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Descendants of George(Major) Beck, Sr.

82. SUSAN⁶ BECK (ALEXANDER DEVIN⁵, ANDREW M.⁴, GEORGE(MAJOR)³, DAVAULT (DAWALT/DABOLT)², UNKNOWN MR.¹) was born 07 June 1857 in Vernon Twp., Washington Co., IN, and died Unknown in Pbly Texas. She married KEMP MARLEY 11 October 1877 in Martin Co., Indiana, son of UNKNOWN and UNKNOWN. He was born 1855 in Indiana; lived in Martin Co., IN; moved to VanZandt Co., TX, and died Unknown in Pbly Texas (last known Greenville, Hunt Co., TX).

Notes for SUSAN BECK:
Source: 1850 Martin Co., IN Census; 1880 Van Zandt Co. Census; Family Bible of Alexander D. Beck; Marriage Record Martin Co., IN.
Source: 1880 Van Zandt Co., Census

Notes for KEMP MARLEY:
Source: Marriage Records - Martin County, Indiana 1850 - 1920, compiled by Indiana Works Progress Administration 1941, p. 216:
Marley, Kemp      Susan Beck      Oct 11, 1877      Book 4, p. 14
Marley, Kempy      Malinda J. Froman      Feb 11, 1859      Book 2, p. 14

Source: Some of the other marriages listed for Marley - same reference:
Marley      Alexander      Larnia J. Belle      Nov 9, 1865      2      281
"      Alonzo            Anne Carothers      Jun 19, 1884      4      476
Marley       Amanda            James H. McCart      Jun 21, 1890      4      476 Dec 23, 1920
Marley      Andrew J.            Nancy Tindall      Mar 15, 1856      1      249
Marley      Della            Patrick M. Purcell      Jul 3, 1890      5      283
Marley      Elizabeth            Aaron E. Vanderer      Aug 15, 1856      2      345
Marley      Elizabeth            Thomas J. Feltner      Oct 4, 1877      4      11
Marley      Ethel E            Clyde M.Simms      Jun 27, 1886      8      441 Dec 27, 1908
Marley       Fred E            Mary Bonnington      May 29, 1902      6      520
Marley       Harvey D            Mary Phelan      Dec 9, 1880      4      255
Marley      Herbert            Maude McBride      Apr 18, 1884      9      250 Feb 25, 1912
Marley      Isaiah            Mary I Bell      Mar 10, 1850      1      343
Marley      Jane            Aaron A Vandiver      Jan 6, 1878      3      194
Marley      Jemima            Jerzimi Elliot      Aug 15, 1853      1      325
Marley      Jesse T            Hallie R. Akles      Nov 2, 1889      5      230
Marley      Julia Ann            William Henry      Nov 9, 1862      2      145
Marley      Laticia            Edward P Elliott      Dec 9, 1852      1      149
Marley      Lizzie C            Ephraim S Fields      Oct 21, 1883      4      433
Marley      Lucy M            Claude E Bridges      Mar 20 1896      10      79      Nov 13, 1915
Marley      Manley            Jane Manning      Aug 14, 1864      2      217
Marley      Mary            Benjamin James      May 6, 1856      1      332
Marley      Mary E            Eli P Yenno      May 25, 1887      5      71
Marley       Mary J            Francis M Smith      Apr 14, 1885      4      523
Marley      Melissa E      Lewis Davis      Dec 1, 1872      3      187
Marley      Nancy            Elijah Prosnell      ---            3      91
Marley      Polly            Leonard Davis      Mar 2, 1854      1      185
Marley      Rebecca            Solomon Webber      Feb 20, 1866      2      302
Marley      Sarah S            George C Shooks      Sep 3, 1882      4      358

Who were Kemp Marley's parents??

Subj:      Re: Kemp Marley
Date:      6/19/1999
To:      kholowel@greene.xtn.net

In Reply to: Kemp Marley -Martin Co., IN>VanZandt, TX posted by Joyce and John Truitt on December 25, 1998 at 20:39:05:

Do you know the parents of Kemp Marley?
In 1866 my grandfather, David Franklin Marley married my grandmother Cuma Rhodema Kemp.
Both the Kemps and Marleys were Quaker. Knowing how the Quakers chose given names, there has to be a connection some place.
Also, I know of an Ella (Kemp) Marley.
Ken Hollowell

Children of SUSAN BECK and KEMP MARLEY are:

	i.		Fidella⁷ Marley, b. 1871, Indiana (daughter by his first wife); d. Unknown, Unknown.
	ii.		Harry Marley, b. 1878, Wills Point, Van Zandt Co., TX; d. Unknown, Unknown.

Notes for Harry Marley:
Source: 1880 Van Zandt, TX Census

83. EMMA⁶ BECK (ALEXANDER DEVIN⁵, ANDREW M.⁴, GEORGE(MAJOR)³, DAVAULT (DAWALT/DABOLT)², UNKNOWN MR.¹) was born 23 May 1859 in Washington Co., IN, and died 25 July 1905 in Wills Point, TX; interred Union Grove Cem., Van Zandt Co., TX. She married JOHN W. ROBERTS 10 September 1882 in Wills Point, Van Zandt Co., TX, son of WM. ROBERTS and HANNUH ROBERTS. He was born 26 September 1854 in Indiana, and died 20 September 1923 in Wills Point, TX; interred Union Grove Cem., Van Zandt Co., TX.

