Millard Smith "Smith" Beck (1870-1932)

BECK, MIGHELL, MAXWELL, CHAFFEE

Posted By: Dorian Myhre (email)
Date: 8/16/2021 at 19:12:07

From Nevada Evening Journal September 6, 1932 (page 3)

Sketch of Life Work of Smith Beck

Special to the Journal.
Cambridge, Sept. 6--Smith Beck, whose death occurred Sunday, Aug. 28, at the U. S. Naval Hospital, Great Lakes, Ill., had been a citizen of Cambridge and community for more than a half century. He was most highly esteemed in his own community and had many friends in other communities. A most excellent baseball player, enthusiastic over the national game he won the admiration of the local baseball fans. His intense devotion to the various phases of the Masonic fraternity brought him in contact with a large number of members of that order.

Millard Smith Beck, son of DeWitt Clinton and Esther Abigail Mighell Beck, was born at Plano, Ill., April 13, 1870. In 1877 he came with his parents to Union township, Story county to a farm three miles northeast of Cambridge. In Marsh 1879 the family moved into the village. With the exception of a year at Indianola, Neb., and three years at Marfa, Texas, this has been his home. When twelve years old his mother died. Three years later his father married again. Into this new home came Chares and James Beck, recently deceased, Mrs. Margaret Maxwell and Miss Nellie Beck, who with their mother, Mrs. Barbara Beck, mourn his death. Mr. Beck has many relatives living in various parts of the United States.

Mr. Beck has been a printer, a book-keeper and was in the service of the Milwaukee and Southern Pacific railroads. June 16, 1898 he answered the call for volunteers for the Spanish-American war. He enlisted in Company A, Fifty-first Iowa Infantry. This regiment served in the Philippine islands during the insurrection of 1898 and 1899. He was mustered out as a Corporal, Nov. 2, 1899 at the Presidio Military Reservation, San Francisco. He was a member of Lawton Camp, No. 2, United Spanish War veterans, Des Moines and also of Des Moines Post, No. 738, Veterans of Foreign Wars.

Baseball was his lifelong hobby. In 1895 he played with the Western College team of Toledo, Iowa. In the earlier years he was a member of the Cambridge teams and helped the local organization to win fame for its efficiency. This community had no more enthusiastic follower of that great sport.

Mr. Beck was secretary of the local Masonic lodge at the time of his death. This position he had held with marked proficiency for years. He held his membership in the Chapter, Council and Commandery at Ames. He was among the pioneers of those now living who mastered the secret work in a most proficient manner and held the position of district lecturer. He was one of the original promoters of the group meeting which now number more than seventy in this state and have done much for maintaining the deepening interest in Masonry.

Funeral services were held Wednesday afternoon at one o'clock in the Methodist church conducted by Rev. Peter Jacobs of Shenandoah, Iowa, a former pastor. Rev. Jacobs selected for his subject, "The Trestle Board of Life." The quartet, Mrs. A. K. Applegate, Mrs. Carrie Scott, Mrs. Chas. M. Webb and Mr. G. N. Nelson sang three hymns. Mrs. G. N. Nelson was the pianist. Two soldiers from the Soldiers' Home at Marshalltown were the guard of honor. The body was taken to Marshalltown, where the Masonic order conducted its ritualistic memorial service. Interment was in the cemetery where others who have served their country were placed for their final rest.

Mr. Beck gave himself most painstakingly and most wholeheartedly to whatever task was at hand. This accounted for his skill in baseball, this characterized his thoroughness in all his clerical work. His patriotic fervor was most intense. He always was deeply concerned about the welfare of his country. In his Masonic work he had a reverence for the historic, a fine appreciation of the wonderful teachings. His enthusiasm developed interest in others who engaged in a deeper study and proficiency.

There was a large attendance at the funeral service. A number of communities where he was well known were respected. One cousin, Mrs. Angie Garfield Chaffee of Huron, S. D., came to attend the funeral.