Edgar Beadle, a wagon manufacturer of Cheshire, has been engaged in that line of business for many years and his shop has always enjoyed the reputation of turning out excellent work. He was born in Cheshire, September 26, 1848, a son of Benajah Beadle, also a native of Cheshire, who likewise devoted his life to carriage and wagon making. He was a democrat in his early manhood but later became an adherent of the republican party. He held several offices and was at all times faithful to the trust reposed in him by his fellow citizens. His father, Alfred Beadle, was the son of John Beadle, whose father, Nathaniel Beadle, settled in Wallingford in the early days. John Beadle served as captain of a horse company in the Revolutionary war and during the dark days of that conflict was unswervingly loyal to the cause of the newly formed Union. The family first located at Salem, Massachusetts, and the name has been held in high honor. Benajah Beadle was united in marriage to Miss Julia Ann Hitchcock, a daughter of Gaius Hitchcock and a granddaughter of Captain David Hitchcock, who was in the army during the entire eight years of the Revolutionary war. Captain Hitchcock was a son of Peter Hitchcock, whose father was John Hitchcock, the first of the name to settle at Cheshire. He removed here from Wallingford and previous to living at that place had been a resident of Morris Cove. Peter Hitchcock erected the old family residence in which four generations of the family had lived. Benajah Beadle passed away about eight months after the death of his wife, who died in April. 1890. Both had reached the age of seventy-five years. To them were born three children: William, who served in the Civil war and died shortly after his discharge from the army; Henry, deceased, who was for many years deputy sheriff of New Haven county; and Edgar.

As a boy Edgar Beadle attended the public schools of Cheshire and later was a student in an academy conducted by Dr. Horton, after which he entered his father's carriage and wagon shop. Father and son conducted the business in partnership for a number of years but at length the older man retired and left the entire management of the business to our subject. It is one of the oldest commercial enterprises of Cheshire, having been established in 1836, and it has always been conducted in accordance with the highest standards of business ethics. Before the advent of the automobile the business of the shop covered a wide territory but with the general adoption of motor cars for both commercial use and for pleasure the demand for wagons and carriages has declined, but such is the high reputation of the Beadle shop that it is accorded a large share of the remaining patronage along that line. The owner has throughout the years managed his affairs well and has accumulated a competence.

On the 3d of December, 1891, in Cheshire. Mr. Beadle was married to Miss Cora A. Sommers. Her father, Charles Sommers, was a native of Woodbury and removed first to Windsor Locks and later to Cheshire. Mrs. Beadle passed away February 16, 1914, leaving a daughter, Cora Eloise

Since attaining his majority Mr. Beadle has been a stanch supporter of the republican party and has been called to office a number of times, having served as assessor, as member of the board of relief and in other positions of trust. Fraternally he is a Mason, and his many excellent qualities have gained for him a large circle of friends within and without the order.