BIO: Benjamin F. BECK, Centre County, PA

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Commemorative Biographical Record of Central Pennsylvania: Including 
the Counties of Centre, Clearfield, Jefferson and Clarion: Containing 
Biographical Sketches of Prominent and Representative Citizens, Etc. 
Chicago: J. H. Beers, 1898.
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  BENJAMIN F. BECK. The fine farm belonging to our subject in Walker 
township, Centre county, is conspicuous for the manner in which it has 
been improved and cultivated, and is evidently the homestead of one of 
the most enterprising men of the community. The buildings are of a neat 
and substantial character, the fields are well tilled, and in fact the 
whole place betokens the thrift and energy of a progressive farmer. He 
was born October 20, 1841, in Walker township, only a few rods from his 
present residence, which is pleasantly situated in Snydertown, and his 
parents, Henry and Ann Eliza (Furst) Beck, were also natives of Centre 
county. His paternal grandfather, John Beck, was born in Northampton 
county, Penn., but shortly after his marriage with Miss Snyder, came to 
Centre county, where his descendants still live.
  To the parents of our subject were born six children - three sons and 
three daughters - namely: (1) Lydia married Adam Decker, a prominent 
farmer of Walker township, living near Snydertown, and they reared a 
family of nine children, some of whom are now married and have families 
of their own; she departed this life in 1890, and was buried in the 
Hublersburg cemetery. (2) Benjamin F. is the next in order of birth. 
(3) Amanda J. is the wife of Frederick Schenck, a farmer of Bald Eagle 
Valley, Centre county, and they have two children. (4) Charlotte E. is 
the wife of William Decker, a leading farmer of Walker township, 
residing near Hublersburg, and they have two children - a son and 
daughter. (5) Martin L., a wealthy farmer making his home near 
Snydertown, Walker town-

COMMEMORATIVE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.  461

ship, married Agnes A. Beck, daughter of Joseph Beck, of Shelby county, 
Ill. (6) William H., a blacksmith by trade, married Clara Singer, 
daughter of Conrad Singer, of Centre county, and they have one 
daughter.
  In the common schools of his native county, Mr. Beck, the subject 
proper of this sketch, obtained his education, and he remained upon the 
home farm, assisting in its care and cultivation until his marriage to 
Miss Henrietta Eggers, a daughter of Louis Gustavus Eggers, who was 
born in Germany, whence when a lad of ten years he came to the New 
World. He became a Lutheran minister, his first charge being the church 
at Snydertown, Centre county, and he died in 1883, at Palmyra, this 
State, in the cemetery of which place he was laid to rest. Mrs. Beck, 
an excellent lady, was born May 25, 1840. By her marriage to our 
subject she has three children: Lydia J., born October 29, 1870; Emma 
J., born February 23, 1876; and Louis H., born April 12, 1878. The 
family is an intelligent and cultured one, and the young ladies are 
beautiful and accomplished, holding a prominent position in the social 
circles of the community.
 Coming of an old Democratic family, Mr. Beck has always given his 
allegiance to that party, believing that through it can be secured the 
best form of government. With his family he holds membership in the 
Lutheran Church. As a man he is looked upon by the community as one 
whom they can trust, "who breaks no promise, serves no private end; who 
gains no office, but who has lost no friend."