Greene-Richmond City County Virginia USGenWeb Archives Biographies.....Beazley, Wyatt Sanford M.D. 1868 - ************************************************ Copyright. All rights reserved. http://www.usgwarchives.net/copyright.htm http://www.usgwarchives.net/va/vafiles.htm ************************************************ File contributed for use in USGenWeb Archives by: Alice Warner http://www.genrecords.net/emailregistry/vols/00015.html#0003503 March 10, 2009, 3:09 pm Author: Lyon Gardiner Tyler Wyatt Sanford Beazley, M. D. Dr. Beazley descends from the Beazleys of Greene county, Virginia, and through the marriage of his grandfather. Captain James Beazley, with Elizabeth (Betsey) Mills, from John Starke the elder, emigrant from Scotland, who on May 25, 1735, married Ann Wyatt. The line of descent is through John (2) Starke, born in Hanover county, Virginia, April 27, 1742, who married Elizabeth Shepherd, of the same county. Twelve children were born to John (2) and Elizabeth Starke, the eighth being a daughter, Sarah, who married Wyatt Mills, of Albemarle county, Virginia. By this marriage there were sons and daughters, the second daughter being Elizabeth (Betsey) who married Captain James Beazley. These intermarriages connected many of the early Virginia families with the Beazleys, the Wyatts, Heads, Sanfords, Wallers, Carters, Allens, Spotswoods and others. The Wyatts of Virginia came from an English ancestor, who traced descent to a Norman knight who came to England with the "Conqueror." Captain James Beazley, a wealthy farmer and man of high literary attainment, whose grandfather immigrated to this country from England, supposedly from the Isle of Wight, married, as stated above, Elizabeth Mills, and had issue: Judge Wyatt Starke, of whom further; Edward, who married Emma Vaughan; Dr. Robert Sanford, of whom further; James, who married Elizabeth Sheppard Head, of Randolph county, Missouri; Elizabeth, who married James Stephens, of Greene county, Virginia. Judge Wyatt Starke Beazley, son of Captain James and Elizabeth (Mills) Beazley, was born in the beautiful Swift Run valley, near the Blue Ridge mountains, Greene county, Virginia, February 1, 1819, and died in the same county, November 2, 1881. His father, a wealthy planter, gave him all the advantages of a classical education, sending him last to the University of Virginia, where he became a scholar of high attainment, graduating in Greek, Latin, French and German, with many other subjects, and later in law, afterwards becoming a lawyer of great force and ability. The results of these advantages placed him professionally and socially among the leading men of his district, and he was held in the highest esteem by his fellow citizens who elevated him to prominent official positions in the county, first clerk, then commonwealth's attorney, and for a period of thirteen years, until his death, he was judge of the judicial district, composed of the counties of Madison and Greene. He was a learned, just judge, dignified and courteous, chivalrous and knightly, and the soul of generosity and hospitality. He married Elizabeth Columbia Miller, born in Greene county, Virginia, in 1824, died in 1892. They were the parents of four children, all living: Adelaide Starke, Carrie Lee, Mary James, Wyatt Sanford, of whom further. Dr. Wyatt Sanford Beazley, only son and youngest child of Judge Wyatt Starke and Elizabeth Columbia (Miller) Beazley, was born near Stanardsville, Greene county, Virginia, July 11, 1868. He was educated in private schools in his native county, and after deciding upon a profession entered the Medical College of Virginia in Richmond, whence he was graduated M. D., class of 1893. He began practice in East Richmond and later located in the western part of the city, at his present residence, No. 412 North Lombardy street. He soon became affiliated with his alma mater, as instructor in medical jurisprudence, but at the end of two years he resigned this position to devote himself wholly to the practice of his profession. Later he was chosen medical examiner for the Union Central Life Insurance Company, the Royal Arcanum, the Ladies of the Maccabees of the World, which positions he still holds. In the same capacity he has served several of the insurance companies of his city. He is a member of various professional societies including the American Medical Association, the State Medical Society, and Richmond Academy of Medicine and Surgery. In political faith he is a Democrat. A friend to all reformation, particularly for the advancement of womanhood, he became a member of the Woman's Suffrage League as soon as it was organized in Virginia. When eight years of age he joined the Good Templars, a temperance society at Stanardsville, and has since done all in his power to help the cause on to victory. His labors in this direction have been with the Anti-Saloon League from its beginning in his native state. In short, all worthy, needy objects, and every good cause finds him ready to lend a helping hand. He is a skillful, honorable general practitioner, with the distinction of an unusual power to hold his patients, many of the present ones having employed him at the beginning of his medical career, eighteen years ago Tender and sympathetic, kind and courteous, cheerful and optimistic, he never fails to win the love and confidence of those under his care. Many of them have been heard to say that his presence alone had been an inspiration and help to them. Both he and his wife are communicants of the Grave Avenue Baptist Church. Dr. Beazley married, in Huntsville, Missouri, October 9, 1897, Alma Elizabeth Sellers, born at Roanoke, Randolph county, Missouri, August 