beaumont was able to watch the process of digestion and to make experiments, extending over a series of years, regarding the digestibility of the different kinds of food and the effect upon the stomach of alcohol and various drugs: and he was the first to obtain the gastric juice and study its proper- ties. The results of these physiological experiments were published in 1883. and at- tracted much attention in America and Eu- rope. After resigning from the army Dr. Beaumont practiced medicine in St. Louis. and he continued the experiments upon St. Martin until his own death.

Bedford. - A village in Livingston County, on the Wabash Railroad, about twelve miles southeast of Chillicothe, on the

south bank of Grand River. It was laid out in 1843. There are coal mines near the town. It has a public school, two churches- Baptist and Methodist Episcopal-and about ten business places, including stores, shops. etc. Population, 1899 (estimated), 200.

Bedford, Henry Hale, lawyer, was born November 27, 1821, in Gainesborough, Jackson County, Tennessee, son of J. M. and Elizabeth (Hale) Bedford. The elder Bedford studied law in early life, but later found him- self inclined to commercial pursuits and en- gaged in merchandising. He was a conscien- tious Christian gentleman, noted locally as an ardent advocate of temperance. He came to Missouri in 1844. and died shortly afterward at the home of his son, Henry H. Bedford. The son received, in early life, a common school education in Obion County, Tennessee, to which county his parents removed in 1824. He began teaching school while still a youth, and was thus employed for three years in Obion County. With the money thus earned he purchased a farm in what was then Scott County, Missouri, his land being at the foot of Wolf Island, on the Mississippi River. In 1840 he established his home in Missouri, fol- lowing farming as an occupation. While thus employed he studied law under the preceptor- ship of Judge Hough, who came to Missouri from Kentucky, and was also engaged in agri- cultural pursuits. At a later date Judge Hough became prominent in judicial circles in this State. He was a sound lawyer. and Mr. Bedford received careful training under his tutorage. Mr. Bedford remained on his farm until the memorable flood of 1844 drove him inland. He then established his home in Bloomfield, Stoddard County, which was a town of some one hundred and fifty people, most of whom lived in log cabins. When he went to Bloomfield he informed the settlers there that he was a lawyer and proposed to make his living out of the practice of his pro- fession. They had at that time, however, little business for a member of the bar. but were in need of a good school teacher, and Mr. Bed- ford was called upon to fill that position for some months. He then turned his attention to the law and gradually built up a good prac- tice, and has long occupied a place among the leading lawyers of southeastern Missouri. In the early years of his practice he traveled over an extensive territory and became widely

Henry Ht. . Sei ford

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known. He frequently rode to Springfield, two hundred miles away, and many other seats of justice, remote from his home, were visited by him regularly in the discharge of his pro- fessional duties. Since 1844, and during a period of fifty-six years, he has been promi- nently before the people of southeastern Mis- souri, and he has contributed largely in many ways to the upbuilding and development of that portion of the State, and especially of Stoddard County. At the beginning of the Civil War he enlisted in the Confederate sery- ice, in the brigade commanded by General Jeff Thompson. After the battle at Belmont he was made major of the First Missouri Cavalry Regiment, and served in that capacity until the close of the war, retiring with an enviable record as a soldier and officer. In 1857 Major Bedford was elected a member of the Missouri Legislature, and served during the ensuing regular session and the two extra sessions of this Legislature, occasioned by the impeach- ment of Judge Albert Jackson. For twelve years he served as prosecuting attorney of the Tenth Judicial District, and gained distinction as an able and faithful representative of the public interests in that connection. In politics he is a Democrat, as were his father and grand- father before him. In another respect also hie has emulated the example of his father, being a total abstainer from the use of intoxicating liquors and tobacco and a warm advocate of temperance. He is a member of the Masonic order, and has taken the Royal Arch degrees. In July of 1852, Major Bedford married Mrs. Handy, whose maiden name was Lewis. This was his second marriage, his first wife having died shortly after their marriage. Eight chil- dren have been born of the second union, of whom three daughters are now living in Bloomfield. Mrs. Bedford, who is now ( 1900) seventy-nine years of age, is a wonderfully well preserved lady, and both she and her husband are among the most highly esteemed pioneers of Stoddard County.

