"An Illustrated History of Whitman County, state of Washington." San Francisco: W. H. Lever, 1901. p. 458. D. A. BEASLEY Not a few of the well-to-do farmers of the county with which this volume is primarily concerned came here without means, and in developing the rich soil which they found here they have built their own fortunes while they assisted in building up a great and prosperous community. This is signally true of the man whose career it is now our task to outline in brief. Though he had been a farmer in other states for a number of years, he seems not to have been fortunate and when he arrived in the Palouse country his worldly wealth consisted of about seven dollars and a half. He is now one of the comfortably circumstanced and prosperous fanners of the county. Mr. Beasley was born in Tennessee, on the 27th of January, 1858. He remained there until about twenty years of age, then removed north to Iowa, where he resided for a couple of years, thereupon removing to Whitman county, Washington. Being without means on his arrival, no course was open to him but to go to work for wages and this he did, entering the employ of Holt Brothers. He worked for them and for various other employers for about a year, saving his money and getting ready to engage in farming.In 1881, he located a homestead about five miles southwest of Colfax, and this formed the nucleus for further acquisition until he became the owner of four hundred and eighty acres. His farm is well improved and supplied with a fine house, barn and other buildings, and has a pleasant, home-like appearance, while the evidences of his thrift and skill in husbandry are to be seen on every hand. He is certainly one of the best farmers of the county. In fraternal affiliations our subject is identified with the Ancient Order of United Workmen and with the Woodmen of the World, also belonging to the sorority auxiliary to the latter order. Mr. Beasley has been thrice married. In Moscow, Idaho, he wedded Miss Nancy Lloyd, a native of Walla Walla county, and a daughter of J. C. Lloyd, a respected pioneer of that section. She died March 27, 1889, leaving one daughter, Flora P. In 1890, he was again married, the lady being Martha Lloyd, a sister of his first wife. She died in November, 1898, leaving four children, Thomas D., Rachael D., Tenney B., and Rena E. Our subject's third marriage was contracted in Moscow, Idaho, December 26, 1900, when he became the husband of her who had been Mrs. Rosa Pretty. Mrs. Beasley is a native of this state and a daughter of Josiah Lee. * * * * Submitted to the WA. Bios Project in February 2007 by Diana Smith. Notice: These biographies were transcribed for the Washington Biographies Project. Unless otherwise stated, no further information is available on the individual featured in the biographies.