Notes for EMMA BECK:
Source: 1880 Van Zandt County, TX Census.
Source: Marriage Records Van Zandt County, TX 1909-1931 Bk 3, p. 392
Source: Beck Family Bible, with the names engraved on the front: Alexander D. Beck and Sarah F. Beck
gives the birthdate and death date of Emma
Source: Gravestone Union Grove Cemetery, Wills Point, Van Zandt Co., TX

Notes for JOHN W. ROBERTS:
Source: 1880 Van Zandt County, TX Census.
Source: Marriage Records Van Zandt County, TX 1909-1931.
Source: Union Grove Cemetery, Wills Point, TX records & gravestones

Children of EMMA BECK and JOHN ROBERTS are:

John H.⁷ Roberts, b. December 1883, Pbly Van Zandt Co., TX.

Notes for John H. Roberts:
Source: 1880 Van Zandt County, TX Census.
Source: Beck Family Bible, with the names engraved on the front: Alexander D. Beck and Sarah F. Beck.

ii.

Clara Francis Roberts, b. November 1886, Pbly Van Zandt Co., TX.

Notes for Clara Francis Roberts:
Source: 1880 Van Zandt County, TX Census.
Source: Beck Family Bible, with the names engraved on the front: Alexander D. Beck and Sarah F. Beck.

84. JOHN JEFFERSON (J.J.)⁶ BECK (ALEXANDER DEVIN⁵, ANDREW M.⁴, GEORGE(MAJOR)³, DAVAULT (DAWALT/DABOLT)², UNKNOWN MR.¹) was born 26 June 1863 in Vernon Twp., Washington Co., IN, and died 25 March 1950 in Interred Union Grove Cem., Wills Point, Van Zandt Co., TX. He married ANNIE ELIZABETH FAULKNER 20 February 1887 in Home of Mrs. Chas. Peery, foster mother of Annie, Wills Point, Van Zandt Co., TX, daughter of JAMES FAULKNER and ANNA GARDNER. She was born 28 May 1870 in Milton, Northampton, England (Refer to notes of Charles R. Peery), and died 22 March 1946 in Interred Union Grove Cem., Wills Point, Van Zandt Co., TX.

Notes for JOHN JEFFERSON (J.J.) BECK:
Source: 1880, 1900 Census Van Zandt County, TX
Source: 1860 Census Martin Co., IN
Source: Van Zandt County Marriage Records
Source: Deeds and Probate records - Canton, Van Zandt County, TX
Source: Family sheets researched and prepared by a descendant (granddaughter) Joyce Nell Beck LaGrone Truitt 1994-1999

John Jefferson (J.J.) Beck was born June 26, 1863 near Beck's Mill, Washington Co., IN or Shoals, Martin County, Indiana to Alexander D. Beck and Mrs. Catherine Horsey Greenwood Beck. His mother, Catharine, died at age 37, (1 Dec 1866) after she had given birth to four children, and had seen her daughter Clary, age 2, buried in Spring Hill Cemetery, Shoals. Catherine had previously married Robert C. Greenwood (but they evidentally divorced as his deed papers are found in the county years later). Catharine married Alexander two and one half years later. (Marriage records - Lawrence Co., IN)

John J. was the only son born to his parents (as his father stated in a biographical sketch in 1898 in Wood County, Ohio). At age 16, his father and his step-mother, Sarah Francis Survance Beck, placed their belongings in an ox-drawn wagon and came with other families to Van Zandt County, Texas, where many of the Beck family members had relocated in previous years from the Howard Township, Washington County, Indiana area.

John J.'s grandmother, Susan Nowlin Devin, died in the birth of a son, and his grandfather, Andrew M. Beck, with his second wife, Rebecca Barker Beck, along with the younger children, moved to the College Mound, Kaufman County, Texas area in 1854 and were early settlers. Andrew's oldest brother, John Jacob Beck had brought his large family from Indiana, coming through Johnson Co., MO and took land grants in the Mercer Colony at College Mound, Kaufman County when it was still a Republic. (See book "John Jacob Beck" written by Kathey Kelley Hunt 1998 in the College Mound Methodist Church archives).

As has been stated, as a young adult, John J. Beck became the guardian of Annie Elizabeth Faulkner, her younger sister Sarah Sophia, and her brother, James William Faulkner as recorded in court documents in Van Zandt County, Texas. He married Annie Elizabeth (who was born in Milton, Northampton, England) when she was 16 years old and he was 24.

John J. was a successful landowner and farmer, a supporter of education, and a respected citizen of the community. His obituary printed in the Wills Point Chronicle read, in part:
" J. J. Beck passed away at 10:30 o'clock Saturday night, March 25, 1950 at Baker Clinic. He was kind and attentive to his family. A beacon light for each child was his wise counsel from day to day. He loved and cherished the friendship of others. Mr. Beck had professed faith in the Lord in 1928. Many beautiful flowers attested to this esteem in which he was held. Funeral services were conducted at 2 o'clock at the Baptist church by the pastor, Rev. James Riley, assisted by Rev. Monzon Fletcher, pastor of the Methodist Church, and Rev. Bob Beck, a grandson of Wichita Falls, Texas. Survivors include seven children, Henry and Curtis Beck and Mrs. Leona Ellis of Wills Point, Cordell Beck of Greenville, Mrs. Grace Plyler of Corpus Christi and Mrs. Ruby Wallis of Dallas."

