In the books' own words, not ours, with obvious scanning errors fixed. The later printing (1906) is folded below the first. Families often supplied these stories to the publisher, so check key dates.
Born 1854, Union township
From A portrait and biographical record of Allen and Van Wert counties, Ohio; (1896), History of Van Wert County, Ohio and Representative Citizens (1906)
[This passage is too damaged in the scanned book to reproduce. See the original book.]
As printed in A portrait and biographical record of Allen and Van Wert counties, Ohio; (1896). See the original pages. Wording is the original; obvious scanning errors have been corrected, and a few may remain.
IOHN D. BECK, one of the substantial citizens and representative farmers of Pleasant township, whose well-cultivated farm of 80 acres is situated in section 3, was born May 11, 1854, in Union township, Van Wert County, Ohio. He is a son of Michael and Mary Ann (Feighner) Beck.
The parents of Mr. Beck were natives of Pennsylvania, and were pioneer settlers in the heavily timbered part of Union township. Van Wert County. They built their log cabin there, and endured many of the privations and hardships which fell to the lot of early settlers. Michael Beck was a man of sterling qualities, and became one of the best known and most highly respected citizens of Union township, where he served many years as a justice of the peace; he also served as township trustee and township treasurer. He was one of the liberal, early supporters of the Lutheran Church, and through life was a con-
[This passage is too damaged in the scanned book to reproduce. See the original book.]
John D. Beck spent his boyhood and youth on his father's farm in Union township, and obtained his education in the best schools the vicinity of his home at that time afforded. His life has been devoted to agricultural pursuits, and his successful methods have often been adopted by his fellow farmers, with good results. He has a very fine farm and comfortable and attractive buildings.
Mr. Beck was united in marriage with Amanda J. Burtsfield, on December 26, 1878. She was born in Richland County, Ohio, March 17, 1858, and was 12 years old when she accompanied her parents, John and Catherine (Shoup) Burtsfield, to Union township, where they were early settlers. Mr. and Mrs. Burtsfield were natives of Pennsylvania. Mr. Burtsfield served as a justice of the peace in Union township and was also township treasurer. He died June 15, 1902, his wife having passed away September 21, 1898. The surviving children of Mr. and Mrs. Burtsfield are: Sarah L., John H. and Prudence A. (Mrs. S. A. McClure), of Union township; Amanda J., wife of our subject; Jacob, of Union township; and Samuel Stephen, of Toledo, Ohio; and Jessie A. (Mrs. Charles Elder), of Van Wert.
Mr. and Mrs. Beck have had five children, viz.: Catherine M. (Mrs. Charles C. Robinson), of Van Wert County; Alice A.; Stephen G.; George G.; and Flo L. The family belong to Pleasant Chapel, Methodist Episcopal Church.
Politically Mr. Beck is identified with the
Democratic party. He was one of the school directors of District No. 3, Pleasant township, and has always taken a great deal of interest in educational affairs. He is a man who stands very high in his neighborhood and enjoys the respect of all who hnow him.
As printed in History of Van Wert County, Ohio and Representative Citizens (1906). See the original pages. Wording is the original; obvious scanning errors have been corrected, and a few may remain.
Named in this biography: John Roat (b. 1852)
The printed record stops around 1896. We trace your line from there down to you, with every source cited.