H. J. BECK
Page 173
H. J. Beck, one of the most prominent farmers of Vineyard Township, Lawrence Co., Mo., was born in Fulton County, Ark., December 22, 1842, a son of Dr. Daniel and Elmina (FOGLEMAN) BECK, both of whom were natives of North Carolina. Dr. Daniel Beck was of German descent, and came of a long line of ancestry, whose history has been identified with American history prior to the Revolutionary War, in which the grandfather of our subject served as quartermaster. Dr. Daniel Beck and wife removed to Lawrence County, Mo., at an early day, where they lived long and useful lives, leaving at their deaths a large circle of friends. Dr. Daniel Beck's death was made more sad by the tragic manner in which he was taken off. He was a man of strong Union sentiments, for which he was killed by a rebel ball, September 30, 1864. Dr. and Mrs. Daniel Beck were the parents of ten children, five of whom survive. H. J. Beck was reared on his father's farm, and upon attaining his majority engaged in farming for himself. He began with limited means, but, being industrious and a man of good habits, has been very successful, and is now the owner of 425 acres of fine land under a high state of cultivation. Besides tilling the soil, he is extensively engaged in stock dealing. Mr. Beck was married in Lawrence County, Mo., April 2, 1866, to Isabel V. ORR, a daughter of William and Jane (ADAMS) ORR. Mrs. Beck is a native of this county, and born in 1843. To the union of Mr. and Mrs. Beck have been born five children, viz: Alice A., Ida M., William D., Jennie and Walter L. During the Civil War Mr. Beck served three years in the Federal army, as a member of Capt. Stott's Company, Fifteenth Missouri Volunteer Cavalry. Politically he is a staunch Republican. He is an influential citizen of the county, and has done much toward bringing it to its present prosperous state.
JAMES K. BECK
James K. BECK, a substantial farmer and stock dealer of Lawrence County, Mo., was born in Arkansas April 1, 1848, and is a son of Dr. Daniel and Elmina (FOGLEMAN) BECK, both of whom were natives of North Carolina, of German and German-English descent, respectively. James K. Beck was reared on his father's farm, and early engaged in farming on his own account. Although he started in life with but little property, he has by industry and good management accumulated much. He and his brother, L. L. BECK, together own 1,000 acres of the best land of Lawrence County, over half of which is under a fine state of cultivation; and besides tilling the soil, they are extensively engaged in raising cattle and other stock. In 1874 James K. Beck was married in Lawrence County, to Laura S. ANDERSON, a daughter of Joseph and Elizabeth (COLLEY) ANDERSON, pioneer settlers of Lawrence County. Mrs. Beck is a native of this county, and was born in 1857. Both Mr. Beck and his wife are consistent Christians, and members of the Methodist Episcopal Church. They are the parents of six children: Gertrude F., Wilson D., Thomas K., Katie E., Elizabeth R. and John (deceased). Mr. Beck contributes liberally to the support of the churches, schools and all other enterprises that tend to the upbuilding of the community.
LAFAYETTE L. BECK
Lafayette L. BECK, one of the well-to-do and wealthy farmers of Lawrence County, Mo., is a native of Arkansas. He was born on July 22, 1850, and is a son of Dr. Daniel BECK and Elmina M. FOGLEMAN, both natives of North Carolina. On his father's side, Lafayette L. Beck is of German extraction, and on his mother's of German-English. He was reared on his father's farm, and early learned to love agriculture and the life of a farmer. Upon entering business life for himself he engaged in agricultural pursuits, and has since tilled the soil and raised stock. He and his brother, James K., own 1,000 acres of fine land, of which 800 acres is under a fine state of cultivation. The raise, buy, feed and sell stock, and no men in the county have been more successful in this business than they. The subject of this sketch was married in Jasper County, Mo., in 1880; to Jerenie F. SPARKS, by whom he is the father of four children, namely: Daniel, Jerusha J., Lindsey H. and Anney M. Mrs. Beck was born in Jasper County, Mo., and is the daughter of William and Jane (DUNCAN) SPARKS. Mr. and Mrs. Beck are held in high esteem by all who know them, and are earnest members of the Baptist Church.
JOHN J. BECK
Page 174
John J. BECK, farmer and stock raiser of Lawrence County, Mo., is a native of Washington County, Ind. He was born September 15, 1854, and is a son of Huston and Jerusha (SEALS) BECK, of German and English descent, respectively. Both parents are now dead, the mother having died in 1861, and the father in 1888. They had three children, of whom the subject of this sketch is the second. John J. Beck was reared on his father's farm, and since arriving at years of maturity has given his whole attention to agricultural pursuits. He owns a fine farm of 230 acres under a fine state of cultivation, on which he has a nice residence, good barn and other outbuildings. Everything about his place indicates thrift and enterprise. He settled in Jasper County, Mo., in 1854, and remained until 1859, at which time he went to Texas. Remaining in the latter State four years, he crossed the plains to California, where he remained several years. In 1881 he was married in Jasper County, Mo., to Celia A. HORNER, a daughter of Jacob and Lucy (RUSIANBORGER) HORNER. Mrs. Beck was born in Mercer County, Mo., in 1854. Politically Mr. Beck is a Republican, and is a member of the Odd Fellows Lodge No. 248, Sarcoxie, Mo. He is one of the wealthiest and highly respected citizens of the county, and may truly be called one of its self-made men, as he began life poor, and has risen to his present comfortable circumstances by his own efforts. Mr. and Mrs. Beck are the parents of two daughters, Lucy E. and Jerusha P.
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