HON. JUDGE BECK

BECK, MORRIS, RHINEHART, CLAY

Posted By: County Coordinator
Date: 10/12/2019 at 20:41:40

HON. JUDGE BECK—Joseph Morris Beck, was born April 21, 1823, in Clermont Co., Ohio. He was the youngest of eight children, whose parents were Samuel Beck and Hannah Morris, who were prosperous as agriculturists, and distinguished for piety—both being earnest members of the Baptist church. His mother was a daughter of Isaac Morris, of Virginia, and a brother of Senator Morris of Ohio, distinguished as an early and fearless advocate of human freedom, and for his opposition to the monstrous anomaly of a slave-holding Republic. The Morris branch of the family were of Welsh extraction, and the Beck of English. His education was accomplished by his own exertion - teaching school, with other employments of an honorable nature, gave him the means of securing a thorough education at Hanover College, which institution he left in 1813, and began teaching as Principal of the seminary at Vernon, Ind., where he remained for one academical year. He then removed to Kentucky, where he taught for two years. He then read law in Madison, Ind., in the office of Miles C. Eggleston, distinguished at that time as an eminent jurist. In 1846 he was admitted to the bar; and, after teaching school for six months in Kentucky, he came to Lee Co., Iowa, and settled in Montrose, where he practiced his profession for a space of two years. In 1850, he came to Fort Madison. In 1852, he was elected Prosecuting Attorney, and also Mayor of Fort Madison. In 1867, he was elected Judge of the Supreme Court, which honor he has held ever since, and is now a candidate for re-election, having received the nomination of the convention without a dissenting voice. He is at present Chief Justice of the Supreme Bench. In 1854, he was united in marriage to Clara C. Rhinehart, daughter of Dr. Wm. Rhinehart, of Fort Madison. He is the father of three children, two of whom are living. In politics, the Judge is a strong Republican, and voted first for Henry Clay. He has always been antislavery; and when young, engaged at teaching school in a slave-holding State, at a time when the advocacy of the rights of the black man was perilous, was distinguished for his manly and fearless attacks of the evil of human servitude. The Judge possess a powerful mathematical mind. At an early day, when pursuing his collegiate education, he was remarkable for his proficiency in the mathematics. But it will be in taste to remark that he was prominent as a scholar in all his classes. In religion, he is a member of the Baptist church. Joined this church when quite young, was superintendent of a Sabbath school in his youth, when pursuing his first legal studies. From that time to this he has taken a great interest in the Sunday-school cause. He is distinguished for his interest in education and our common schools, as one of the great institutions of the land. He has been Trustee of the Fort Madison Academy, and President of the Board for a number of years. He has always led a temperate life. Temperance in language, action and intercourse is rather with him a natural conduct. It may be remarked that his life has been one of ceaseless activity and industry, and his assiduous attention to the legal interests of the commonwealth, within the province of the Supreme Court, is a matter of admiration on the part of his intimate legal acquaintances. In society, the Judge is earnest. He cannot be rightly termed as given to much levity. The educational discipline imparted to his mind by studies of a mathematical and abstract nature have perhaps given it a permanent bias. It may be said with truth, that on “his features sits deliberation and public care.” His constitution is yet robust, and his labors appear to have not impaired a body of more than natural vigor.

Source:
Illustrated Historical ATLAS of Lee County, IOWA
A. T. Andreas
Chicago, ILL.
1874

Transcription by Mary H. Cochrane, Volunteer