WILLIAM E. BEASLEY
Was born in Petersburg on June 4, 1842. He went to school at the
Petersburg institute, and in 1859 engaged with his father in the tobacco
business. He entered the Confederate Army in April, 1861, lieutenant
Company D, 12th Virginia Infantry. In 1862 he resigned and later
again enlisted, this time in the cavalry service, Company B, 13th Virginia
regiment. After the war he went to Louisville, Kentucky, and
was in the tobacco business there for a year, then returned to Petersburg,
where he has continued in the same business to the present time.
His father, William H. Beasley, was born in Petersburg, and died in
July, 1874, aged sixty-three years. His mother, whose maiden name
was Ann J. Bragg, is still living in Petersburg. His wife, whom he married
March 25, 1864, is Mary J. Hill, born in Dinwiddie county, the
daughter of Green Hill, who died in 1865, aged sixty years. Her mother,
also now deceased, was Mary Eldredge, a descendant of Pocahontas
Mr. and Mrs. Beasley have three sons. Edwin H., Percy and Hill, and
one daughter, Mary E.
