General Beadle was born January 1, 1838, in
West Central Indiana. After he grew up, his dad offered him a
piece of land if he settled in Indiana. Instead he choose to attend
the University of Michigan instead and became a civil engineer.
After college he enlisted in the Union Army. He started out as
a First Lieutenant and advanced to Brigadier General by the end
of the Civil War. After the Civil War he went back to the University
of Michigan and received his law degree.
General Ulysses Grant in 1869, appointed General Beadle as Surveyor-General
in Dakota Territory. General Beadle took many trips across Dakota
Territory (North and South Dakota), surveying all of the lands.
Much of what he needed to know about South Dakota land management
and education, he learned from his teachers at the University
of Michigan. His travels gave him a clear understanding of the
geography, topography and the people of Dakota Territory. This
gained him the reputation of a expert on the Dakotas.
In 1879, he was appointed the Territorial Superintendent of Public
Instruction by the Territorial Governor. He was instrumental in
saving 20 million acres of school land in South Dakota, North
Dakota, Montana, Washington, Idaho, and Wyoming from speculators.
He held this position till 1889.
After retiring he received the job as president of Madison Normal
School. He held this post until 1912, when he decided to reside
at Solders home in Hot Springs.
Mr. Beadle died November 13, 1915.
Created by: Chris and William