BECK, James Shriver - 1890 Bio (1821-1891)

BECK, EVANS, JUNKEN, JUNKIN, ATKINSON

Posted By: Joey Stark
Date: 7/28/2007 at 13:37:18

Portrait and Biographical Album of Jefferson and Van Buren Counties, Iowa, Printed 1890 by Lake City Publishing Co., Chicago
Pages 203-204

James S. BECK, who is now living a retired life in Fairfield, has spent forty-seven years in Iowa, and with the exception of three years of that period he has been a merchant of Jefferson County. He was born in Fayette County, Pa., in 1821, and is a son of James and Sarah (EVANS) BECK. On the paternal side he is of Irish descent, his father having emigrated to America from the North of Ireland. His mother however, was born in Lancaster County, Pa. During the early childhood of oursubject (sic), the parents removed with their family to Wheeling, Va., where the father died about 1830.

In Wheeling our subject was reared to manhood, and at the age of nineteen years went to Kentucky, whence he afterward made his way to Delavan, Ill. Later we find him in Springfield, Ill., and in the autumn of 1844, he came to Keokuk, Iowa, and in 1848 joined the Des Moines River expedition. For a time he engaged in farming in Lee County, and in 1846 he came to Fairfield.

Thus far since attaining to mature years, Mr. BECK has traveled the journey of life alone, but on the 1st of March, 1849, he was united in marriage with Miss Narcissa JUNKEN (sic - JUNKIN), who was born in Wheeling, Va., and with her parents, whose sketch is given on another page of this volume, came to Fairfield in 1841. Their union was blessed with one daughter, Lucy H., who is now the wife of John H. ATKINSON, of Webster City, Iowa.

In political sentiment, Mr. BECK is a Democrat, and by that party was twice elected Sheriff of Jefferson County, holding the office four years, from 1867 until 1871. The opposing party had a majority of six or seven hundred, but his personal popularity combined with his ability, won for him the office, and it is needless to say the duties were faithfully performed. In his business enterprises, Mr. BECK has been quite successful. For about ten years he was engaged in merchandising in Fairfield, eight years of which time he carried on operations as a partner of J. J. Gibson, under the firm name of Gibson & BECK. At length having acquired an ample competency to enable him to spend his declining years in rest from the arduous cares and duties of business life, he disposed of his interest in the store, and is now living in retirement. Socially, he is a member of the Masonic fraternity. His wife is a member of the Presbyterian Church.

Not the least interesting period in the life of Mr. BECK has been his pioneer experience. He is one of the honored early settlers of Jefferson County, shared in the hardships and trials incident to life on the frontier, and was also a partaker of its pleasures, many of which are unknown at this day. He helped to build the first house in Omaha in 1853, ran a ferry at that place, and in 1857 sold goods in Council Bluffs. The years 1859 and 1860, he spent at Pike's Peak, Colo. In his journeyings, his genial manner and gentlemanly deportment, his courteous treatment of all, won him many friends, and the same characteristics displayed throughout his residence in Jefferson County have made him one of her best known and most highly respected citizens. Years may come and go, but James S. BECK will be long remembered by those who had the pleasure of his acquaintance.

*Transcribed for genealogy purposes; I have no relation to the person(s) mentioned.