BIO: Isaac BECK, Centre County, PA Contributed for use in the USGenWeb Archives by JRB Copyright 2009. All rights reserved. http://www.usgwarchives.net/copyright.htm http://www.usgwarchives.net/pa/centre/ http://www.usgwarchives.net/pa/centre/1picts/commbios/comm-bios.htm _____________________________________________________________________ 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. _____________________________________________________________________ ISAAC BECK. Prominent among the representative citizens and respected men of Half Moon township, Centre county, is found the subject of this biographical notice, who has a valuable farm of 160 acres. This is well improved and highly cultivated, and shows conclusively that the owner has not mistaken his calling in adopting agriculture. Mr. Beck was born in Half Moon township, October 8, 1835, a son of Daniel and Elizabeth (Cryder) Beck, who are now deceased, the former having died in 1883, the latter in 1884, and were laid to rest in the Lutheran cemetery, 314 COMMEMORATIVE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. in Half Moon township. They were of German descent, born near the city of Warriors Mark, Huntingdon Co., Penn., and were the parents of seven children. Our subject is indebted to the public schools of Centre county for his educational privileges, and upon the home farm became familiar with agricultural pursuits, which he decided to make his life work. On October 21, 1859, Mr. Beck married Miss Barbara Rider, a daughter of Michael and Barbara Rider, of Gatesburg, Penn. Her father was born in Dauphin county, this State, February 18, 1797, and died January 30, 1881, while her mother was born November 15, 1799, in Lebanon county, Penn., and departed this life March 9, 1874. In their family were twelve children, namely: Mary, born August 2, 1817, died August 22, 1869; Catharine was born January 29, 1821; Elizabeth, born December 21, 1822, died May 8, 1883; Lydia, born December 25, 1824, died September 1890; Sarah A., born December 13, 1826, died November 23, 1890; Jacob K., born February 15, 1829, makes his home in Gatesburg, Centre county; Michael C., born March 14, 1832, lives in Nebraska; Nancy, born August 13, 1834, is the wife of Samuel Musser, of Fairbrook, Centre county; John G., born May 15, 1836, is a resident of Gatesburg; Barbara, born April 22, 1838, is the honored wife of our subject; Mathias, born April 28, 1840, also makes his home at Gatesburg; and Ellen, born April 25, 1843, is the wife of William Hastings, of the same place. Four children grace the union of Mr. and Mrs. Beck, as follows: (1) Elmer E., born September 3, 1861, was married January 8, 1891, to Alice Whippo, by whom he has three children, and is now serving as superintendent of the farm in connection with the Huntingdon Reformatory, of Huntingdon county, Penn.; (2) Mary E., born October 1, 1863, was married June 27, 1889, to J. L. Cork, a clerk in the postal service, and they have two children: Salome and Barbara E. (3) William F., born January 18, 1866, married Sarah Campbell, daughter of Cornelius Campbell, of Altoona, Blair Co., Penn.; (4) Daniel J., born June 4, 1869, is still at home with his parents. Mr. Beck has been an ardent Republican in politics from the time he voted for Lincoln in 1861, and takes a deep interest in the success of his party; since the organization of the Grange in his community he has been identified with that movement; in religious faith he is an active and faithful member of the Lutheran Church. He is one of the most popular citizens of Half Moon township, thoroughly honest, upright and reliable, and is highly honored and respected by all who have the pleasure of his acquaintance. In his beautiful home hospitality abounds, the family delighting to entertain their many friends.