JACOB BEIK.

View Portrait of Mr. & Mrs. Jacob Beik

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Jacob Beik, who spent the larger part of his life in this, and was one of the prosperous farmers of Port Louisa township, was born in Germany, in May, 1832. He was a son of Frederick and Sarah (Schneider) Beik, both of whom were natives of Baden, Germany. The family emigrated to America in 1845 . . .

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. . . and after spending a year near Buffalo, New York, located in Louisa county, Iowa, where the father purchased one hundred and eighty-two acres of land. He was a man of good judgment and great industry and applied himself with such diligence that he acquired six hundred and thirty acres of land. He died August 23, 1884, his wife having been called away about two years previously, on December 13, 1882. There were the following children in their family, of whom three sons died within fifteen months: Frederick, who was born in Germany and died in California; Jacob, of this review; Sarah, the widow of a Mr. Benz, of Muscatine, Iowa; Louis, George and Katherine, all deceased.

         Jacob Beik came to America with his parents at the age of thirteen and a year later arrived in Iowa, where he spent the remainder of his life. He received his education in the public schools of Germany and Iowa, continuing with his parents until twenty-seven years of age. He then began farming on his own account and acquired three hundred and twenty acres in Port Louisa township. He devoted his attention especially to stock-feeding and, being a good judge of stock and also understanding thoroughly how to prepare the same for the market so as to receive the highest prices, he was very successful in his business.

         On June 18, 1863, Mr. Beik was married to Miss Emma H. Jackson, and to this union six children were born, four of whom survive, namely: Charles, of Port Louisa township; Mollie, the widow of John Hardman, also of Port Louisa township; Frank L.; and John J. The mother of these children died November 12, 1875, and Mr. Beik was married, August 23, 1877, to Miss Alverda A. Handley, who was born at New Boston, Illinois, March 30, and is a daughter of Eli and Katherine (Denison) Handley, both natives of Indiana. Her parents were married in Mercer county, Illinois, and were among the early settlers of Iowa. Her father was a cabinet-maker and followed his trade until his death, which occurred about 1896. Her mother died in 1857. They were the parents of two children: Alverda A.; and Elizabeth R., the wife of George Weiderecht, of Louisa county. Six children were born to Jacob and Alverda Beik: Emma G., who became the wife of Louis E. Downer, of Muscatine county, Iowa; Katie B., who married H. Schweitzer, Jr., of Grandview; Arthur K., superintendent of the Aurelia (Iowa) high school; Grace E., who is the wife of G. W. Weber, of Columbus Junction, superintendent of the high school; Harold J., a graduate of the Wapello high school, who is still at home; and Paul D., who is also at home and is now attending the high school.

         Mr. Beik died on the 18th of May, 1908, leaving many friends as well as his immediate family to mourn his death. He was a sincere believer in the Bible and a consistent member of the Church of God, with which his widow and children are connected. From his boyhood he was unusually active and industrious and he became a self-reliant man, who possessed the ability that would have won success in any honorable calling. He was a lover of his home and many acts of kindness endeared him to those with whom he was associated. As the father of a large family he set an example of patience and perseverance in well doing which his children found eminently worthy of imitation, and thus . . .

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. . . nobly he performed his part in life’s mission. Mrs. Alverda A. Beik is still living and resides upon the home farm, where she is surrounded by her children and possesses all of the comforts and conveniences that may be desired.