John Jefferson Beck was lovingly called "Grandpa Beck" by their grandchildren. He and his wife are interred at Union Grove Cemetery at Wills Point, Texas. John Jefferson Beck and Annie Elizabeth Faulkner Beck were my grandparents.

Ref: Beck Family Bible in the possession of Dr. Robert J. Beck, 6108 Rayburn Court, Fort Worth, Texas 76133 (rjbeck@flash.net)
Census Records - Van Zandt County, Texas;
Land Deeds - Van Zandt County, Texas;
Marriage Record Van Zandt County, Texas;
Remembrances of Grandchildren 1930 - Present.
Researched, compiled and documented by Joyce Nell (Beck) LaGrone-Truitt 1994-1998 (Texas1933@aol.com)

Source: From the genealogical notes - 1960 to 1985 - written in a small brown notebook by John Charles Beck, Rt. 1, Wichita Falls, TX and given to his oldest son, Robert J. Beck of Fort Worth, TX.
================================================================
Source: Old Cotton Receipt printed in the Wills Point (TX) Chronicle 1915:
J. J. Beck, one of the leading citizens at Palmer Grove, just a few miles northwest of Wills Point, had the pleasure this fall of contrasting some of his recent cotton receipts with one of the vintage of November 15, 1888, which he discovered among the archives at his home. The old and faded receipt shoed that he sold a bale of cotton on the date mentioned above to I. E. Rose, doing business then at the same stand of the Rose Dry Goods Company of today. The bale weighed 545 pounds and he received the princely sum of 8.921/2 cents per pound for the staple, the total amount being $48.62. On the bottom of the receipt was printed the following:
      "Please count your money before leaving office, sand if any error in above figures return this statement. - I. E. Rose."
A bale of good, ordinary cotton this season, weighing 545 pounds, would bring something like $150 with the seed commanding several dollars more. This is about three times the price paid for cotton in the fall of 1888. It is not known what seed were worth thirty-five years ago, but there was a time back in the rather misty past when many farmers did not consider them worth hauling away from the gin.
Happily, those days are gone forever; no one allows cotton seed to go to waste when the mills are paying from $50 per ton and up, and when good planting seed command in the neighborhood of $60 per ton. And it is practically certain that the world will never again witness such a thing as 8 or 9 cent cotton, which at some periods in the past was looked upon as a rather "fancy" price.
===================================================================
Source: 1903 Wills Point Chronicle article under COTTON PICKERS
Reports of Good Picking Coming in at Lively Rate:
            John Beck reports for his children: Henry, aged 16, 463 pounds; Leona, aged 13, 402 pounds; Cora, aged 10, 202 pounds.

Notes for ANNIE ELIZABETH FAULKNER:
Source; Birth Record - Northampton, England
Source: 1880 Van Zandt County Texas Census
Source; Cemetery records of Union Grove Cemetery, Wills Point, Texas
Source: Death Certificate of Annie Elizabeth Faulkner - it states her father was William Faulkner, which is incorrect. He was James John Randall Faulkner and is buried at Union Grove Cemetery. Her grandfather was William Gardner of Stoke-Bruerne, Northampton, England.
Source: Beck Family Bible, c. 1870 in the possession of Dr. Robert J. Beck, 6108 Rayburn Court, Fort Worth TX 76133
Source: From the genealogical notes - 1960 to 1985 - written in a small brown notebook by John Charles Beck, Rt. 1, Wichita Falls, TX and given to his oldest son, Robert J. Beck of Fort Worth, TX.
Source: Census records in England and internet listing at: www.geocities.com/heartland/plains/6222/index.htm - then click on index for the Parish of Stoke Bruerne
where we see that Annie Elizabeth was named in honor of her mother's oldest sister, Anne Elizabeth, b. c1834 in Stoke Bruerne. This is the parish in which Annie Elizabeth lived until her parents sailed to America and settled in Van Zandt County, Texas. There they joined the Gardner family, Valentine and Frances White Gardner and their children, who had migrated to the area three years previously. Valentine Gardner and Anna Gardner Faulkner were siblings. To this date, 1999, no records of the trip has been located although the search continues.

Annie Elizabeth Faulkner was born in Milton, Northampton, England on May 28, 1870 as her birth record shows. She came to America with her parents, James and Anna Gardner Faulkner, when she was almost three years of age. We cannot at this time locate the name of the ship or the port of docking.

James John Randall Faulkner, a tailor, the father of Annie Faulkner, died in February 1880 in Wills Point, Texas, when his daughter was ten years of age. They had only lived in Texas about 8 years. She and her sister and brother lived with their mother, Anne Gardner Faulkner, who married Mr. A. A. Moore until Anne's death in 1885. It is said that Anna Gardner Faulkner Moore died in the birth of twins - they did not survive either. She is buried in Union Grove Cemetery, Wills Point, Texas. The well-to-do Peery family who lived near the Faulkners, took in the three young children when their mother died. At the young teen age of 15, Annie and her sister, Sophie and her brother, James William Faulkner were foster children in the home of Mr. and Mrs. Charles Peery.

