Polk County, Missouri Biographies - Richard B. BECK
History Of Hickory, Polk, Cedar, Dade And Barton Counties, 
Missouri 1889, published by Goodspeed, page 624, 625
Polk County Biography Section

    Richard B. Beck, farmer and ex-county collector, was born in
Osceola, Mo., March 12, 1852, and received his education in the 
public schools and at Bolivar High School.  He is the son of James
W.and Sarah F. (Divan) Peck,[sic] the former of whom was born in 
Virginia, and when young removed with his parents to Tennessee.
He remained in this state until 1841, and then moved to St. Clair
County, Mo. Later he went to Polk County, and was there married 
to Miss Divan, who was born in Tennessee in 1831, being the 
daughter of William R. Divan.  She was a member of the Christian 
Church.  The father was a teacher, and this calling followed for
some time.  He held the office of county court clerk, circuit 
court clerk, recorder and probate judge, and was in official life
about thirteen years.  He was a Democrat in his political views,
and was a prominent Odd Fellow.  He died in 1862, but the mother
is still living.  In their family were seven children, six sons 
and one daughter.  While growing up Richard B. Beck learned the 
printer's trade, but at the age of twenty years began teaching 
school, which he continued for two years.  He then turned his 
attention to farming and stock trading.  December 18, 1881, he
married Miss Susan M. Runyan, a native of Polk County, Mo., born
February 28, 1865, and the daughter of Abraham M. Runyan.  Both
Mr. and Mrs. Beck are members of the Christian Church.  They are
the parents of two children: James A. and Willie B.  Mr. Beck is
a Democrat in politics.  In 1884 he ran for the office of county
collector, and was elected by about 150 majority, though the 
county goes aobut 300 Republican.  In 1882-83 he was chairman of
the county central committee.  Mr. Beck has made his property by
his own exertions, and is now the owner of 150 acres of land.  
His grandfather Beck was a Primitive Baptist minister.  

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