Biography of 	Beuker, E. G. Orleans Parish, Louisiana
Submitted by 	Mike Miller November 1997

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In August, 1843, E. G. Beuker first saw the light of day in Baden,
Germany, being a son of J. M. Beuker, an influential advocate of the
revolution in Germany, serving in the war of 1848, and for political
reason  was forced to leave Europe and seek a refuge in America.  He
reached the United States in 1850: soon after he purchased a tract of
land on Lake Maurepas, it being at that time thinly settled, opened up
land and continued to till until his death, in 1855.  E. G. Beuker, both
his parents having died, was given to a Capt. V. Bonner, owner of a
sailing schooner between New Orleans and said lake  This life he did not
admire, but, having no friends, he made the best of it for the time
being.  Later he became acquainted with Mr. J. W. Albro, and, desiring
to learn the carpenter' s trade and become a machinist, he served an
apprenticeship with him in the employ of the New Orleans, Jackson &
Great Northern railroad, which is now a part of the Illinois Central
railroad.  His opportunities for acquiring an education were very
limited, but he being ambitious to learn he entered a night school,
paying his way out of his small earnings.  At the breaking out of the
war Mr. Beuker entered the confederate army, but served only a few
months, when he was detached to do duty as engineer, having been the one
to haul the Pointe Coupee battery to battle to Vicksburg, Corinth and
Shiloh.  He was a favorite among his fellow workmen and was always
willing to do duty, no matter how dangerous.  He knew no fear, as will
be shown further on.  He was taken prisoner at Canton, Miss., and
removed to Vicksburg, at which place he made his escape by sliding down
a large brick column during a dark night.  He was aware of a certain
dispatch boat, belonging to the United States, the steamer "Clide," then
at the wharf, awaiting orders, which had steam up continuously.  Being
an old chum of the engineer in charge, he was taken into its hull and
there kept in darkness for eleven days.  Upon their arrival at New
Orleans he was sent on shore at night.  It was then, he was at a loss
what to do, having nothing but a gray uniform and a confederate blanket,
not a cent of money and no friend to go to for assistance.  He soon
found himself among friends, and engaged himself to work for the United
Slates government in running a sawmill near New Orleans.  At the end of
the war he returned to railroad work again, but one year later came to
Pointe Coupee parish, and was here engaged in running sawmills and
putting up machinery, devoting part of his time to planting of a sugar
plantation, in partnership with another gentleman; but their connection
was dissolved in 1877.  Mr. Beuker is a perfect engineer in all branches
of sugar-house apparatus, and has taken off twenty crops of cane on one
plantation.  In the event of the machinery of other plantations getting
out of shape, or a break-down, he is always sent for.  He is counseled
with as to the feasibility of the many changes in sugar machinery and
their, improvements, and has also been called upon by the police jury
for his ideas of the public works and bridges being constructed, at all
times being one of the committee.  He takes a very active part in the
welfare of the parish.  Mr. Beuker purchased an 800-acre tract of land,
on which a sawmill had been erected, but in bad shape.  He soon had
things in order, and his successful management of this mill gave him a
start in this world, and he has now 600 acres of fine cypress timber,
also one third interest in a new mill.  He was appointed by Gov.
Nicholls a police juror in 1877, in which capacity he served until he
was elected to the position of sheriff in 1878, which office he still
holds, and at present there is another election, but he has no
opponents.  Under his regime the parish is enjoying great freedom from a
former lawless class, and crime is now exceedingly rare, as the jail is
empty half of the time.  He possesses courage of a high order, and the
lawless blacks hold him in wholesome fear, although they like him.  He
is admirably fitted for the position he fills, and his long term in
office admirably illustrated the estimation in which he is held by the
people as an official.  He was married in 1865 to Mrs. Sara (Graham)
Odell, a native of Ireland, by whom he has two children, Kate and
Edward, both of whom attend school at New ,Orleans, the latter being an
attendant of the Brothers' school.  Kate attended some higher
institution of that city, after which she took a course in music and
needle-work.

From Biographical and Historical Memoires of Louisiana, volume 2, pp.
291-292.
Submitted by Mike Miller