Grenville Beardsley
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Col. Grenville Beardsley(II), JAGC, USAR, Attorney General of Illinois 1959-1960, was born January 12, 1898 in Salem, Iowa. He was the son of Frank Grenville Beardsley (I), PhD., STD, Congregationalist Minster, Evangelist, and author. He graduated from Knox College in 1917.
Enlistment in World War I
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.
Reelistment in World War II
Beardsley was a member of the draft board during World War II and at 44 years old reenlisted in the Army as a Major. He served in North Africa, Middle East and India. He was primarily stationed in New Delhi with the Judge Advocate General's Corps, U.S. Army rising to the rank of Lt. Col. and was awarded the Legion of Merit.
Post-War activity
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 was promoted to full Colonel. Beardsley remained active in politics and ran for several offices including State's Attorney. The Chicago Tribune named him the winner, making him the first Republican to win a countywide office in several decades. The election was overturned in a disputed recount. He gained notoriety representing the State of Illinois versus the Illinois Central Railroad. As a result of the case the State was awarded several million dollars of back taxes.
He joined the Attorney General’s office of Illinois as first assistant Attorney General, and was appointed Attorney General in 1959. In June 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 was a descendant of William Beardsley of Stratford, Connecticut.
