Judge Joe Beasley, a man of high intellectual attainments and a leading representative of the Bentonville bar, is now serving for the second term as judge of Benton county and his record upon the bench is in harmony with his record as a man and citizen—distinguished by marked fidelity to duty and by a masterful grasp of every problem presented for solution. He is a native of Tennessee and a representative of an old family of that state. He was born at Murfreesboro in 1884, a son of B. F. and Ann (Bowen) Beasley, who were also natives of that state, where they continued to make their home until 1896, when they removed to Benton county, Arkansas, the father following the occupation of farming. They were members of the Christian church and in his political views Mr. Beasley was a populist. He died in 1903, but the mother survives and is a resident of Hiwasse, Arkansas. Of their family five children are living: Sam, a prominent attorney of Bentonville; Joe, of this review; Hattie, who is serving as postmistress of Hiwasse; Esther, who resides at home and is a teacher in the country schools; and Noble, who is a student at the West Point Military Academy. The paternal grandfather, John E. Beasley, was a Confederate soldier, serving for four years in the Civil war. He married Catherine Hall, who is still residing in Tennessee, having reached the very advanced age of ninety-five years.
In the acquirement of an education Judge Beasley attended the district schools and the State Normal School of Arkansas, after which he entered Cumberland University at Lebanon, Tennessee, from which he was graduated in 1915 on the completion of a course in law. Coming to Bentonville, Arkansas, he opened an office and has since engaged in practice here. He has been accorded a good clientage, for he has displayed marked skill in the conduct of intricate cases and has won many verdicts favorable to the interests of those whom he represents. In 1918 his fellow townsmen, recognizing his worth and ability, called him to the office of county judge of Benton county, and so creditable a record did he make in that connection that he was honored with reelection in 1920 and is now serving in that capacity. He is strictly fair and impartial in all of his rulings and his decisions are sustained by the higher courts upon appeal.
On the 15th of June, 1920, Judge Beasley was united in marriage to Miss Kate Fair, a native of Benton county and a daughter of S. T. Fair, who was born in Tennessee and on reaching mature years followed the occupation of farming and also engaged in teaching school. Subsequently he removed to Benton county, Arkansas, where he enlisted for service in the Civil war. Mrs. Beasley is a member of the Methodist Episcopal church, South, while the Judge is affiliated with the Christian church. In his political views he is a stalwart democrat, active in the interests of the party, and he has been chosen to fill the office of justice of the peace. His fraternal connections are with the Independent Order of Odd Fellows and the Masons. He is a member of Hiwasse Lodge, F. & A. M., of which he is a past master, and he is also identified with the chapter. He holds to high ideals in his professional service and is proving an able presiding officer over the tribunal of which he has charge.
Mr. Beasley passed away in 1956 and is buried the Centerton Cemetery