beveridge was born on october 6, 1862, in highland county, ohio, near sugar tree ridge; his parents moved to indiana soon after his birth. both of his parents, thomas h. and frances parkinson, were of english descent. his childhood was one of hard work and labor. securing an education with difficulty, he eventually became a law clerk in indianapolis. in 1887, he was admitted to the indiana bar, practiced law in indianapolis and married katherine langsdale. after katherine's death in 1900, beveridge married catherine eddy in 1907.