My Genealogy Hound

William M. Beal, of Edina, Mo., is a native of Butler County, Ohio, and was born December 13, 1819. He is a son of Daniel and Amy (Morris) Beal, natives of Kentucky. Our subject was reared to manhood, and educated in his native State and county, and there married Sarah McClamroch, and in 1843 came west to Indiana, where he followed the occupation of farming in Montgomery County for eight years. In 1851 he came to Knox County, Mo., and purchased a farm in Benton Township, where he resided until the last few years, since when his residence has been in Edina, having retired from active life. He was elected a member of the county court in 1857, and served six years. He was a Democrat up to 1860, and during the war was a Union man. In 1863, during the war, he was elected to the State Legislature on the Republican ticket, and was re-elected two years later; he served with honor and distinction, voting for the amendment of the constitution of the United States, serving on committee of ways and means; was also appointed on a special committee to investigate the sale of the railroad, and in other ways rendered much valuable service. Mr. Beal has four living children: Daniel D., James M., John P. and Mary P. (widow of Dr. P. G. H. Barnett). Mr. Beal is a Master Mason, and himself and wife are members of the Methodist Episcopal Church. He is recognized as one of Knox County’s most successful and highly respected citizens.