BIO: Isaac BECK, Centre County, PA

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Commemorative Biographical Record of Central Pennsylvania: Including 
the Counties of Centre, Clearfield, Jefferson and Clarion: Containing 
Biographical Sketches of Prominent and Representative Citizens, Etc. 
Chicago: J. H. Beers, 1898.
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  ISAAC BECK.  Prominent among the representative citizens and 
respected men of Half Moon township, Centre county, is found the 
subject of this biographical notice, who has a valuable farm of 160 
acres.  This is well improved and highly cultivated, and shows 
conclusively that the owner has not mistaken his calling in adopting 
agriculture.
  Mr. Beck was born in Half Moon township, October 8, 1835, a son of 
Daniel and Elizabeth (Cryder) Beck, who are now deceased, the former 
having died in 1883, the latter in 1884, and were laid to rest in the 
Lutheran cemetery,

314  COMMEMORATIVE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.

in Half Moon township.  They were of German descent, born near the city 
of Warriors Mark, Huntingdon Co., Penn., and were the parents of seven 
children.  Our subject is indebted to the public schools of Centre 
county for his educational privileges, and upon the home farm became 
familiar with agricultural pursuits, which he decided to make his life 
work.
  On October 21, 1859, Mr. Beck married Miss Barbara Rider, a daughter 
of Michael and Barbara Rider, of Gatesburg, Penn.  Her father was born 
in Dauphin county, this State, February 18, 1797, and died January 30, 
1881, while her mother was born November 15, 1799, in Lebanon county, 
Penn., and departed this life March 9, 1874.  In their family were 
twelve children, namely: Mary, born August 2, 1817, died August 22, 
1869; Catharine was born January 29, 1821; Elizabeth, born December 21, 
1822, died May 8, 1883; Lydia, born December 25, 1824, died September 
1890; Sarah A., born December 13, 1826, died November 23, 1890; Jacob 
K., born February 15, 1829, makes his home in Gatesburg, Centre county; 
Michael C., born March 14, 1832, lives in Nebraska; Nancy, born August 
13, 1834, is the wife of Samuel Musser, of Fairbrook, Centre county; 
John G., born May 15, 1836, is a resident of Gatesburg; Barbara, born 
April 22, 1838, is the honored wife of our subject; Mathias, born April 
28, 1840, also makes his home at Gatesburg; and Ellen, born April 25, 
1843, is the wife of William Hastings, of the same place.
  Four children grace the union of Mr. and Mrs. Beck, as follows: (1) 
Elmer E., born September 3, 1861, was married January 8, 1891, to Alice 
Whippo, by whom he has three children, and is now serving as 
superintendent of the farm in connection with the Huntingdon 
Reformatory, of Huntingdon county, Penn.; (2) Mary E., born October 1, 
1863, was married June 27, 1889, to J. L. Cork, a clerk in the postal 
service, and they have two children: Salome and Barbara E. (3) William 
F., born January 18, 1866, married Sarah Campbell, daughter of 
Cornelius Campbell, of Altoona, Blair Co., Penn.; (4) Daniel J., born 
June 4, 1869, is still at home with his parents.
  Mr. Beck has been an ardent Republican in politics from the time he 
voted for Lincoln in 1861, and takes a deep interest in the success of 
his party; since the organization of the Grange in his community he has 
been identified with that movement; in religious faith he is an active 
and faithful member of the Lutheran Church.  He is one of the most 
popular citizens of Half Moon township, thoroughly honest, upright and 
reliable, and is highly honored and respected by all who have the 
pleasure of his acquaintance.  In his beautiful home hospitality 
abounds, the family delighting to entertain their many friends.