Bedford, Thomas D., prominent as a physician and in various public positions in the line of his profession, was born August 9. 1856. in Georgetown, Kentucky, son of Greene and Caroline (Chinn) Bedford, natives of the same State. The father was a farmer, who re- moved to Missouri in 1867, locating near Na- poleon, in Lafayette County. The elder Bed- ford was a son of Archibald Bedford, also a

native of Kentucky, who contributed much to- ward the development of his section of the State, and who reared a family of fourteen children. His wife, the mother of Dr. Bed- ford, was a daughter of John Chinn, a man of great intelligence and much force of character. a large planter and civil engineer, and for many years surveyor of his county. Both par- ents were members of the Christian Church, in which the father was an elder for more than thirty years. Dr. Bedford received his pre- paratory education in schools of Kentucky and Missouri, his parents having removed from the former State when he was eleven years okl. In 1877 he entered upon the study of medicine in the office of a physician at Napoleon, Mis- souri, and two years afterward entered Belle- vue Hospital Medical College, New York, from which he was graduated in 1882. Imme- diately afterward he entered upon practice at Independence, Missouri, where he established an excellent reputation for proficiency in his profession and acquired considerable means. Of attractive personality, and deeply interested in the advancement of the best interests of the community, he enjoyed a wide popularity. For three years he occupied the position of county physician, and declined other prefer- ment as not being within the line of his pro- fession. Seeking a larger field of usefulness, he removed, in 1893. to Kansas City, Missouri, where he has since resided. In addition to the exactions of a large personal practice, he has since that time found additional occupation in various positions of a public nature, but always such as would not militate against his service as a practitioner. In 1893 he was appointed a member of the Board of Examining Surgeons for the Pension Bureau, and served a term of four years in that position. In discharge of the delicate and important duties devolved upon him in this capacity he acquitted himself with ability and fidelity, giving his conscientious endeavor to at once safeguarding the personal rights of the individual claimant, and those of the government. In 1894 he was elected cor- oner of Jackson County, and gave faithful per- formance to the duties of his office. He holds membership with the Kansas City Academy of Medicine, the Jackson County Medical So- ciety, and the Independence Medical Associa- tion. He is an influential member of the various bodies of the Knights of Pythias, and occupies the position of surgeon of the First Regiment, Uniform Rank of Missouri. In

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politics Dr. Bedford is a Democrat, and in re- ligion he is a member of the Christian Church.

Bedison .- A hamlet on the Wabash, St. Louis & Pacific Railroad, seven miles south- east of Maryville, in Nodaway County. It contains two stores, a blacksmith shop, a Christian Church and a school. It is sur- rounded by magnificent farming lands.

Beeson, Dell, lawyer, was born January 13, 1867, in Elwood, Indiana, son of William and Nannie (Eckols) Beeson. The family to which he belongs was planted in this country in early colonial times, its first representatives landing at Plymouth, Massachusetts. The branch of the family to which Mr. Beeson belongs settled at an early date in Virginia, and from that State migrated to Indiana. Mr. Beeson was educated in the public schools at Carthage, Missouri, and at Drury College, in Springfield, Missouri. After completing his academic studies he traveled extensively throughout the United States, visiting every state and territory in the Union. He also visited and traveled through various portions of Canada. IIe began the study of law under the preceptorship of W. T. Green, of Carthage, Missouri, noted throughout southwest Mis- souri as a criminal lawyer. He was with Mr. Green two years and until the death of that gentleman, after which he finished his law studies under the preceptorship of Honorable Howard Gray, of Carthage. He was admitted to the bar of Jasper County in 1894, when Judge William M. Robinson, now of the Missouri Supreme Court, was on the bench at Carthage. After his admission to the bar Mr. Beeson remained with Senator Gray until 1898, when he removed to Joplin and became a member of the bar of that city. He has since been in active practice there, devoting the greater share of his time to criminal law, and meeting with such success that he has seldom lost a case. In addition to his prominence as a criminal lawyer, he has gained distinction throughout southwestern Missouri as one of the ablest lawyers in that portion of the State in the trial of cases in which the dramshop law of Missouri is involved. He has taken somewhat active interest in military affairs and was at one time a member of the famous Carthage Light Guard. He was reared under Democratic political influences, but became a Republican when he attaine I his majority, and

had his first experience as a campaigner in aid- ing to elect his law preceptor, Honorable Howard Gray, to the State Senate of Missouri. Since then he has taken a very active part in politics and is one of the most prominent of the younger Republicans of southwest Mis- souri.

Beets, George W., farmer and stock raiser, was born in Cass County, Missouri, March 5, 1848. His parents were James W. and Elizabeth J. Beets. The father was a native of Tennessee, who came to Cass County, where he was married. He afterward, re- moved to Kansas, and in 1861 took up his residence in Jackson County; his death oc- curred in 1896. The mother, well advanced in years, is residing with her son, George W. Beets, on the old homestead. The last named has distinct remembrance of many scenes of the Kansas border troubles and of the Civil War. He received a common school educa- tion near the home farm, and upon this foundation established a substantial fund of practical information derived from attentive reading and discriminating observation. He is recognized among the most progressive and substantial farmers and stock breeders of Jackson County, and his estate of two hundred acres in the famous Blue Valley is unsurpass- able for fertility and beauty of landscape. He is a Democrat in politics, but too independent in character to render blind allegiance to a political body, and for this reason, he has at times acted with the Populists. His associates have recognized his sincerity of conviction and force of character, and he has been called upon to serve in many Democratic and Popu- listic conventions. He is a Master Mason, and holds membership with Independence Lodge, No. 76. He was never married, but main- tains a comfortable home for his aged mother, and dispenses a generous hospitality to a large circle of friends who hold him in high regard for his many admirable qualities.

