Chambers County AL Archives Biographies - Rev. John Beck This file contributed for use in USGenWeb Archives by Charlene Parker" Sep 2002 ********************************************************************************** USGENWEB NOTICE: In keeping with our policy of providing free information on the Internet, data may be used by non-commercial entities, as long as this message remains on all copied material. These electronic pages may NOT be reproduced in any format for profit or for presentation by other persons or organizations. Persons or organizations desiring to use this material for purposes other than stated above must obtain the written consent of the file contributor. The submitter has given permission to the USGenWeb Archives to store this file permanently for free access. http://www.usgwarchives.net/ga/clay.htm Table of Contents page http://www.usgwarchives.net/ga/gafiles.htm Georgia Table of Contents ********************************************************************************** From "History of Bethel Association Including Centennial Meeting", by Alexander Lee Miller The subject of this sketch was born in La Fayette, Chambers County, Alabama, February 19, 1841. His father, Rev. J. J. Beck, was a Baptist minister, and died two years after the son was born. His father was John Beck, a Presbyterian minister, and well-to-do rice planter and a slave owner of Buford District, South Carolina. Young John Beck's mother removed first to Troup County, Georgia and then to Stewart County, Georgia where her son was reared, and received a common school education. While a youth of fifteen years he commenced teaching, and was a private tutor in South Carolina. About this time and before the Civil War he began reading law. When the war began he enlisted in the 23rd. South Carolina Regiment and was made Ordinance Sergeant and subsequently was made Brigade Ordinance Sargeant. At the close of the war he located at Morgan, Georgia and at that place taught school and read law, and was admitted to the bar late in the year of 1866. At that time Judge John T. Clarke was the presiding Judge, of this circuit. After his admission to the bar, he began immediately to follow his profession as an attorney-at-law and became very popular as a lawyer. He was successful and had a large clientile. He held the office of Ordinary of Calhoun County at one time, was Judge of the County Court, and was also County School Commissioner. In 1884 he was elected as Representative of Calhoun County to the General Assembly. Mr. Beck was twice married, his first marriage was to Miss Sara C., daughter of Rev. S. Parker, a leading Baptist minister of Randolph County, Georgia. She died in 1891. His second marriage was to Mrs. Jennie Powell of Terrell County. He had four children by his first wife, Floy, Walter, Jeddie and Cleo. Mr. Beck was Royal Arch Mason, as Worshipful Master of Concord Lodge and presided as High Priest of his Chapter. Soon after coming to Morgan he connected himself with the Baptist Church at that place and was a useful and consistent member of that church, actively supporting the church. He gave of his substance for the local expense and support of the causes fostered by the denomination, wisely counselled the church and was a safe and sane leader. While he did not seek the high offices of the church or his Association yet they both had his undivided support. He has been missed in his community since his death.