On February 20, 1887, Annie, at age 16, was married to John Jefferson (J.J.) Beck at the home of Mrs. Charles Peery, her foster mother. The home and acreage which Anna (Gardner Faulkner) Moore and James Randall Faulkner owned at their deaths, was left to their three children, with John Jefferson Beck as trustee. This white frame home, located on a farm road north of Wills Point, Van Zandt County, Texas became the "home-place" of Annie and J. J. During years following, they accumulated several town lot properties there and many acres of farmland.

As the nine children were born, additions were made to the home. It had a large veranda at the front and was built up about thirty inches off the ground with wide steps to the porch area. Annie was a wonderful, loving mother and homemaker, who sold eggs to have her spending money for clothes and children's needs as they attended school.

Annie was lovingly called "Granny Beck" by her grandchildren. Her obituary in the Wills Point Chronicle read, in part:
      "Mrs. J. J. Beck passed away at 1:15 a.m. Friday, March 22, 1946, at the family home in the Union Grove community. Services were conducted in the home Saturday at 3:00 p.m. by Rev. Wallace Goode, assisted by Rev. M.E. McGlamery and Rev. Felix W. Tarbet, pastor of the Church of Christ in Terrell. She placed her faith in Christ in early womanhood and her religion was fulfilled in her life each day. Her life was indeed a ministry - ministering not only to her family but to those about her, always ready with an encouraging word, a friendly smile and a helping hand. A beautiful influence that will live on, a life that one might well emulate and her children shall call her blessed. Besides her husband, Mrs. Beck is survived by several children, a brother, J. W. Faulkner of Muskogee, Oklahoma and sixteen grandchildren."

Annie Elizabeth Faulkner Beck was interred at Union Grove Cemetery, Wills Point, Van Zandt County, Texas. She preceded her husband in death, and he died intestate.

In honor of the Faulkner ancestors, a "Cousins by the Dozens" reunion is held each year in the Wills Point area.
====================================================================
A copy of the original letter handwritten by Annie Faulkner to her betrothed John Jefferson Beck, in February 1887, when she was 16 year of age is printed below:
Mr. Beck Dear One
I thought I would write you a few lines as I have not saw you in so long. I heard that your license were not lawful. I would like for you to find out whether they are or not. Mr. Hunter says they are not he was county clerk 8 years. I don't want to marry unlawfully & don't you know Mr & Mrs Peery could object because you did not get an order or ask for me they say I belong to them until I am 18. I would rather you would see Mr Peery & say something to him about it & who are we going to have for witnesses? Please see Mr Peery & ask for me he said he would not refuse but I would rather you would ask him & then there won't be any hard feelings or come here & see him. I hope the license are lawful but I suppose they are not. I heard it was a penitentiary fine for a man to get his license without an order from the parents or people they were staying with. It would be a joke if Mr Peery was to object because you did not ask for me or get an order. Excuse haste as I am in a hurry. Your lover & wife. Annie F.


Children of JOHN BECK and ANNIE FAULKNER are:

Henry Jefferson⁷ Beck, b. 21 December 1887, Wills Point, VanZandt Co., TX; d. 17 July 1955, Wills Point, Van Zandt Co., TX; m. Jenny Avarilla (Ava Jane) Burnett, 27 August 1913, Wills Point, Van Zandt Co., TX; b. 21 August 1893, Wills Point, Van Zandt Co., TX; d. 15 July 1976, Terrell, Kaufman Co., TX.

Notes for Henry Jefferson Beck:
Source: 1903 Wills Point Chronicle article under COTTON PICKERS
Reports of Good Picking Coming in at Lively Rate:
John Beck reports for his children: Henry, aged 16, 463 pounds; Leona, aged 13, 402 pounds; Cora, aged 10, 202 pounds.
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Henry Jefferson Beck was born December 21, 1887 in Wills Point, Van Zandt County, Texas. His parents were John Jefferson (J.J.) and Annie Elizabeth Faulkner.

Henry Jefferson was the eldest child. His three sisters, Leona, Cora and Grace, which were born after, always thought of him as "Big Brother." When the other children were born, they considered him this also.

As a boy, he worked for others as a farm helper to the neighbors as time allowed from his own home chores.

As a young man, he met Ava Jane Burnett, whose parents were David N. Burnett and Jane (Jenny) Ferguson. Ava Jane was born August 21, 1893 in Wills Point, Texas. Henry and Ava Jane fell in love and married on August 17, 1913.

As a young adult, Henry related he drove an oil wagon, with a team of mules for power, in West Texas. At this time, he had to carry a pistol for protection. Later, he was a partner in a tailor shop in town - Wills Point - with a lifetime friend, Preston McMahon. After this shop no longer existed, he worked at dry goods stores as a clerk.

He had an "interest" in Mayfield Dry Goods Co., for many years, as Vice President with friend Oscar L. Pate, President.

He was a farmer by trade and worked at the store only in the fall and winter months after the crops were "laid by" to wait for harvest. When he and Ava leased out the farm and retired, they purchased a home in Wills Point. He then worked for Mayfield's Dry Goods Company until his death in 1955. The store was then consolidated and sold.

