CHARLES WESLEY BECK

BECK, LAKE, CHERRY, EDMISTON

Posted By: Nancee Seifert <iggy29@grm.net>
Date: 11/5/2009 at 11:59:59

Decatur County Journal
Leon, Iowa
Thursday, July 7, 1910

CHARLES WESLEY BECK was born Dec. 1, 1832, in the State of Pennsylvania, and
died at his home in Leon, Iowa, June 29, 1910, aged 77 years, 6 months and
28 days.

When he was but a small child he moved with his parents to Ohio, locating at
Zainesville, where he attended the public schools, graduating from college
at Wheeling, West Virginia. With his parents he came to Iowa in 1851, his
father, JOHN BECK, entering government land in Decatur Township, which has
never been transferred outside the family, being now owned by his son, T.T.
BECK. After coming to Iowa the deceased engaged in teaching school,
teaching the first school ever taught at the Diamond School House, and also
the first school taught at Decatur City. While teaching at Decatur City, he
married Miss MARY E. LAKE, one of his pupils, August 22, 1858, and to their
union were born four children, the eldest WILLARD G., dying July 3, 1884.
Mrs. BECK died Sept. 5, 1891. The surviving children are E.E. and CLAUDE W.
BECK, of Leon, and Mrs. ZOE CHERRY, of Des Moines. Mr. BECK was again
married on Thanksgiving day, 1892, to Mrs. ELLEN E. EDMISTON, who survives
him.

Shortly after his marriage in 1858 he moved to the settlement at Funktown,
where he engaged in the mercantile business, afterwards going to Westerville
and Mt. Ayr, where he was in the same business. When the war of the
rebellion broke out he enlisted in Co. C 5th Kas. Cav., and was the first
orderly sergeant of the company. After the war was over he engaged in the
drug business at Decatur City, and in 1874 moved to Leon engaging in the
drug business in this city for a number of years. For many years he has
been a justice of the peace in Leon and carried a line of insurance.

Mr. BECK was a highly educated gentleman, one of the old school, and one who
was remarkably well informed on all subjects. Kind and courteous he enjoyed
the friendship and esteem of the entire community. Of late years he had
suffered considerably from rheumatism and heart disease, but he never
complained. He was down town as usual on Monday, but on Tuesday was not
feeling well and remained at home, reading a good part of the day. About
midnight Mrs. BECK heard him moving about and as she spoke to him he gave a
gasp and became unconscious, dying before a physician could be summoned.

He was one of the oldest Knights Templar, Mason and Odd Fellow in the state,
and for many years occupied offices in the various orders, being a faithful
attendant until the infirmities of old age prevented him from going out at
night to attend lodge.

Funeral services were held at the home on Thursday afternoon, conducted by
Rev. L. Hughes, pastor of the Presbyterian Church assisted by Rev. S. Coffin
pastor of the Christian Church. The services at the grave were conducted
by the Masonic Lodge of which he had been a member for more than fifty years
Many floral offerings testified to the high esteem in which the deceased
was held.

Interment was in the Leon Cemetery.
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Copied by Nancee(McMurtrey)Seifert
November 5, 2009

Note: T.T. Beck is his brother -- not his son as stated in this obituary.

Decatur Obituaries maintained by Stacey McDowell Dietiker with the
WebBBS 4.33 Genealogy Modification Package by WebJourneymen