My Genealogy Hound

JOHN BECK, a representative resident of Northampton County, occupies a pleasant home in Upper Mt. Bethel Township, where for many years he carried on general farm pursuits. Essentially a self-made man, he has been successful in his undertakings, and his present valuable possessions are the result of his own industry and economy. His high moral principles, honesty and uprightness in all the concerns of life, and his excellent personal traits of character have endeared him to a large circle of associates throughout the township.

In the county where he still resides, and of which he has been a resjdent for nearly eighty consecutive years, the subject of this biography was born in February, 1816. His parents, Ludwig and Elizabeth (Schoch) Beck, were natives respectively of Northampton and Berks Counties, Pa. His paternal grandfather, Jacob Beck, was a native of Germany, and emigrated to America with his father some time during the last century. Both the grandfather and great-grandfather of Mr. Beck entered Government land, the patents for which our subject still has in his possession. So early in the history of this state did they make settlement here that they were occasionally obliged to cross the river into New Jersey to avoid the attacks of their savage foes.

Of the parental family three sons now survive, namely: John, of this sketch; Joseph, a resident of Ohio; and Ludwig, whose home is in Lower Mt. Bethel Township, opposite Belvidere, N. J. Our subject was reared in Northampton County, and attended the early subscription schools during about two months of the year, but in the main is self-educated, having by his own efforts acquired his present broad fund of knowledge. Establishing domestic ties, he married Miss Catherine Ott, and they became the parents of four children, namely: Lewis; Mary, wife of James L. Rosenberry; Emma, Mrs. Joseph Hagerman; and Amanda, Mrs. Charles S. Butz.

In the organization of the First National Bank of Bangor Mr. Beck largely aided, and is still one of its stockholders and Directors. He has served as School Director of Upper Mt. Bethel Township. His first ballot was cast for the hero of Tippecanoe, and he has since supported the measures of the Republican party. In addition to his home farm of two hundred acres, he is the owner of valuable real estate, being one of the most prosperous citizens of the county. He is a Director of the Columbia Bridge Company, that had in charge the erection of the bridge spanning the waters of the Delaware, between Portland and Columbia. A man of enterprise, industry and perseverance, he has contributed his full quota toward developing the resources of this section of the Keystone State. He is the stanch friend of education and morality, and may always be found on the side of right and justice.