Henry was a very conscientious Christian man and believed that God was the center of his life and his family. He was a strict, but fair and loving father.

They were of the Methodist faith and attended Palmer Grove Methodist Church until moving to town and then joined Russell Memorial United Methodist Church. He was also a member of Modern Woodmen of the World.

Source: From the genealogical notes - 1960 to 1985 - written in a small brown notebook by John Charles Beck, Rt. 1, Wichita Falls, TX (brother of Henry Jefferson Beck) and given to his oldest son, Robert J. Beck of Fort Worth, TX.

1996- 2000 DOCUMENTATION BY:
Anna Jane Beck Coates, daughter Austin, Texas - mombailey@worldnet.att.net
================================================================
Source: Newspaper article in Wills Point Chronicle (TX):
Henry Beck and Miss Ava Burnett were married at the home of the bride's parents, Mr. and Mrs. D. N. Burnett, in the Burnett Chapel community last Wednesday evening at 9 o'clock, Rev. E. L. Ingrum officiating. A number of relatives and friends witnessed the ceremony.
The groom was reared in this community and is a young man of sterling character. He has a position as salesman with the J. C. Mason Co. of this city. The bride is a beautiful and accomplished young lady endowed with a pleasing personality and many womanly graces. This happy couple has a large circle of friends, whom the Chronicle joins in extending to them heartiest congratulations and best wishes.
Mr. and Mrs. Beck are at home in the Brundidge Cottage on North Fourth Street.

Notes for Jenny Avarilla (Ava Jane) Burnett:
Source: 1900 Texas Census
Source: From the genealogical notes - 1960 to 1985 - written in a small brown notebook by John Charles Beck, Rt. 1, Wichita Falls, TX and given to his oldest son, Robert J. Beck of Fort Worth, TX.

ii.

Mary Leona Beck, b. 21 March 1890, Wills Point, Van Zandt Co., TX; d. 01 July 1958, Wills Point, Van Zandt Co., TX; m. Wiley Earl Ellis, 28 March 1920, Wills Point, Texas; b. 18 July 1894, Johnsonville, IL; d. 09 May 1983, Wills Point, Van Zandt Co., TX.

Notes for Mary Leona Beck:
Source: Birth Record Van Zandt County, Texas
Source: From the genealogical notes - 1960 to 1985 - written in a small brown notebook by John Charles Beck, Rt. 1, Wichita Falls, TX and given to his oldest son, Robert J. Beck of Fort Worth, TX.
Source: 1903 Wills Point Chronicle article under COTTON PICKERS
Reports of Good Picking Coming in at Lively Rate:
John Beck reports for his children: Henry, aged 16, 463 pounds; Leona, aged 13, 402 pounds; Cora, aged 10, 202 pounds.

Notes for Wiley Earl Ellis:
Source: Family record sheets

iii.

Corbett Alexander Beck, b. 08 February 1892, Wills Point, Van Zandt Co., Texas; d. 30 November 1894, Interred Union Grove Cem., Wills Point, Van Zandt Co., Texas; m. None.

Notes for Corbett Alexander Beck:
Source: Beck family Bible - his birth and death recorded
Source: Union Grove Cemetery records
Source: From the genealogical notes - 1960 to 1985 - written in a small brown notebook by John Charles Beck, Rt. 1, Wichita Falls, TX and given to his oldest son, Robert J. Beck of Fort Worth, TX.

iv.

Cora Mae Beck, b. 27 September 1894, Wills Point, Van Zandt Co., TX; d. 02 June 1945, San Antonio, Bexar Co., Texas; m. Raymond Dabney, 16 August 1930, Hilda, Texas; b. 01 December 1902, TX; d. July 1987, TX.

Notes for Cora Mae Beck:
Source: Birth records - Van Zandt County, Texas
Source: 1920 Texas census
Source: From the genealogical notes - 1960 to 1985 - written in a small brown notebook by John Charles Beck, Rt. 1, Wichita Falls, TX and given to his oldest son, Robert J. Beck of Fort Worth, TX.
Source: 1903 Wills Point Chronicle article under COTTON PICKERS
Reports of Good Picking Coming in at Lively Rate:
John Beck reports for his children: Henry, aged 16, 463 pounds; Leona, aged 13, 402 pounds; Cora, aged 10, 202 pounds.

Notes for Raymond Dabney:
Source: From the genealogical notes - 1960 to 1985 - written in a small brown notebook by John Charles Beck, Rt. 1, Wichita Falls, TX and given to his oldest son, Robert J. Beck of Fort Worth, TX.

Grace Ophelia Beck, b. 07 November 1898, Wills Point, Van Zandt Co., TX; d. 27 July 1962, Killed in auto accident in Giddings, TX; interred Union Grove Cem., Wills Point, TX; m. Royce Madison Plyler, 10 November 1923, Wills Point, Van Zandt Co., TX; b. 17 June 1901, Wills Point, Van Zandt Co., TX; d. 26 March 1936, Killed in Truck accident in Greenville, Hunt Co., TX; interred Wills Point, TX.

Notes for Grace Ophelia Beck:
Source: Family remembrances and written notes by John Charles Beck, her brother.
Grace O. Beck Plyler was killed in a car crash when she was driving from Corpus Christi, Texas, where she lived, to Wills Point, Texas, to attend the wedding of Carolyn Sue Beck, her niece. This was on July 27, 1962.

