In the book's own words, not ours, with obvious scanning errors fixed. Families often supplied these stories to the publisher, so check key dates.
Born 1799
From Centennial History of Butler County, Ohio (1905)
JAMES C. BECKETT.
Butler county is remarkable for its many distinguished pioneers. Prominent among the names of such is that of James C. Beckett, of Union township, a brief sketch of whose life we present here. Mr. Beckett was born December 24, 1799, on Mill creek, Hamilton county, Ohio. The father of James C. was John Beckett, who was an American officer in the Revolutionary war, and after the close of the war was engaged in the transporting of goods, etc., between Cincinnati and old Fort Hamilton. In 1810 John Beckett settled in what is now known as Union township, and from which time dates the residence of James C. Beckett in this county.
May 18, 1842, Mr. Beckett married Eliza Jane Baxter, who died December 16, 1871. Mr. Beckett was the parent of four sons, viz.: James M., William F., Charles K. and John B. He was one of the wealthy landowners of the county, and at the time of his death owned about thirteen hundred acres of land, of which eight hundred acres were in Macon county, Illinois. His homestead, near West Chester, Butler county, containing about five hundred acres, now owned by his son, James M. Beckett, is well situated and the buildings and surroundings are an ornament to the locality. Mr. Beckett lived to an honored old age, and died universally respected.
As printed in Centennial History of Butler County, Ohio (1905). See the original pages. Wording is the original; obvious scanning errors have been corrected, and a few may remain.
The printed record stops around 1905. We trace your line from there down to you, with every source cited.