Beck - William H. - Montgomery InGenWeb Project

Source: Crawfordsville Review Tuesday Jan 5, 1911 p 5

Word has been received by relatives in this city of the death of W. H. Beck at his home in Spearville, Kan. Mr. Beck was a brother of J. R. Beck of Thorntown, and a half brother of Abe and Jacob Caster, east of Crawfordsville, I. N. Caster of Lebanon, Mrs. John Trimble of Darlington and Mrs. Sarah Flinch of Mace. He was born in Montgomery county in 1832 and was left fatherless at the age of nine. In 1853 he was married to a Miss Mikels. They moved to Boone county, where they cleared land for a farm, but excessive work broke down his health and on the advice of a physician, he moved to Kansas in 1877, where he became famous all over the state as a pioneer in the raising of fruit in the unpromising soil of western Kansas. The Spearville News gives the following account of his death: "The vicinity was shocked last Sunday afternoon [Jan 3, 1911] by the news that W. H. Beck, one of the old pioneers, had died at his home in Spearville at 5 o'clock. Mr. Beck is well known around this part of the county, having been one of the oldest Odd Fellows in the state. He had received a gold medal from the order on his 50th year as a member of the order. He came to this country in 1885, and during most of the time since had lived in or near Spearville. He was 79 years of age, and since a boy had been a member of the Methodist church and a good Christian. "Funeral services services were conducted from the Methodist church Tuesday morning, the Odd Fellows of Dodge City and Spearville having charge, and Rev. Patterson, of Ford, delivering the sermon. Mr. Patterson preached Mrs. Beck's funeral seven years ago. "Two daughters and two sons, besides a host of sympathizing friends, are left to mourn his departure."