Greene County
Biographies

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 ldress, born November 12, 1904; Charlotte Starke, born March 20, 1907.
[Encyclopedia of Virginia Biography, Under The Editorial Supervision of Lyon Gardiner Tyler, 1915 – Transcribed by AFOFG]