BIO: William F. BECK, Huntingdon County, PA

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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 132-133.
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  W. F. BECK, M.D., Spruce Creek, Huntingdon county, Pa., was born 
January 18, 1866, in Loveville, Centre county, Pa., son of Isaac and 
Barbara (Rider) Beck. The family is of German origin. Dr. Beck's great-
grandfather, who settled in Warriors Mark township, having been the 
first to come to America. Daniel Beck, grandfather of the Doctor, was 
born near Warriors Mark township, Huntingdon county, where he received 
his education, and married Elizabeth Kryder, a native of that township. 
They had the following children: Joseph, of Fort Scott, Kas.; John, 
farmer, of Fort Scott; Mrs. Christian Buck, died at Unionville, Pa.; 
Susan (Mrs. Dr. McKee), of Stormstown, Centre county, Pa., is deceased; 
Isaac; Jacob, died in May, 1896; and Isaiah, resides on the farm 
adjoining Isaac Beck's near Loveville. Isaac Beck, father of Dr. Beck, 
was born on the old homestead, which descended in the family from his 
grandfather, and where he has passed his life. He married in Loveville. 
His children are: Elmer E., superintendent of Huntingdon Reformatory 
farm; Mary E., wife of J. L. Corley, of Altoona, Pa., mail agent 
running between New York and Pittsburg; Dr. W. F.; and Daniel J., 
residing with his father on the homestead. Mr. Isaac Beck takes an 
active interest in the political affairs of his neighborhood as an 
adherent of the Republican party. He is also active in the work of his 
church; is a member of the Lutheran denomination.
  After acquiring the rudiments of an English education in the common 
schools, W. F. Beck became a pupil at Central Academy, in Half Moon 
valley. After studying there for a year, he entered Stone Valley 
Academy, at McAlevys Fort, Huntingdon county. About 1885, he began a 
collegiate course at Grove City College, Grove City, Pa. his senior 
year in that institution was half over when a contagious fever broke 
out in the college, and Mr. Beck was obliged to relinquish the 
remainder of the course and return home. This was in 1886, and in the 
fall of the same year, he commenced reading medicine with Dr. J. M. 
Smith, of Tyrone, Pa. In 1887 he entered the University of Vermont, 
Burlington, Vt., and studied there for a year, continuing his medical 
studies with Dr. Smith during the vacations. In 1888 Mr. Beck 
matriculated at the College of Physicians and Surgeons, Baltimore, Md., 
and graduated in the following spring. For one year he practiced as the 
partner of Dr. Smith, at Tyrone; he then took a post-graduate course at 
Jefferson Medical College, Philadelphia, Pa., graduating with the class 
of 1891. Dr. Beck practiced at Tyrone until the fall of 1894, when he 
removed to Spruce Creek, succeeding to the practice of Dr. James 
Wasson, deceased. In the same year he was appointed railroad physician. 
The Doctor has had considerable experience in a variety of work. 
Brought up on the farm, he was a willing and active helper in 
agricultural work during his vacations; later, he taught school in the 
intervals of study, in order to meet the expenses of his classical and 
professional courses. He is affiliated with the I. O. O. F., and B. and 
P. Order of Elks, at Tyrone and at Alexandria. His politics are those 
of the Republican party. The Doctor is a member of Blair County Medical 
Society.
  He has attained a high reputation as a lecturer on scientific topics; 
his lectures before educational bodies in various parts of the State 
have been highly praised. The Doctor is secretary of the school board 
of Spruce Creek township, and county physician.
  Dr. W. F. Beck was married at Altoona, Pa., June 4, 1895, to Sarah, 
daughter of Col. Cornelius and Elizabeth (Craig) Campbell, of 
Westmoreland county. Colonel Campbell is an extensive coal operator. 
Dr. Beck, although brought up in the Lutheran communion, is now, with 
his wife, a member of the Presbyterian church. Mrs. Beck, who was a 
graduate at Wilson College, Chambersburg, Pa., is an active participant 
in church work. She is president of the Women's Foreign Missionary 
Society of her Presbytery, and is zealously interested in other 
organizations of the same nature. The Doctor and wife have one child, a 
daughter, named Elizabeth Craig, born April 3, 1897.

1880 Taylor Township, Centre County census -
Isaac Beck, 43  
Barbara Beck, 42  
Elmer E. Beck, 18  
Mary E. Beck, 16  
William F. Beck, 14  
Daniel J. Beck, 11