Begley, George, merchant and manti- facturer, was born November 6, 1858, in Iron County, Missouri, son of Anselm and Theresa (Spitzmiller) Begley. He was reared in Iron County and received the practical education which fitted him for entering upon a success- ful business career in the public schools of Ironton. He then learned the blacksmith's trade and in 1878 went to Poplar Bluff, where

.555

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BELCHER-BELL.

he hung out the sign "George Begley, Black- smith and Wagonmaker." He had, to begin with, one assistant and his business was begun in a comparatively small way. Industry, thrift, economy and business sagacity brought to him, in the course of a few years, their legiti- mate reward, and as his enterprise prospered and his capital increased, he embarked in new lines of trade. As a result, he has built up an extensive business for the region in which it is carried on, and all kinds of hardware, farm implements, wagons and kindred commodities are now sold from his establishment, and with it is also connected a large undertaking department. Standing high as a merchant, he is esteemed also as a citizen, has a beautiful home, and his condition in life exemplifies what can be accomplished by a young man starting out in life without means, but not afraid to work. He is sole proprietor of both the store and wagon factory, which he con- duets and both he and his many friends take pardonable pride in the success which he has achieved as a man of affairs. He affiliates with the Democratic party but has been too much absorbed in business pursuits to take any active part in politics. A member of the Masonic order, he has filled all the offices in the lodge to which he belongs and he is also a member of the order of Knights of Pythias. In 18SI, he married Miss Mary Reynolds. of Madison County, Missouri, and four sons and three daughters have been born of this union. The living children are: George, Olive and Raymond Begley. Two sons and two daugh- ters are dead.

Belcher, William H., was born in Connecticut, in ISII, and died at Chicago, in 1866. While a boy he served as clerk in his father's store, and then went to the city of New York and secured a situation in a whole- sale grocery store. After this he went into the Southern States selling books. In 1840 he came to St. Louis and engaged in sugar refining with Samuel McLean. In 1843 he bought the whole establishment, and by his energy, intelligent management and econom- ical methods, which he introduced into the refining business, became the most famous sugar refiner in the United States, and made the Belcher refinery, located in the upper part of St. Louis, the largest and most successful establishment of the kind in the country. Belcher's sugar was for a time the only re-

fined sugar sold in the St. Louis market. At a later period the business was impaired by Eastern competition, and Mr. Belcher, leav- ing St. louis, went to Chicago and engaged in sugar refining, taking an active part in the beet sugar enterprise that was attracting at- tention in Illinois at the time; but he never recovered the good fortune that he had achieved and then lost in St. Louis.

Bell, Charles Christian, popularly known as "The Missouri Apple King," and a leading business man of Boonville, was born in Aldstadt, Germany, August 30, 1848, son of John Adam and Catherine Sophia Bell, and a descendant in the paternal line of Scotch ancestors who settled in Germany. His father, John Adam Bell, was born February 2, 1803, in the Dukedom of Nassau, where he received a practical education in leading schools, and, in early manhood, a thorough military train- ing. He was well informed in public affairs, and well fitted for public life and was honored with office at his native place. Taught to be self-reliant, a deep thinker, progressive, liberal and conscientious, he was opposed to despotism, and when the Revolution of 1848 occurred (the year his son, Charles C., was born), he was active in the effort to establish a German Republic. When the effort failed, he declared that none of his sons should serve a monarch, arranged his affairs to emigrate and, in the spring of 1854, he and his wife, with six sons and two daughters, started for America, which they reached at the end of a journey of over four months, and a stormy ocean voyage, in the course of which they suffered shipwreck and its resultant hardships. He located in Mis- souri, on a farm which he purchased, two miles south of Boonville, and which he successfully cultivated until his death, December 1I, 1865, During the Civil War he was a strong Union man and voted for Abraham Lincoln. His motto was: "Do right and fear no one."

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Encyclopedia of the history of Missouri, a compendium of history and biography for ready reference, Vol. I, Part 36

Author: Conard, Howard Louis, ed. 1n Publication date: 1901 Publisher: New York, Louisville [etc.] The Southern history company, Haldeman, Conard & co., proprietors Number of Pages: 856

Author: Conard, Howard Louis, ed. 1n
Publication date: 1901
Publisher: New York, Louisville [etc.] The Southern history company, Haldeman, Conard & co., proprietors
Number of Pages: 856