Jacob P. Beck, b. 15 Dec 1842

CASPERSON, WILSON

Posted By: Donna Moldt Walker (email)
Date: 2/21/2004 at 10:50:43

Jacob P. Beck, a native of Germany is one of the most prominent of his countrymen in Maquoketa Township. During his sojourn in America, to which he came poor in purse, he has prospered financially, has acquired a good knowledge of the English language and is thoroughly in accord with the institutions of his adopted country. He arrived in this county without a dollar, but is now the owner of eighty acres of improved land on section 3, where he lives comfortably, and at the same time has made for himself the reputation of an honest man and a good citizen. In his efforts at building up a home he has been ably seconded by his excellent wife, who is a lady of refinement and intelligence and has been the faithful helpmate of her husband in all his worthy undertakings.

Mr. Beck was born Dec. 15, 1842, and spent his boyhood and youth on a farm in his native province. He received the advantages of a common-school education and remained under the parental roof until a young man of twenty-two years. He was then employed as a farm laborer until setting out for America, in May, 1874. He embarked at Hamburg on the steamer "Holsatea" and landed in New York City on the 22d of May following.

From the metropolis our subject proceeded directly westward, coming to this county, and landed in Maquoketa without a cent of money. His first business naturally was to seek employment, and he worked on various farms in this vicinity for a period of three years. Then going to Clinton County he operated on rented land until the spring of 1888. He was then in a condition to purchase, and secured eighty acres of partly improved land from which he has built up his present homestead. He put up a log house, a barn 24x40 feet in area, and the other buildings necessary for the successful prosecution of his calling. The land is watered by a running stream and under the wise management of its owner has become exceedingly productive.

Mr. Beck has performed a great deal of hard labor, working early and late, in the development of his land. He has set out forest and fruit trees, having now an abundance of shade and a fine orchard of apple-trees, together with the smaller fruits. He makes a speciality of stock-raising at the present, and operates a medium sized dairy. His livestock consists of cattle, horses and swine, of which he has some very good specimens. Without making any pretentions to elegance or show, he simply lives comfortably, pays his honest debts and enjoys the esteem of his fellow-men.

Our subject was married after coming to this county, March 20, 1880, to Miss Mary C. Casperson. Mrs. Beck, like her husband, was a native of Schleswig, Germany, and was born June 5, 1854. She came to America in 1879 and was a resident of Sabula, this county, until her marriage. Of her union with our subject there is only one child, a son - Peter, who was born May 20, 1881. Mr. Beck, politically, affiliates with the Republican party, and in religious matters is with his excellent wife a member in good standing of the Lutheran Church.

The parents of our subject were Peter P. and Mattie (Wilson) Beck, natives of the same province as their son and of pure German stock. They spent their entire lives upon their native soil, where the father operated as a small farmer. The parental household included five children; namely: Truels; Ellen, who died when thirteen years old; Jacob P., our subject; Anna, who died at the age of six years; Maria A., who continues in her native Germany. The paternal grandfather, Truels P. Beck, also a native of Schleswig, followed farming and was the owner of a good property. On the mother's side, Grandfather Jacob Wilson, was a native of the same locality, and also followed agricultural pursuits.

("Portrait and Biographical Album of Jackson County, Iowa", originally published in 1889, by the Chapman Brothers, of Chicago, Illinois)