Andrew Jackson Beale, a native of Kentucky and served in the Kentucky legislature. Dr. A.J. Beale, now for the second time member of the General Assembly; in 1860 of the physicians of Cynthianna, Kentucky. He was a Confederate soldier in the 9th Regiment, Kentucky Mounted Infantry Company A, as a surgeon leaving with a rank of Captain. The Confederate Monument in Battle Grove Cemetery was dedicated on May 27, 1869. Early in 1867 Dr. A. J. Beale (confederate surgeon) called a meeting at his office of Confederate friends and sympathizers in Harrison county, where an organization was effected looking to the erection of a monument as a fitting memorial to those fallen heroes, to be know as the “Cynthiana Confederate Memorial Association.” The following officers were elected; A. J. Beale, President; H. W. Shawhan, Newton Miller, Henry Turton, Vice Presidents; Caleb W. West, Secretary; Frank M. Curle, Treasurer. He came to Oklahoma Territory to take part in the Land Run on April 22, 1889. On April 19, 1889, three days prior to the Land Run of 1889, Sidney Clarke, William L. Couch, and others formed the Seminole Town and Improvement Company in Topeka, Kansas. When the company charter was filed on that date, L. H. Crandell became the corporation's secretary. The organization's purpose included the purchase and platting of townsites to be sold as lots or subdivisions as well as establishing utilities in the new towns of the Unassigned Lands of Oklahoma. In addition to Clarke, Couch, and Crandell, J. W. Wilson and J. A. Hudson were listed as director trustees. Civil engineer Charles Chamberlin, a member of the Seminole company and the townsite location engineer for the Atchison, Topeka and Santa Fe Railway (AT&SF), completed the first survey of the Oklahoma City townsite prior to the land opening. Local provisional governments prevailed in the newly formed towns until the passage of the Organic Act on May 2, 1890. In Oklahoma City the Seminole Town and Improvement Company members dominated the early provisional government. William L. Couch was elected mayor, and city ordinances favoring the Seminole group were soon passed. Following the resignation of William L. Couch, Sidney Clarke became temporary mayor until Andrew Jackson Beale was elected on November 27, 1889 running against Henry Overholser and won election by fourteen votes.. Beale, a member of Oklahoma Town Company, worked to overturn some of the early city ordinancesUpon assuming office, Mayor Beale introduced an ordinance requiring that the Mayor and Council members serve without pay. He also worked aggressively to resolve questions of lot ownership and promised fair and equitable handling of lot claims, but in December of 1889 the U.S. Attorney General issued an order prohibiting the City’s provisional government from resolving ownership of lots until Congress set up a provisional government for Oklahoma Territory. Land disputes were a constant source of turmoil during Mayor Beale’s brief term (November 27, 1889 - December 30, 1890). Dr. Beale died on January 4, 1909 at the home of his daughter, Mrs. Henry Carr of Cynthianna, Kentucky.

Census Information:

OKLAHOMA PIONEER DIES IN KENTUCKY
Dr. A. J. Beale; Ex-Confederate, Passes Away At Sister's Home At Cynthiana
Cynthiana, Ky., Jan. 4.-Dr. A. J. Beale, prominent ex-confederate soldier, former member of the Kentucky legislature and a pioneer of Oklahoma City, died at has daughter's home here today, aged 73 years. Dr. A. J. Beale is well known among the older citizens of Oklahoma City as a home steader of a place near the city waterworks, just west of the Wright place. His farm is now a part of Oklahoma City and is well settled. Dr. Beale left Oklahoma City about ten years ago. Mrs. Henry Carr of Pauls Valley, the wife of a prominent lawyer of that place, is a daughter.
[Source: The Oklahoman January 5, 1909 Page 8]

---

ADOPT RESOLUTIONS
_____
CONDONE DEATH OF OKLAHOMA CITY'S MAYOR, DR. BEALE

The committee appointed by Captain D. H. Hammons, Camp No. 177, U.C.V., to draft suitable resolutions of respect to the late Dr. A. J. Beale, Oklahoma City's first mayor, who died at his old home in Kentucky, January 4, has submitted its report as follows:
"Whereas, It has pleased the Great Commander of the Universe to remove from our midst our comrade, Dr. A. J. Beale; "Therefore, be it resolved, by Captain D. H. Hammons Camp No. 177, U.C.V., Oklahoma City that in the death of Comrade Beale we have lost one, who whether a citizen, soldier, statesman or physician was ever true to the trusts he was called upon to assume. "As captain of Company A, ninth Kentucky cavalry, General Breckinridge's division, Confederate army, his record stands unsurpassed. As a member of the Kentucky legislature he faithfully performed his duty. " He was a pioneer of Oklahoma, being an Eighty-niner, and was elected as the second mayor of Oklahoma City in the winter of 1889 on the retirement of Captain Couch, the first mayor. "As one of the commanders of D. H. Hammons Camp No. 177,Oklahoma City, he earnestly promoted every plan that would be beneficial ito his comrades. As a physician he stood high among the medical fraternity. "As a comrade, while we mourn his loss, we know that he has 'passed over the river and is resting under the shade of the trees.'
"Having removed back to Kentucky some years ago he passed away at Cynthiana, KY, January 4, 1909, at the age of 73.
"Resolved, That the press of this city be requested to publish these resolutions, that a copy be forwarded to his relatives and a copy be spread upon the minutes of this Camp."
[Source: The Oklahoman January 22, 1909 Page 11]

HOME


Copyright © Genealogy Trails