Grenville Beardsley

Col. Grenville Beardsley(II), JAGC, USAR, Attorney General of Illinois 1959-1960. He was born January 12, 1898 in Salem, Iowa, and the son [[Frank Grenville Beardsley (I)]], PhD., STD, Congregationalist Minster, evangelist, and author. He attended Knox College. Beardsley enlisted in the US Army during World War I, and rose to Captain. After the war, he graduated with a law degree from John Marshal Law School, Chicago. He became active in Illinois Republican politics, running for several offices including the State Senate and Attorney General between the Wars.

Beardsley was a member of the draft board during World War II and at 44 years old reenlists in the Army as a Major. He served in North Africa, Middle East and India. He was primarily stationed in New Dehli in Judge Advocate General Corp rising to the rank of Lt. Col. and was awarded the Legion of Merit.

After the war, he returned home to his family in Chicago to practice law. He remained in the Army Reserve; was commandant of JAG officer’s school at Northwestern University and promoted to full Colonel. Beardsley remained active in politics and ran for several offices including Cook County Judge. The Chicago Tribune named him the winner making him the first Republican to win a countywide office in several decades. The election was over turned in a disputed recount. He joined the Attorney General’s office of Illinois as first assistant Attorney General, and appointed Attorney General in 1959. In June of 1960, he had an aneurysm at his desk in the old State of Illinois Building on LaSalle Street, and died a few days later. He was married to Leona Murray Beardsley and had a son Frank Grenville Beardsley (III.) He is a descendant of William Beardsley of Stratford CT.