Wayne County Biographies



Part of the Indiana Biographies Project



Benjamin B. Beeson

Benjamin B. Beeson, only son of Isaac W. and Mary (Branson) Beeson, was born March 17, 1843, on the old homestead on which he now resides, one-half mile west of Dalton, Wayne Co., Ind. He is of medium stature (five feet, ten inches), and weight (150 pounds), fair complexion and gray eyes. He is a member of the Society of Friends.

He was married Oct. 14, 1865, to Olinda Lamb, daughter of Thomas and Elvira (Finch) Lamb. They have four children — Isaac Francis, born Aug. 13, 1866; Mary Lenora, born Jan. 23, 1868; Edward Orton and Frederick Loton (twins), born July 3, 1877. For many generations the eldest son of the eldest son has been named Benjamin and Isaac, alternately. Benjamin B. Beeson, like his father, has devoted the most of his time to his home and farm, although now engaged in the goods business at Dalton.

Realizing the need of better roads in the neighborhood, he has devoted much time, and attention, as well as means, to their construction. He assisted, financially and otherwise, in the construction of the Dalton Turnpike, of which he has been Treasurer since its construction, in 1876. He has also been Secretary and Treasurer of the Hagerstown and Bluntsville Turnpike the past six years and through his influence it has been made one of the best roads in the county. The two miles and over of free gravel roads adjoining his premises are sufficient evidence of his enterprise in this respect.





Seeing the great need of co-operation and improvement among farmers, he became a charter member of Nettle Creek Grange, No.735, of which he is still a member. He has represented the grange in the County Council, and the county in the State Grange. No. 735 is one of the few granges that has stood the storms of many winters. It has scarcely missed a meeting since its organization; has a good building of its own, a good membership and attendance, and is doing ranch for the education and improvement of its members. For the purpose of encouraging the agricultural interests of this section of the county, a few kindred spirits organized the Wayne, Henry and Randolph County Agricultural Association in September, 1880, of which Mr. Beeson is President. Despite many disadvantages, this society has been very successful and gained an enviable reputation among societies of its kind. The Indiana Farmer sent a representative to the fourth annual exhibition, held at Dalton, Ind., Sept. 4-7, 1883, from whose report we quote as follows: "Can a fair be made a success without racing and its attendant evils? This question has often been asked, but has been left to the managers of Dalton fair to answer that it can. The present is the fourth exhibition made by the society, and though racing, side-shows, games of chance, and everything of that class, so prominent at other fairs, are banished from the grounds, yet their fairs have increased from year to year, both in attendance and display. Much of the success is due to the energy of B. B. Beeson, the President, and Joel Replogle, Secretary."

Politically, the sympathies of Mr. Beeson are with the producer and against monopolies, rings and party corruption. He heartily supported the administration of Lincoln, and the election of Grant for his first term, but became dissatisfied with his administration, and for several years was a member of the National Central Committee of Wayne County, though he often voted independent of party. Financially he has been successful, is the largest tax-payer in the township, owning at the present time over 800 acres of land within its limits, being industrious and a large employer of labor. Great improvements have been made in all property he has controlled.

Source:
History of Wayne County, Indiana. Chicago: Inter-State Publishing Co. 1884. Volume 2