SAM BEASLEY - An able member of the Bentonville bar and junior partner in the law firm of Floyd & Beasley. was born in Murfreesboro, Tennessee, March 2, 1882, a son of B. F. and Ann (Bowen) Beasley, likewise natives of that state, where they continued to reside until 1896. In that year they made their way to Benton county, Arkansas, where the father engaged in agricultural pursuits. They were faithful members of the Christian church and Mr. Beasley gave his political allegiance to the populist party. He died in 1903, but the mother is living, making her home at Hiwasse, Arkansas. Of the children born to their union five are living, namely: Sam, of this review; Joe. who is a leading lawyer of Bentonville and is now serving as county judge of Benton county; Hattie. who is filling the office of postmistress of Hiwasse; Esther, who resides at home and is engaged in teaching a country school; and Noble, who is attending the West Point Military Academy.
Mr. Beasley attended the public schools of Benton county and the Normal School at Pea Ridge, Arkansas, after which he began the study of law in the office of W. B. Horsley, prosecuting attorney for the fourth judicial circuit. Having mastered the principles of jurisprudence, he was admitted to the bar in 1910. after passing the required examination, and later was made deputy circuit clerk, which position he continued to fill for.a period of four years. In 1914 he was elected circuit clerk and for four years was the incumbent in that office, after which he became associated in practice with Judge Floyd under the style of Floyd & Beasley, a relationship that has since been maintained. They rank with the leading law firms of the locality. Mr. Beasley is a capable attorney, well versed in all branches of the law, and his ability is manifest in the logic of his deductions and the clearness of his reasoning.
Mr. Beasley was united in marriage to Miss Minnie Banks, a native of Hiwasse, Benton county, and a daughter of Houston Banks, a pioneer farmer of this county who served as a soldier in the Confederate army during the Civil war. Mr. and Mrs. Beasley have become the parents of a son. Sam, Jr., aged five years. They are members of the Christian church and Mr. Beasley gives his political allegiance to the democratic party. Fraternally he is identified with the Independent Order of Odd Fellows, of which he is a past grand chancellor, and he is also a prominent Mason, belonging to the blue lodge, of which he is a past master; to the chapter, of which he has been made secretary, and to the commandery, of which he is now serving as eminent commander. He holds to high standards in his law practice.
Mr. Beasley passed away May 19, 1950. He is buried in the Mt. Pleasant Cemetery in Hiwasse.