28, 1872, at her father's farm, the homestead of her mother. She is the daughter of William B. Sellers, born in Rockingham county, Virginia, February 28, 1841, died in July, 1909, judge of the probate, court of Randolph county, Missouri. He married Virginia A. Head, born in Randolph county, Missouri, May 31, 1837, and now residing with her daughter, Alma E., in Richmond. She is a descendant of Benjamin Head, of revolutionary fame, through John Head, who settled in Missouri. The Heads settled in Virginia at an early date and are prominent in several southern states. Children of Dr. Wyatt S. and Alma E. (Sellers) Beazley: Wyatt Sanford, Jr., born July 25, 1898, who when but a lad of eight showed decided talent as writer of fiction, is now making a fine record both as to conduct and as a student in high school; Virginia Lee, born May 1, 1902; Elizabeth Idress, born November 12, 1904; Charlotte Starke, born March 20, 1907. Benjamin Head, ancestor of Mrs. Alma Elizabeth (Sellers) Beazley, was a citizen of Orange county, Virginia, as early as 1771; joined the continental army as a private in Colonel Bland's regiment of horse; was sent on several important expeditions that required the utmost trust and confidence, and in consequence of meritorious and patriotic service was recommended for promotion by Colonel Bland. He was commissioned a captain in Colonel Bland's regiment in 1780, serving until the end of the war. He fought at Brandywine, Trenton, Princeton, Monmouth, Germantown and White Plains; was transferred to the southern army, and after his promotion was captured at Laniers Ferry, South Carolina, and exchanged on May 14, 1781. After his release he continued in the service; was at the surrender of Cornwallis at Yorktown, and held the rank of captain at the end of the war. John Head, one of his sons, emigrated to Missouri, and another son, Henry, to Sumner county, Tennessee. Mrs. Alma Elizabeth (Sellers) Beazley is descended also through her mother from John Starke, the emigrant, who came from Scotland, married Ann Wyatt, settled in Hanover county, Virginia, and rendered patriotic service during the Revolutionary war as a member of the committee of safety. Mrs. Beazley is a member of the Daughters of the American Revolution, United Daughters of the Confederacy, Association for the Preservation of Virginia Antiquities, and through Benjamin Head is entitled to membership in the Daughters of 1812. Dr. W. S. Beazley, also her husband, as stated before, is descended from this same John Starke, is related also to Benjamin Head. Adelaide Starke, eldest child of Judge Wyatt Starke and Elizabeth Columbia (Miller) Beazley, and sister of Dr. Wyatt Sanford Beazley, was born May 27, 1862. She graduated from Albemarle Female Institute in June, 1879, and for five years, until her marriage to Elijah D. Durrette, of Greene county, Virginia, performed faithfully the beautiful service of assisting her mother in the home. Children of Mr. and Mrs. Durrette: 1. Mary Lee, born in 1886; graduated from the Rawlings Institute, Charlottesville, Virginia, and later, in trained nursing from the Memorial Hospital in Richmond, Virginia. For two years she filled this position with delight to her patients and great credit and honor to herself and her school. She then became the wife of Robert Braxton Allport, of Richmond, and they are the parents of two children: Robert Braxton, Jr., born September 1, 1912, and Marion Beazley, born March 28, 1915. 2. Dollie Elizabeth, born in 1888, also graduated from the Rawlings Institute, and for four years filled most acceptably positions as teacher in her native county of Greene. She became the wife of Miller Jarman, of Rockingham county, Virginia, and they are the parents of one child, Miletus, born September 27, 1913. 3. Elijah Davis, born in 1890; was for some time student at Fork Union Military Academy, Virginia. 4. Frank Starke, born in 1899. 5. Wyatt Beazley, born in 1901. Carrie Lee, second child of Judge Wyatt Starke and Elizabeth Columbia (Miller) Beazley, the sister most closely associated with Dr. Wyatt Sanford Beazley, having taught him and otherwise assisted him in his education, was born February 7, 1864. She was a graduate of the Albemarle Female Institute at the age of sixteen. According to the purpose of her childhood, she began at once to teach, which vocation she followed faithfully and conscientiously for ten years. Her first experience was in a private school in her own home, then in the public schools of her county, next in the alma mater, and finally in Broaddus College, Clarksburg, West Virginia, from which school she married James Durrette Carneal, one of the most prominent and highly esteemed business men of Richmond, Virginia. Children: 1. Mattie Nell, born May 31, 1892; attended the best schools in Richmond, her birthplace, was two sessions and a half a student at Hollins Institute, Virginia, and in one year won, with many honors, her full graduating diploma from Lasell Seminary at Auburndale, a beautiful suburb of Boston, Massachusetts. Later she had three months of travel abroad, followed by a year of voice culture, the study of French, history of art, etc., in Paris. She was beginning her second year there when forced by the present war to return home. 2. Wyatt Beazley, born September 18, 1893; attended the best private schools of Richmond, Virginia; Gloucester Academy, Virginia; Richmond Academy, and Fork Union Military Academy, Virginia. 3. Charles Wendell, born February 12, 1895; cadet at Virginia Military Institute, Lexington, Virginia, having attendee; the several schools with his brother, Wyatt B., with the addition of Richmond College. 4. George Upshur, born August 29. 