BIO: Miles BECK, Huntingdon County, PA

Contributed for use in the USGenWeb Archives by Denise Phillips

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Commemorative Biographical Encyclopedia of the Juniata Valley: 
Comprising the Counties of Huntingdon, Mifflin, Juniata and Perry, 
Pennsylvania, Containing Sketches of Prominent and Representative 
Citizens and Many of the Early Settlers.  Chambersburg, Pa.: J. M. 
Runk & Co., 1897, pages 122-123.
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  MILES BECK, Tyrone, Huntingdon county, Pa., was born June 29, 1847, 
on the farm which he now owns.  He is the son of David and Esther 
(Funk) Beck.  David Beck was born in Warriors Mark township in 1802, 
and spent all his life there; he inherited the old homestead from his 
grandfather, and lived there until his death.  He was a Republican, and 
a man of fine qualities, much esteemed.  During the latter part of his 
life, he passed a great part of his time in hunting.  His death 
occurred in 1874.  Mrs. Beck survived her husband until August 6, 1882; 
she was a member of the Dunkard church.  Their children are:  Mahlon, 
who went to Missouri about 1856, and in 1896 sold his property there 
and removed to Bourbon county, Kas.; was twice married, but is now a 
widower; Livina (Mrs. Henry Spanogle), of Phillipsburg, Pa.; Martin, 
farmer in Warriors Mark township; Sarah Jane (Mrs. John Krider), of 
Warriors Mark township; Miles; Mary Ellen (Mrs. John Ellenberger), of 
Centre county, Pa., and Lloyd.
  Miles Beck enjoyed but little opportunity for an education; the 
schools were in a primitive state, goose quill pens and other crude 
appliances being in vogue.  Being early set to work, even those slender 
advantages were not his for long.  Mr. Beck remained at home until the 
spring of 1876, when he paid his brother Mahlon a visit in Grundy 
county, Mo.  He remained there for six weeks, and then went to Illinois 
to visit John Bratton, an old resident of Warriors Mark township, with 
whom he remained for seven weeks, and then obtained work putting up hay 
racks in barns.  He returned to his home in September, 1876, and has 
lived there since; only going back to Illinois for his bride.
  Miles Beck was married December 20, 1877, in Lee county, Ill., to 
Nancy Buck, daughter of John and Matilda (Norman) Buck.  Mrs. Beck was 
born in Franklin Grove, Lee county, Ill., January 3, 1858; but her 
parents were both natives of Pennsylvania.  Mr. and Mrs. Beck began 
housekeeping on a part of the old homestead in Huntingdon county, 
consisting of 100 acres.  They have build a substantial and comfortable 
home, and made other improvements since their residence there.  Mr. 
Beck is a Republican, and takes an active part in politics.  Their 
children are:  Gertie May, born November 11, 1878, was killed by the 
kick of a horse, at the age of four years; twins, deceased; Le Roy, 
born June 30, 1881; Vinna H., born July 10, 1884; Zula Maud, born 
September 8, 1885; Edith Esther Matilda, born February 15, 1888; Claire 
H., born May 29, 1892.  Mrs. Beck is an active member of the Dunkard 
church.