US Congressman. He moved to McCreary County, Kentucky in 1817, where he owned a farm and operated several businesses, including an iron furnace and a salt works. In 1818 two men drilling on land leased from Beaty struck oil. Attempts to market it as a fuel or a lubricant were unsuccessful, so its discoverers sold it as a patent medicine, making the strike on Beaty's land America's first commercial oil well. Beaty served in local offices including school board member, and was a member of the Kentucky Senate from 1824 to 1828, and again in 1832. He was also a presidential elector in 1832 and 1836, casting his vote for Henry Clay each time. After having run unsuccessfully in 1828 and 1830, in 1832 he was the successful Anti-Jackson nominee for the US House of Representatives and served one term 1833 to 1835. He was an unsuccessful candidate for reelection in 1834, afterwards returning to his Kentucky business and farming interests. In 1848 he served in the Kentucky House of Representatives. Beaty later moved to Belmont, Texas, where farm until his death. His name is sometimes spelled "Beatty", and the town of Beattyville in Lee County, Kentucky was named for his family.
US Congressman. He moved to McCreary County, Kentucky in 1817, where he owned a farm and operated several businesses, including an iron furnace and a salt works. In 1818 two men drilling on land leased from Beaty struck oil. Attempts to market it as a fuel or a lubricant were unsuccessful, so its discoverers sold it as a patent medicine, making the strike on Beaty's land America's first commercial oil well. Beaty served in local offices including school board member, and was a member of the Kentucky Senate from 1824 to 1828, and again in 1832. He was also a presidential elector in 1832 and 1836, casting his vote for Henry Clay each time. After having run unsuccessfully in 1828 and 1830, in 1832 he was the successful Anti-Jackson nominee for the US House of Representatives and served one term 1833 to 1835. He was an unsuccessful candidate for reelection in 1834, afterwards returning to his Kentucky business and farming interests. In 1848 he served in the Kentucky House of Representatives. Beaty later moved to Belmont, Texas, where farm until his death. His name is sometimes spelled "Beatty", and the town of Beattyville in Lee County, Kentucky was named for his family.
Bio by: Bill McKern
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