The last letter written by Grace Beck Plyler, dated 2 July 1962, to her brother, John Charles Beck and his family, stated:
Dear Alta, Chas, and Max,
Well, half of another year is gone forever, and gone forever are that many days of our lives - - we're that many days nearer the end of the way. I am really in the Golden Age era, but really, at least most of the time, I don't feel that I am; other days I feel as if I'm about 80, when I'm not up to par physically and tired out mentally. I am thankful to have a job that's not so trying and not very much work to do.
I was so glad to get your letter, Charles, the lst of April, I think it was. It seems I hear so seldom. I have always excused you, Alta, for not writing as you have your children and your family, but your little sister informed me she doesn't hear from you either very often. I really enjoyed chatting with Ruby the Sunday she attended our church. Brother Norman (Glen) surely had some nice words for her when he introduced her, saying she was still Miss Ruby to him.
Chas, you asked if Speedy & Joyce go to church regularly. I thought they did, so when I was there two weeks ago, I told them you had asked if they did. They seemed pleased that you inquired about them and said they did go every Sunday. They go to the Methodist church.
Are you planning to attend Sue's day of days - - her wedding? I have asked off, and Speedy thought he could get his vacation then, so if all works out, we will be there.
Did Don ever get to come? I think you wrote that Wanda came. Ruby wrote that Nell's husband was in Denton for the summer school, so I'm sure they had a visit with you. How did Bob like the convention? Our pastor and his family went. Do hope you will feel like going to Wills Point. Try and get a lot of rest, and maybe you can make it, for don't know when I'll get there again - maybe my own funeral, can't ever tell.

Love,
Grace

Grace is buried beside her husband at Union Grove Cemetery in Wills Point, Texas. She is survived by one son, Royce Weldon Plyler.

Notes for Royce Madison Plyler:
Royce Plyler was killed in a truck accident in 1936.

He is buried at Union Grove Cemetery in Wills Point, VanZandt County, TX.

vi.

Clara Ethel "Ruby" Beck, b. 21 June 1901, Wills Point, Van Zandt Co.,Texas; d. 05 September 1968, Interred Grove Hill Cem., Dallas, Dallas Co., Texas; m. Albert Jewell Wallis, 25 March 1926, Dallas, Dallas Co., Texas; b. 08 June 1901, Unknown; d. 19 November 1972, Interred Grove Hill Cem., Dallas, Dallas Co., Texas.

Notes for Clara Ethel "Ruby" Beck:
Source: From the genealogical notes - 1960 to 1985 - written in a small brown notebook by John Charles Beck, Rt. 1, Wichita Falls, TX and given to his oldest son, Robert J. Beck of Fort Worth, TX.

Notes for Albert Jewell Wallis:
Source: From the genealogical notes - 1960 to 1985 - written in a small brown notebook by John Charles Beck, Rt. 1, Wichita Falls, TX and given to his oldest son, Robert J. Beck of Fort Worth, TX.
Source: 1900 Texas Census

vii.

Mr. John Charles Beck, b. 07 May 1903, Wills Point, Van Zandt Co., TX; d. 22 November 1985, Denver, Colorado; interred Union Grove Cem., Wills Point, Van Zandt Co., TX; m. Alta Mae Tittle, 18 December 1927, Wills Point, Van Zandt County, Texas ³; b. 01 June 1902, Tiftonia/Wauhatchie, Chattanooga, Hamilton Co., TN; d. 29 March 1994, Fort Worth, Texas; interred Union Grove Cem., Wills Point, Van Zandt Co., TX.

Notes for Mr. John Charles Beck:
Source: 1910 - 1920 Texas Census
Source: Beck Family Bible
Source: From the genealogical notes - 1960 to 1985 - written in a small brown notebook by John Charles Beck, Rt. 1, Wichita Falls, TX and given to his oldest son, Robert J. Beck of Fort Worth, TX.
Source: 1900 Texas Census

Source: Researched and written by daughter, Joyce Nell (Beck) LaGrone-Truitt in her book, "Beck & Tittle Footprints", 1999 - Texas1933@aol.com

John Charles "Charlie" Beck was born 07 May 1903 in Wills Point, Van Zandt County, TX. His parents were John Jefferson "J.J." Beck (b. 26 June 1863 at Beck's Mill, Washington County, Indiana; d. 25 March 1950 in Wills Point, Van Zandt Co., TX) and Annie Elizabeth Faulkner (b. 28 May 1870 in Milton, Northampton, England; d. 22 March 1946 in Wills Point, TX). Both buried in Union Grove Cemetery there.

Grandparents of John Charles Beck were Alexander D. Beck and his wife Mrs. Catherine (Horsey) Greenwood and James John Randall Faulkner his wife Anna Gardner of Stoke Buerne, Northampton, England. The Faulkners arrived from England in 1872 when Annie Elizabeth, mother of John Charles, was two years old.

