Name/Title
Beshears, Rufus P., Dr.: Portrait Photos & SnapshotsEntry/Object ID
P2018.8.41Description
Beshears, Rufus P., Dr.: Portrait Photos & Snapshots. 4 snapshots, one news photo, and 6 portraits. All but news photo unidentified but possible photos of Dr. Beshears at various stages of his life. b/w. Various sizes.
Dr. Beshears (1888-1961) was a local black dentist with offices at 411½ Francis St., St. Joseph, MO. He served as a dentist during World War I and in his post-war practice served as contract dentist for the Veterans Administration. A widower, he married Kelsy Beshears, a noted female black activist, who became important in St. Joseph's struggle for civil right.
He was a leader in the black community and a Director of Laurence Jones' Piney Woods Country Life School in Mississippi.
A = News Photo, Dental Honor, photo of Dr. Beshears presenting to an award to another dentist. Beshears was given a separate award at this convention by Heart of American Dental Society, Kansas City for his contribution to Negro dentistry during his 50 years of practice. c. 1960.
B = Snapshot, Man in World War I military uniform standing outside Chaplain's office with mess kit in his hand. Possible photo of Dr. Beshears. b/w. 1½" x 2½"
C = Snapshot, Dr. Rufus Beshears, seated on couch with two young black men in suits on either side. c. 1950. b/w.. 5" x 4"
D = Snapshot, Family Group, 2 couples. Possible photo of Dr. Beshears and first wife Teenia Burns who died in 1942. hand-dated 5/31/42. b/w. 3½" x 2½"
E = Portrait, Graduate, Young black man in cap & gown, c. age 18, Possibly Rufus Beshears, b/w, oval, 2¾" x 5¼" Poor condition
F = Portrait, outdoor scene, Black man in tuxedo, smoking cigar, c. age 25. Possibly Rufus Beshears. b/w. 5" x 7¼" Poor condition: crack in center of photo, lower left corner missing. (See 2018.8.72 for photo of this man as groom & his bride).
G = Group Portrait, 5 young black men in suits, one could possibly be Rufus Beshears, b/w. 9¾" x 3" on 13" x 6½" light cardboard mat.
H = Group Portrait, 6 young black men in suits, one is Rufus Beshears. Handwritten on back: "Compliments of Mr. WM. F. Reden, Law, 1908 & Dr. Rufus P. Beshears, D.D.S., '09 to Mrs. Georgia Beshears." b/w. 9¾" x 3½" on 13" x 7½" dark cardboard mat. Poor condition, mildewed, fragile mat with chunks missing at edges and corners.
I = Portrait, Black man in striped suit, white tie, with boutonniere. c. age 30, Possibly Rufus Beshears. b/w. 3¾" x 5½", in portfolio. photographer not identified.
J = Portrait, mature Black man in suit, Byarlay Studio, 515½ Edmond, St. Joseph, MO. c. 1940. Sepia. 4½" x 6½" in tan/grey mat 6½" x 9½" Most probably not Dr. Beshears.
K = Snapshot, mature black male in "white" suit standing outdoors beneath tree. Most probably Dr. Beshears. undated, but perhaps 1950's.Made/Created
Studio
VariousDate made
1909 - 1960Notes
Date: 1950Lexicon
Nomenclature 4.0
Nomenclature Secondary Object Term
Print, PhotographicNomenclature Primary Object Term
PhotographNomenclature Sub-Class
Graphic DocumentsNomenclature Class
Documentary ObjectsNomenclature Category
Category 08: Communication ObjectsSearch Terms
Francis Street, 411½, Beshears Family, Black History in St. Joseph, Black Dentists, Francis Street, World War IDimensions
Dimension Notes
Printsize: VariousRelationships
Related Person or Organization
Person or Organization
Rufus P. BeshearsProvenance
Notes
Items found in basement of Brookdale East Apt. Complex, the first public housing project in St. Joseph, established through the efforts of activist, Kelsey Beshears. Her son, Jerry Cooper, lived in the complex even after Kelsey's death. Donated by member of local NAACP.
