Biographical and Historical Record of Ringgold and Decatur Counties, Iowa, (Lewis Publishing Company (1887)), p. 562:
        "THOMAS T. BECK, son of the pioneer, John H. Beck, resides on the homestead established by his father in 1855, on section 18, Decatur Township. Mr. Beck dates his birth in Guernsey County, Ohio, October 21, 1845, coming with his parents to Decatur County, Iowa, when nine years of age, and has since lived on the homestead where he at present resides. He was united in marriage June 6, 1869, to Miss Sarah Crees, daughter of Joseph Crees, a pioneer of Grand River Township. She was born near Fairfield, Iowa, April 20, 1851, and has lived in Decatur County since her childhood. Of the five children born to Mr. and Mrs. Beck, only three survive -- Wirt J., Walter and Verne. Rolla F. and Ada A. are deceased. Mr. Beck is classed among the enterprising, public-spirited young men of Decatur Township. Beside the homestead farm he owns eighty acres of improved land in the south part of section 18, and forty acres of land on section 12, Grand River Township, the latter also being well improved. Mr. and Mrs. Beck are active members of the Methodist church. In politics Mr. Beck cases his suffrage with the Republican party."

(Submitted to the Decatur County GenWeb site by Christy Jay, email: Jaygenie@aol.com)