Buena Vista County, IA
USGenWeb Project

Silas A. Beason, D. D. S., who since 1897 has engaged in the practice of dentistry in Newell, was born in Greene county, Ohio, March l6, 1860.  His ancestry has been distinctively American, both in its lineal and collateral lines for many generations.  The grandfather of Dr. Beason was a native of Pennsylvania and followed the occupation of farming.  He became an early settler of Greene county, Ohio, in its pioneer development and continued an active factor in its agricultural progress until his death.  His wife reached the very advanced age of ninety-three years.  The maternal grandfather of Dr. Beason was likewise a native of Pennsylvania, and both he and his wife lived to an advanced age.  Their children were Jacob; John; Phoebe Mahala, who was the wife of James Ewing; and Eliza, who was the wife of Jacob Harness.

Amasa Beason, the father of Dr. Beason, was born in Greene county, Ohio, and followed general agricultural pursuits in that state. He was married to Miss Phoebe Smith, also a native of that county, and in the year 1865 they removed westward to Iowa, settling in Guthrie county.  Later they became residents in Cass county and afterward removed to De Kalb county, Missouri.  Subsequently they lived in other places, the death of Amasa Beason occurring at Diamond Springs, Kansas, in 1899, when he was seventy-four years of age, while his wife passed away in 1889, at the age of sixty-five years.  Both were Methodists in religious faith and were people of the highest respectability.  Their family numbered ten children, six sons and four daughters:  Sarah E., the wife of William Jefferson, of Casey. Iowa; William Albert, deceased; Jennie C. the wife of William Smith, of Diamond Springs, Kansas; Thomas R., of Ogden, Utah; Charles M., also of Ogden, Utah; James Harvey, deceased; Joseph M., of Diamond Springs, Kansas; Silas A.; Rosa E., the wife of Lincoln Yayman, of Kansas City, Kansas; and Mary A., the widow of William Hayes, and a resident of Rockford, Ohio.

Dr. Beason was but five years of age when his parents removed to Iowa.  He lived in Guthrie and Cass counties for three years, in De Kalb county, Missouri, for five years, and in Wyoming for three years.  He was also in Utah and Colorado for a short time and for three years in Peru, Indiana.  He afterward removed to Nodaway county, Missouri, where he lived for six years. His boyhood and youth were largely devoted to the work of the farm, but thinking to find other pursuits more congenial and profitable than the work of the fields he determined to give his attention to a professional career and became a student in the Chicago Dental College, from which he was graduated with the class of 1899.  Opening an office in Newell he has been located here continuously since 1897 and that his proficient service has met with hearty approval and support is indicated in the liberal patronage accorded him.  He displays marked skill and mechanical ingenuity in handling the instruments and various little appliances that constitute the dentist's tools, and, moreover, he has an intimate knowledge of the scientific part of the business.

On the 24rth of January, 1892, Dr. Beason was married to Miss May Lowry, a daughter of Benjamin F. and Phoebe (Shroyer) Lowry.  Mrs. Beason was born in Dixon, Illinois, while her parents were natives of Pennsylvania and now live at Maryville, Missouri.  The father was a farmer in early manhood but is now retired.  His family numbered six children:  Anna, the wife of Thomas Howell, of Maryville, Missouri; Wesley, living in Grant City, Missouri; Lizzie, the wife of Cephas Clark, of Maryville, Missouri; Samuel, also of that place; Richard, of Grant City, Missouri; and Mary, the wife of our subject.  Mrs. Beason's paternal grandfather was the Rev. Samuel Lowry, a Methodist minister.  Mrs. Beason is also a dentist and practices with her husband.  She is a graduate of the Western Dental College of Kansas City, Missouri, and displays marked skill in the work of the office.  Dr. and Mrs. Beason have no children of their own but are rearing an adopted daughter, Lucile.  In addition to his practice Dr. Beason is a stockholder in the tile factory, city water-works, and the Newell Hotel, and he owns a fine farm of one hundred and sixty acres in Newell township, and another tract of similar size in Coon township.

Dr. Beason takes an active and helpful interest in the welfare of his town and cooperates in many movements for the general good.  Both he and his wife are consistent and helpful members of the Methodist Episcopal church.  His political allegiance is given the democratic party, and he is associated with several fraternal organizations.  He belongs to Royal Lodge, No. 428, A. F. & A. M., in which he is now serving as secretary.  He also belongs to Newell Lodge, No. 2:32. 1. O. O. F., and both he and his wife are connected with the Eastern Stars and Rebekahs.  In professional lines he is connected with the State Dental Society.  A genial, courteous gentleman, of unfeigned cordiality, he has many warm friends and his good qualities entitle him to the respect and good will which is everywhere given him.  Both he and his wife occupy an enviable position in social circles and their own home is attractive by reason of its warm-hearted hospitality.