Biographical Sketches
HENRY M. BEARDSLEY
Of the firm of Beardsley, Gregory & Flannelly, attorneys at law, Kansas City, is a native of Knox county, Ohio, born October 20, 1858. He is a son of George F. and Martha Beardsley, the former also having been born in Knox county; the latter was born at Mr. Morris, New York. The Beardsley family were early settlers in Ohio, where the family vocation was farming. In November, 1867, Mr. Beardsley, Sr., removed with his family to Champaign, Illinois, where he engaged in operating in real estate and manufacturing enterprises. He is one of the prominent, well-to-do men of Champaign county, his executive ability and business acumen being so clearly manifest that he has been called upon to take many positions of honor and trust, as president of the school board, aldeman, city treasurer, president of the Fair Association, trustee of his church and superintendent of Sabbath-school. Of his 6 children 3 are living: Henry M., Anna and John. The deceased are Fannie, aged 19, and 2 who died in infancy.
Our subject finished his education in the State University of Illinois, having taken the post-graduate course and received the degree of Master of Literature, and for 2 years was tutor in chemistry. He subsequently read law under George W. Gere, and was admitted to the bar in September, 1882. He then entered into partnership with his preceptor for the practice of law, with whom he was associated till his removal to Kansas City, in October, 1886. The following January he became associated with Alfred Gregory, and in 1894 Thomas J. Flannelly was admitted to the firm.
As lawyers they rank with the ablest at the Jackson county bar, and they have a practice that bespeaks the confidence of a large clientage. In religious matters Mr. Beardsley is not only deeply interested, but takes an active part in the practical work of the church that of right should be performed by the laity. While living in Champaign he was president of the County Sunday-school Association. For 6 years past he has been superintendent of the Sabbath-school of the First Congregational church of Kansas City, of which he is a valuable member, and since 1892 he has been president of the Young Men's Christian Association. He is also one of the original or charter members of the Municipal Improvement Association. To all measures calculated to improve public conditions and elevate the standard of morals and citizenship, he gives hearty and unqualified support. As the champion of those interests he is sincere and enthusiastic, and his influence for good is great, especially among the young, with whom he is decidedly popular. It is, perhaps, in Christian work that his efforts produce the most noticeable results. Here he patiently and untiringly labors for the cause of God and humanity and his efforts have been most graciously rewarded.
Mr. Beardsley was united in marriage with Miss Marietta Davis, of Piatt county, Illinois, April 24, 1883. They have three children: Ella, born in 1884; George D., born in 1887; and Henry S., born in 1895.
This page was last updated August 2, 2006.