Wayne County Biographies



Part of the Indiana Biographies Project



Isaac W. Beeson

Isaac W. Beeson was born in Randolph County. N. C., Dec. 19, 1789, the eldest son of Benjamin and Margaret (Hockett) Beeson. ELe was of medium height (five feet, eight inches), and weight (145 pounds), fair complexion, dark hair and light-brown eyes. He was not very robust, but, being very temperate in his habits, enjoyed fair health till past middle age. He acquired a good education for the time and taught school at different times. He learned the trade of a wheelwright when young, which he followed as occasion required as long as he lived, though he lived to see this once flourishing business obsolete, except for slight repairs. For many years he made it a point to lay up $100 a year from his trade, and in those times it required great industry to do so.

The greater part of four years was spent in settling his brother William's estate, which was scattered over North and South Carolina, Virginia, Tennessee and Georgia, he being a great trader. This he did traveling alone on horseback, usually starting with a pair of saddle-bags and one large wheel and two small ones, which were sold at the first opportunity. During this time he had many adventures, mishaps and escapes, the details of which are lost. William was his favorite brother, and he always spoke in the highest terms of his brother William's ability and integrity.

Early in life he became devotedly attached to Mary, daughter of Joseph and —— (Pickett) Branson, which was reciprocated, but, owing to interference of relatives, the intimacy was kept up only at rare intervals during his stay in "The Old North State."

In the spring of 1822 he started for the then Great West. His outfit for the journey was one horse, a rustic cart, a skillet, a small pot for boiling vegetables, a tin pan or two, an outfit of pewter dishes for one, an ax, and a small supply of provisions, all of which, except the provisions, served for many other like journeys. He usually traveled alone and slept in the cart, seldom keeping company with other travelers. He landed in Wayne County, Ind., about eight weeks from the time of starting, in good spirits, but, like his outfit, worn and looking rather seedy. He examined the country pretty thoroughly, attended the land sales at Brookville, and made a number of entries, among others 240 acres of the land in Dalton Township, where he lived and died, and where his son, Benjamin B. Beeson, now resides. In those davs hilly land with springs and running water was most sought after, the "flats" being regarded as worthless. Toward the fall of the same year he wended his way back to the sunny South and worked at his trade till 1828, when he again, in the same manner, visited his possessions in the wilderness of Indiana. Many interesting incidents occurred while making these journeys. On one occasion, while traveling through Virginia, he ventured to put up with a settler, but the conversation and actions of the family not suiting him, he went out to sleep in his cart, and finally went to a large wood and passed the night. On returning in the morning he found that his cart and the .neighborhood had been thoroughly searched for him. He learned afterward that the place was a rendezvous for the rogues of that mountain country. Old "Foxy," his horse, sometimes failed to see the propriety of climbing so many mountains. On one occasion he backed off the road until the cart became his master, and cart, horse and all went bumping and dragging down the mountain side several hundred feet, and came near tumbling into the Kanawha River. But, strange to say, old "Foxy" was ready for business, having only a few bruises and being minus a large quantity of hair. He gave no more trouble, however, during that trip.





At this time, 1828, there was quite a rush to Indiana from the older States, and many a race was made to Brookville and Indianapolis for "Congress land." Mr. Beeson entered several tracts in different parts of the State, and again returned South before winter. In the spring of 1833 he took his last view of the red gullies and sedge fields of his native State, and settled near Franklin, Wayne Co., Ind., where his father and several brothers had preceded him. The firm of Beeson Brothers, composed of S. H., B. F. and Ithamar Beeson, were doing a large mercantile business, handling everything from a drove of hogs to a coon skin, and furnishing goods to a large section of country. They also ran a tan-yard, grist-mill, etc. The town became widely known as "Beeson Town." Times were flush and speculation ran wild; every body seemed to be getting rich. But the end came; the bottom fell out of prices, as it were; pork sold for $1.25 per hundred, net; confidence was gone; and the Beeson Brothers found their business and fortunes hopelessly wrecked, Isaac W. losing heavily as security. During all this time the old attachment between himself and Mary Branson existed, and in the fall of 1837 she left home and friends in North Carolina to join her fortunes with his. She arrived in Wayne County safely, and Feb. 27, 1838, they were married. An only son, Benjamin B., was born to them, March 17, 1843.

Mr. Beeson took an active interest in the political and religious questions of his day. A member of the Society of Friends, he took sides with the anti-slavery ring. His views in church matters were of the most liberal kind, taking the ground that all Christians should become one brotherhood and one church, uniting on the vital principles of Christianity, but having perfect freedom of belief in regard to forms, ceremonies, etc. In politics he held that the people should govern in all things, direct; that all officers should be deemed servants, and receive wages only for services rendered; that all money should be made or issued by the Government and loaned to the people at a low rate of interest, said interest to be used for improvements and expenses, in lieu of taxes. These views were advanced by him long before the Rebellion, and MSS. left show that he was an original thinker and a writer of much ability. In financial matters his judgment was good, having acquired quite a competence. Of a quiet disposition he never sought public favor in the way of office; would usually suffer heavily rather than go to law, believing in arbitration, both between individuals and nations.

He lost his companion Oct. 10, 1851, and never again married. She was a woman of kind and benevolent disposition — one of the few who had no enemies. Although his health was poor at this time he survived her twenty years, and died of an attack of pleurisy, Nov. 26, 1871, aged eighty-two years, and was buried in the Friends' graveyard at Nettle Creek, near his faithful partner in life's joys and sorrows.

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