1897; just graduated with unusual honor from the John Marshall High School, Richmond, Virginia, winning unsought scholarship for Hampden-Sidney College, Virginia. 5. James Durrette, Jr., born July 13, 1899; an "honor roll" pupil of the Richmond High School, with the distinction of never having received a demerit during his entire school experience, and also of having won the medal for best lessons and conduct for four consecutive years, beginning at the very outset of his school life. One of his high school teachers said that he is such a gentleman she had been made more of a lady for having taught him. The entire Carneal family are communicants of the Baptist church. Mary James, third child of Judge Wyatt Starke and Elizabeth Columbia (Miller) Beazley, was born in Greene county, Virginia, August 5, 1866. She, too, attended the Albemarle Female Institute, and at an early age became the wife of Thomas Davis Durrette, also of Greene county, Virginia. Children: 1. Atwood Beazley, born in 1885, at his father's death assisted his mother with the home and farm. 2. Lizzie Lucretia, born in 1887; became the wife of Frank Kirtly, of Madison county, Virginia, and they are the parents of three children: Mary Kyle, Sinclair David, and Keyser. 3. Mamie James, born December 2, 1888; was graduated in trained nursing from The Retreat for the Sick, Richmond, Virginia, and by the display of executive ability and talent in the management of affairs was chosen, after six months of the most satisfactory service as nurse, for the position of superintendent of The Home for Incurables of Richmond; much to the regret of both inmates and board of managers, a year later she became the wife of Starkey Hare, of North Carolina. 4. Carrie Epps, born in November 1891; has been making a fine record as trained nurse since her graduation from the Johnston-Willis Hospital in 1914; one of her teachers testified that she had everything necessary to the perfect nurse, a high recommendation. 5. Thomas Davis, born in October, 1895; has just received his graduating diploma from the high school in Greene county, Virginia. 6. Robert Sanford, born September 19, 1897, is a student in the same school as his brother, Thomas Davis. Dr. Robert Sanford Beazley, third son of Captain James and Elizabeth (Mills) Beazley, and uncle of Dr. Wyatt Sanford Beazley, whom in early childhood he nursed through two severe spells of illness, was born in Greene county, Virginia, October 14, 1821, and died January 18, 1910. He was a student at the University of Virginia, and received his diploma in medicine from the Jefferson Medical College, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. When but a lad, his father, while trying to determine which of his two boys, Wyatt S. and Robert S., should be educated in medicine and which in law, was brought to the decision by an accident in which a negro boy on the farm had a toe almost severed from the foot. The boys in question chanced to be present—Wyatt S., the embryo lawyer, fainting, while Robert S., the born physician, sewed it back and nursed it until well again. With this beginning, and taking later as his motto, "While there is life, there is hope," it is no wonder that he held on to his patients with a grip that seemed to challenge death, making his success in healing almost phenomenal. After sixty-four years of active practice, done almost wholly on horseback, he continued frequent visits to the sick until his death in his eighty-ninth year. There was an intermission of nine years in the sixty-four, during which, at the earnest solicitation of the people of Albemarle and Greene counties, he reluctantly gave up his chosen work to serve as their representative in the state senate. While there it was said of him as of Henry Clay, "He never said a word too much, never said a word too little, and always said the right word in the right place." One of his colleagues said that before voting on any important matter he desired no better information than that as to how Dr. Beazley would vote. His life there was not all sunshine, for while seated in a window in the house of delegates, when the latter was crowded to its utmost capacity, the galleries fell, killing many, and crushed through the floor beneath. He received a bad cut on the head by the falling plastering, but being forced to view so long the heartrending scene below while helpless to aid was by far, he said, the most trying part of his experience. His unexpired term in the senate was because of his resignation on account of the long illness and death of his wife. For this reason he also declined his election to the famous Underwood Constitutional Convention. He never lost interest in the affairs and activities of life, but to the end kept pace with all advancement, especially in his own profession, and until his last moment was in full possession of his faculties. He lived the simple, temperate, natural life, and was never ill. Possessed of a remarkable purity, calmness and equanimity, and having "high erected ideas seated in a heart of courtesy" he was often referred to as a true type of the "old Virginia gentleman." Dr. Beazley married Sarah Early, of Albemarle county, Virginia, and they were the parents of two daughters: Elizabeth Fanny and Sallie Early, and one son, James E., who married Edwina Graves, of Orange county, Virginia. Additional Comments: From Volume V of the Encyclopedia of Virginia Biography, 1915 Photo: http://www.usgwarchives.net/va/greene/photos/bios/beazley162gbs.jpg File at: http://files.usgwarchives.net/va/greene/bios/beazley162gbs.txt This file has been created by a form at http://www.genrecords.org/vafiles/ File size: 16.9 Kb