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         CONRAD BECK, one of the early settlers of Des Moines County, now residing at Morning Sun, this county, was born in Hesse-Darmstadt, Germany, near the city of Frankfort-on-the-Main, Dec. 25, 1808. He remained in his native land until 1827, when he went to England, and there resided until 1832, when he sailed for America. After landing in New York he went directly to Dutchess County, N. Y., where he was employed as gardener for Gen. Luce. In 1833 he went to Pike County, Ill, where he purchased land, making it his home for five years, but in 1838 sold out and went to Burlington, which then consisted of but a few scattered cabins. Soon afterward he went to Rome, Henry County, where he purchased 160 acres of land, but not liking the situation sold out and purchased eighty acres in Pleasant Grove Township, upon which he built a large stone house, that is still in his possession.

On the 26th of February, 1842, Mr. Beck was united in marriage with Miss Sophia Grota, who was born in the Kingdom of Prussia, in 1821, and came to America in 1840 with her parents, locating in Baltimore, Md., but who in 1842 removed to Des Moines County, Iowa.

In 1850, shortly after the gold fever broke out, Mr. Beck crossed the plains to California, leaving home on the 25th of March, and arriving at Hangtown in September. He was there engaged in mining for about sixteen months, when he sailed from San Francisco. The vessel was caught in a calm and laid by for many days, when a heavy storm caught them and drove them off their course. The boat was heavily loaded with passengers, the rations gave out, and there was some talk by the passengers that one of their number should be killed to eat. About this time a ship fortunately hove in sight, and they succeeded in buying $500 worth of food. The finally landed at Chapultepec, where they laid in supplies received from or through the assistance of the American Consul. There they purchased mules, and proceeded to Vera Cruz, a distance of 600 miles. This was soon after the Mexican War, and the people were not very friendly, often throwing brick-bats and stones at the party. From Vera Cruz they made their way to New Orleans, and thence by rail to Burlington. While on the latter part of their journey the cholera broke out, and many died while coming up on the boat.

Mr. and Mrs. Beck are the parents of nine children: Mary, wife of Daniel Schunck, of Missouri; Sarah, who is single; William, who has charge of his father’s large property, is an enterprising man and has one of the largest herds of Polled-Angus cattle in the State, and in his own name has 800 acres of valuable land; Caroline is the wife of Fred Smith, of Des Moines County; Henry; Cassie, wife of Ed McClurken, of Morning Sun; Senna, at home; Lizzie the wife of O. B. Jamison, of Newport, Iowa, and Emma, residing at home. Mr. Beck is one of the large land-owners of this section of the country, having 3,200 acres of finely cultivated land. He and his wife are both members of the German Methodist Episcopal Church.