Bio of BECK, Dr. James F. Beck (b.1870 d.1914), Hennepin Co., MN
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EXTRACTED FROM: History of Minneapolis, Gateway to the Northwest; 
Chicago-Minneapolis, The S J Clarke Publishing Co, 1923; Edited by: Rev. 
Marion Daniel Shutter, D.D., LL.D.; Volume I - Shutter (Historical); 
volume II - Biographical; volume III - Biographical
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JAMES F. BECK, M. D. - Vol III, pg 602, 605
Dr. James F. Beck had only passed the forty-third milestone on life's journey
when death called him on the 21st of February, 1914. Still in the prime of life,
his activities were proving of great usefulness in the professional field which
he had entered and from the outset of his career as a physician and surgeon he
had made steady progress. His birth occurred in Dubuque, Iowa, April 21, 1870,
his parents being James R. and Martha J. (Rackeby) Beck. He was a representative
of an old Kentucky family and among his ancestors were those who served in the
Revo­lutionary war. His parents removed from Kentucky to Iowa about the time of
the Civil war, so that Dr. Beck was reared in the latter state and acquired his
education in the public schools of his native town, which he attended to the age
of fifteen years. He afterward entered Princeton University for an academic
course as a member of the class of 1894 but left that college a year prior to
graduation-in order that he might begin preparation for the medical profession.
Accordingly he matriculated as a medical student in the University of Minnesota
in January, 1893, and was graduated in 1896. Through the succeeding year he
filled the position of house surgeon at the Minneapolis City Hospital and for
six years thereafter was a member of the medical staff of that institution. He
also served as grand medical examiner of the Ancient Order of United Workmen for
six years and throughout this entire period he enjoyed a steadily growing
private practice which became very extensive and important in character.
In 1899 Dr. Beck was united in marriage to Miss Katherine Cowing, a daughter of
J. B. and Mary A. (Beeston) Cowing. Her father was born near Newcastle, England,
on the 31st of July, 1842, and was brought to America by his parents when a
little lad of six summers, the family home being established near Madison,
Wisconsin. Dr. and Mrs. Beck had one son, John F., who was born in 1901 and is
now publicity director of the Community Hotel Financing & Building Company of
Minneapolis. Mrs. Beck since her husband's death has for more than a year been
identified with the United States Veteran Hospital No. 68.
The death of the Doctor was occasioned by ptomaine poisoning and he passed away
at his home at No. 2200 Bloomington avenue, February 21, 1914, when but
forty-three years of age. He had been a member of the Minneapolis Medical Club,
also of the Minnesota State Medical Society and was prominent in the Athletic
Club. He took much interest in business and civic affairs in the city and he
gave earnest support to the republican party but concentrated the major portion
of his time and attention upon his professional duties and had become well
established in an enviable position among the leading physicians and surgeons of
Minneapolis.