In the books' own words, not ours, with obvious scanning errors fixed. The later printing (1915) is folded below the first. Families often supplied these stories to the publisher, so check key dates.
Born 1854, Franklin township
From Biographical review of Des Moines County, Iowa (1905), History of Des Moines County, Iowa (1915)
JOHN T. BECKMAN.
[This passage is too damaged in the scanned book to reproduce. See the original book.]
Following his return to Iowa Mr. Beckman was married in Burlington to Miss Berdine Niemann, who was born in Germany, and came to the United States about 1850, sailing from Bremen. She was fourteen weeks on the voyage, and after reaching the shores of the New World made her way direct to Burlington. She was accompanied by her father, John Niemann, three brothers, Clement, Bernard, and John, and her sister Elizabeth, who afterward married Fiedal Hartman, of Burlington. The brothers settled in Burlington, and died leaving families. Mr. and Mrs. Beckman had become acquainted prior to his sojourn in California, and they were married in 1853, settling on his farm, where they have since lived, he becoming one of the most prosperous and extensive agriculturists of this part of the State. Nine children were born unto them, John T., Sylvester, Mary, Frank, Matilda, Henry, Annie, Theodore W., and Frances.
John T. Beckman pursued his education in the common schools, and in his youth assisted in the operation of the home farm, becoming familiar with all the duties and labors that fall to the lot of the agriculturist. He remained with his father until nearly twenty-seven years of age, and was then married and began farming on his own account, being associated with agricultural interests until 1892. He then devoted his attention between farming and general merchandising, and he still conducts both business enterprises, with the assistance of those whom he employs for the purpose. In November, 1904, he removed to Burlington, although he had been associated with business enterprises of this city for some time previous. In February, 1902, he became secretary and treasurer of the Moehn Brewing Company, which position he still fills, and is a stockholder in the Citizens' State Bank, of Mediapolis, and in the Danville State Bank. His business enterprise, laudable ambition, and strong determination have led him out of the field of limited endeavor into broad activity, and he is to-day a representative business man of this city and county. His progress has been made continuously and along safe lines, and while advancing his individual interests he has also contributed to the growth and improvement of business conditions of the county.
On the 20th of April, 1880, Mr. Beckman was married to Miss Theresa Ritter, a (laughter of John Ritter, of Fort Madison, and they had six children, of whom three died in infancy. Those living are Edward J., Mary, and Theresa. The wife and mother died in 1892, and on Feb. 12, 1895, Mr. Beckman was again married, his second union being with Julia Walz, at Burlington, a daughter of Dennis Walz. There is one child of this marriage, Theodore.
In his political affiliation Mr. Beckman is a Democrat, and he has held several township offices, including those of trustee and assessor: In matters of citizenship he is always public-spirited and progressive, and his co-operation has proved a valued factor in promoting many measures for the public good. He is a man of distinct and forceful individuality, who has left and is leaving his impress upon the business world.
As printed in Biographical review of Des Moines County, Iowa (1905). See the original pages. Wording is the original; obvious scanning errors have been corrected, and a few may remain.
JOHN T. BECKMAN.
John T. Beckman has since 1904 been identified with the Moehn Brewery and is now secretary and treasurer of the company which owns and manager the plant. He was born in Dodgeville, Iowa, June 7, 1854, a son of Theodore and Bernadine (Niemann) Beckman. The latter was a daughter of John Niemann, who came to Des Moines county from Germany in 1849. Theodore Beckman arrived in Burlington in 1850, but the following year went to California, attracted by the gold discoveries on the Pacific coast, where he remained for about two years, returning in 1853. '' en married and purchased a farm in Franklin township, upon which he resided to the time of his death, which occurred July 20, 1910, when he had reached the venerable age of eighty-eight years. His wife passed away at the age of seventy-eight years. They were members of the Catholic church.
John T. Beckman, the oldest in their family of nine children, all of whom are yet living, was educated in the public schools of Dodgeville and had the usual experiences of the farm boy during his youth, dividing his time between the work of the schoolroom, the pleasures of the playground and the tasks which came to him in connection with the development of the fields. After attaining his majority he those to give his attention to the occupation to which he had been reared and continued in farming until forty years of age, at the same time conducting a general store and acting as postmaster of Dodgtville for twelve years. In 1904, however, he came to Burlington and purchased an interest in the Moehn Brewery, one of the leading establishments of this kind in the city. He was made its secreloIIX T. BECKMAX tary and treasurer and in that office is taking an active part in promoting the interests of the business. In addition he still owns farming property, from which he derives a substantial annual income.
In 1880 Mr. Beckman was united in marriage to Miss Theresa Ritter, who died in 1892, leaving three children: Edward J., who is now engaged in the cultivation of his father's farm; Mary A., the wife of Roy Riffle, who is also residing upon the farm; and Theresa, the wife of William Riffle, who follows farming on the land owned by her father. In 1896 Mr. Beckman was again married, his second union being with Miss Julia Walz, a native of Lowell, Iowa, and they have a son, Theodore, at home.
The parents and children are members of the Catholic church and Mr. Beckman holds membership with the Elks, the Eagles and the Moose. In his political views he is a democrat and has served as assessor and trustee of his township. He has always preferred, however, to concentrate his energies upon his business affairs and aside from his brewing and farming interests he is known in financial circles as a director of the Mediapolis Bank. His life has been a busy one, and his close application and energy have brought to him the measure of success which is today his.
As printed in History of Des Moines County, Iowa (1915). 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.