Charles' paternal great-grandparents were Andrew M. Beck and Susan Nowlin Devin, who had married in Washington Co., Indiana. Susan gave birth to several children and when her youngest son, John J. Beck was born in 1832 she died that day. She was buried in either Washington Co., IN or Gibson Co., IN. Andrew M. Beck and his second wife moved from Indiana to near Terrell, Texas in 1854 and are buried at College Mound Cemetery, Kaufman Co., TX. The maternal great-grandparents of John Charles Beck were Daniel Faulkner and Elizabeth Randall Faulkner of Bedford, Marston Moretayne, England. James and Anna Faulkner are buried in Union Grove Cem., Wills Point.

Great-great-grandparents of John Charles were (Capt) George Beck, Sr. and Elizabeth Claver Beck,of Rowan (now Davidson) County, NC. They took their children and moved to Indiana Territory in 1807 where they built Beck's Mill, the first grist mill in the 30-50 mile area in what is now Washington County. Many stories of the Beck's are written in that county history. An oil painting was reproduced into 1000 limited edition prints of the mill in 1992. Our family has purchased three of these prints which is in a winter scene.

Charlie was a handsome, clean-cut young man, over six feet tall, square jawed with stunning blue eyes and slim frame, size 12 shoe, a good foundation! After getting his early education at Palmer Grove School, he enrolled at Texas A&M College and studied mechanical drawing. Then he took a job with Sears Roebuck & Co. and was transferred to Kansas City, Mo. That was too far distance from his family, and he returned to Wills Point, Texas and took up his agricultural lifetime continuance.

John Charles Beck married Miss Alta Mae Tittle on 18 December 1927 in Wills Point, TX. They had five children, four of whom grew to adulthood, and as of this date, 1997, all still living and have families - in Sacramento, CA, Henderson, NV, Fort Worth, TX and Valrico, FL.

He was lovingly called "Poppie" by his grandchildren and grands and lived in Iowa Park, Texas (Wichita County) and Wills Point, Texas, then moved to be near their eldest son, Robert J. Beck in Fort Worth, TX in 1983.

John Charles Beck died on November 22, 1985 while visiting his son, Larry Max Beck in Denver, Colorado of cardiac arrest and prostate cancer. He had surgery there and died within two days. His body was flown back to Texas where his oldest son, Bob, a Baptist minister, assisted at his funeral. Interment was at Union Grove Cemetery in Wills Point, TX.

Children: Mickey Gene (who died at age two months); Robert Jack; Joyce Nell; Donald Charles; Larry Max.

Notes for Alta Mae Tittle:
Source: Compilation of family genealogical information by daughter, Joyce Nell Beck LaGrone Truitt in 1994 - 2000 and included in "Beck & Tittle Footprints" - Texas1933@aol.com or SNOWWISS@aol.com or jrbeck@flash.net

ALTA MAE TITTLE was born June 1, 1902, near Moccasin Bend, Lookout Valley, Chattanooga, Hamilton County, Tennessee. In 1905, her parents, Thomas Jefferson "Jeff" Tittle and Martha Minerva Beavers Tittle, two brothers and two sisters moved all personal belongings and farm animals and equipment by train to Sunset, Texas. The family farmed there, living next to Minerva's parents. The family added two more daughters and one son to the family when living in Chillicothe, Texas and Sweeney, Texas before settling in Wills Point, Van Zandt County, TX, where she grew up and married. She was a beautiful teenage girl, dark brown hair, high cheek bones, fair complexion, 5'6" and 110 pounds. She was an excellent seamstress and sewed her clothes, tatted, embroidered and was an excellent cook and a sincere Christian. Her good humor continued throughout her life as many people enjoyed her hospitality and happiness.

She and her parents and 7 brothers and sisters lived on a farm of 183 acres in the Palmer Grove Community north of Wills Point, VanZandt County, Texas from about 1918.

Her father, Jefferson "Jeff" Tittle was born July 25, 1855 in Dade County, Georgia. His parents were David F. Tittle and Margaret Nabors. Alta's mother, Martha Minerva Beavers, was born February 18, 1877 in Decatur, Meigs County, Tennessee. Her grandparents were Robert T. "Bob" Beavers and Prudence Elizabeth Pennington.

The young girls and their brothers attended the one room school at Palmer Grove through the eighth grade, then received their diplomas.

My mother, Alta Mae Tittle Beck, told the story of the first ice cream she ever ate. The "room mothers" brought a freezer of the sweet dessert to school and served to the students one hot September day. Alta thought this was so heavenly and wanted to take some home to her younger brother, Loyd. She took the ice cream cone and began the two mile walk home! Guess what!

Alta began teaching the younger children upon her graduation from eighth grade. As a child, I visited with my cousin Dawn Rankin who was attending this school in about 1938. A large pot bellied coal stove with pipe that went through the side of the room heated the entire school. Desks were made of hardwood with a round hole where an ink bottle was placed, a pencil tray groove and the top of the desk top raised to put books inside. We jumped rope at recess or played "Ring Around The Roses! and "Red Rover, Red Rover." The boys played marbles in the dirt or wrestled in the leaves or played ball.

Residing in Iowa Park, Wichita Co., Texas during her married years, in 1983 Alta and her husband John Charles Beck sold their estate located at 1007 Huntington Lane, Wichita Falls, Texas, and moved to an apartment near their son, Robert J. Beck, in Fort Worth, TX. After the death of her husband in 1985, Alta, being disabled, resided in Alta Mesa Nursing Home in Fort Worth until her death on March 29, 1994.

