Beman Gates Dawes

Who was Beman Gates Dawes?

Beman Gates Dawes was a politician and oil executive who served two terms as a Republican Congressman from Ohio.

Dawes, a descendant of American Revolution hero William Dawes and the son of American Civil War Brevet Brigadier General Rufus R. Dawes, was born in Marietta, Ohio. Three brothers also gained international prominence in politics and business: Charles G. Dawes, Rufus C. Dawes, and Henry May Dawes.

Beman attended the public schools of Marietta and graduated from Marietta College with the Class of 1890. He married Bertie Burr on October 3, 1894. Dawes engaged in agriculture and engineering, and became interested in public utilities. He was President of The Ohio River Bridge & Ferry Company in 1903 when the Williamstown - Marietta Bridge was constructed. He served in the U.S. House of Representatives from Ohio's 15th District from 1905 to 1909, the Fifty-ninth and Sixtieth United States Congresses. After his retirement from Congress, Dawes became interested in the production of oil and the building of electric railways. Along with his wife, he founded the Dawes Arboretum, an endowed institution dedicated to the education of youth. In 1914, he was elected president and chairman of the board of directors of the Pure Oil Company.