Biographical Sketch of Lorenzo BECK (1893); Chester County, PA

Contributed for use in USGenWeb Archives by John Morris <jMcDmorris@comcast.net>.

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Source: "Biographical and Portrait Cyclopedia of Chester County, Pennsylvania,
comprising a historical sketch of the county", by Samuel T. Wiley and edited
by Winfield Scott Garner, Gresham Publishing Company, Philadelphia, PA, 1893,
pp. 808-9.

"LORENZO BECK, an honored citizen and resident of West Chester for over a
quarter of a century, was born in Thornbury, Delaware county, Pennsylvania,
October 17, 1812 and is a son of Michael and Sarah (Perkins) Beck.  His
father was a highly respected citizen of Delaware county, a prosperous miller,
and a stanch upholder of and believer in the principles of the Methodist Epis-
copal church, of which he was a faithful member until his death, in 1846 at
the age of sixty-three years.  He married Sarah Perkins, and they had a
family of eight children, of whom the subject of this sketch is the only one
now living, he being the third in order of age.  The others were: Adley, John,
Deborah, Sarah, Lorenzo, Lydia, William and Levis.

"Lorenzo Beck was educated in the public schools of his native county, where
he was successfully engaged in business until 1864.  He lived for several
years in the town of East Goshen, where he carried on the business of edge
tool maker, a trade to which he was apprenticed in his youth in the village
of Wawa.  In 1864, at the age of fifty-two years, he removed to West Chester,
this county, where he now lives a quiet and retired life, at the advanced age
of eighty years, respected and esteemed as one who has helped to build up and
add to its material prosperity.  Since 1868 he has been one of the directors
of the National bank of Chester county.  Mr. Beck in his political prefer-
ences, differs from his father, who was a life long member of the Democratic
party, and is a warm supporter of the principles of the Republican party,
which publicly recognized his services by electing him to the office of
county commissioner, in which position he served acceptably for a term of
three years.  Although his parents were Methodists, yet Mr. Beck has been for
many years a member of the Society of Friends, in whose faith and doctrines
he firmly believes.

"He has been twice married, his first wife was Phoebe G. Thatcher, and after
her death he wedded Mrs. Mary Marshall, nee Kraston.  Mr. Beck throughout his
long and active life has always conducted his affairs honorably and honestly,
and upon correct business principles."