Alta Mae Tittle Beck is buried beside her husband at Union Grove Cemetery, Wills Point, Texas. She was affectionately called "Mommie Beck" by her grandchildren and greats. Her parents are also interred in the same cemetery, as well as some of her siblings and her baby son, Mickey Gene Beck.

Source: Remembrances of daughter, Joyce Nell Beck
Source: Texas Census Records
Source: Van Zandt Co., TX Marriage Records
Source: Death Certificate; Obituary
Research and writing done 1994 - present

A beautiful thought for Mothers.
Subj: Motherhood - It may change your life
Date: 5/7/1999 10:56:36 AM Eastern Daylight Time
To: Texas1933

> >MOTHERHOOD - IT WILL CHANGE YOUR LIFE....

We are sitting at lunch when she casually mentions that she and her husband are thinking of "starting a family". "We're taking a survey," she says, half joking. "Do you think I should have a baby?"

"It will change your life," I say carefully, keeping my tone neutral. "I know," she says, "no more sleeping in on the weekend, no more spontaneous vacations..." But that is not what I meant at all.

I look at my friend, trying to decide what to tell her. I want her to know what she will never learn in child birth classes. I want to tell her that the physical wounds of child bearing heal, but that becoming a mother will leave her with an emotional wound so raw that she will be forever vulnerable. I consider warning her that she will never read a newspaper again without asking "What if that had been MY child?" That every plane crash, every fire will haunt her. That when she sees pictures of starving children, she will wonder if anything could be worse than watching your child die. I look at her carefully manicured nails and stylish suit and think that no matter how sophisticated she is, becoming a mother will reduce her to the primitive level of a bear protecting her cub. That an urgent call of "Mom!" will cause her to drop a souffle or her best crystal without a moment's hesitation.

I feel I should warn her that no matter how many years she has invested in her career, she will be professionally derailed by motherhood. She might arrange for child care, but one day she will be going into an important business meeting and she will think about her baby's sweet smell. She will have to use every ounce of her discipline to keep from running home, just to make sure her baby is all right.

I want my friend to know that everyday decisions will no longer be routine. That a five year old boy's desire to go to the men's room rather than the women's at McDonalds will become a major dilemma. That right there, in the midst of clattering trays and screaming children, issues of independence and gender identity will be weighed against the prospect that child molester may be lurking in that restroom. However decisive she may be at the office, she will second-guess herself constantly as a mother.

Looking at my attractive friend, I want to assure her that eventually she will shed the pounds of pregnancy, but she will never feel the same about herself. That her life, now so important, will be of less value to her once she has a child. That she would give it up in a moment to save her offspring, but will also begin to hope for more years not to accomplish her own dreams, but to watch her child accomplish theirs.

I want her to know that a cesarean scar or shiny stretch mark swill become badges of honor. My friend's relationship with her husband will change, but not in the ways she thinks. I wish she could understand how much more you can love a man who is always careful to powder the baby or never hesitates to play with his child. I think she should know that she will fall in love with him again for reasons she would now find very unromantic.

I wish my friend could sense the bond she'll feel with women throughout history who have tried desperately to stop war and prejudice and drunk driving. I hope she will understand why I can think rationally about most issues, but become temporarily insane when I discuss the threat of nuclear war to my children's future.

I want to describe to my friend the exhilaration of seeing your child learn to ride a bike. I want to capture for her the belly laugh of a baby who is touching the soft fur of a dog or cat for the first time. I want her to taste the joy that is so real, it actually hurts. My friend's quizzical look makes me realize that tears have formed in my eyes. "You'll never regret it," I say finally.

Then I reach across the table, squeeze my friend's hand, and offer a silent prayer for her, and for me, and for all of the mere mortal women who stumble their way into this most wonderful of callings. The blessed gift of God and that of being a Mother.

> >Author unknown

viii.

Curtis Solon Beck, b. 15 April 1906, Wills Point, Van Zandt Co., TX; d. 29 March 1992, Interred Union Grove Cem, Wills Point, Van Zandt Co., TX; m. Alma Lorine Mott, 12 January 1931, Wills Point, Texas; b. 07 September 1907, Wills Point, Van Zandt Co., TX.

Notes for Alma Lorine Mott:
Alma L. Mott Beck has recently celebrated her 90th birthday with a dinner in Terrell, Texas at the restaurant there. The occasion was planned by their sons and many friends and family members were present. (1997) She resides on their farm site just north of Wills Point, Texas.

ix.

William Cordell Beck, b. 10 February 1912, Wills Point, Van Zandt Co., TX; d. 24 March 1951, Greenville, Texas; m. Ima Lucille( McKnight) Walters, 31 December 1939, Wills Point, Texas; b. 07 October 1917, Wills Point, Van Zandt Co., TX; d. 27 May 1961, Burlington, CO..

Notes for William Cordell Beck:
Source: From the genealogical notes - 1960 to 1985 - written in a small brown notebook by John Charles Beck, Rt. 1, Wichita Falls, TX and given to his oldest son, Robert J. Beck of Fort Worth, TX.

Notes for Ima Lucille( McKnight) Walters:
Source: From the genealogical notes - 1960 to 1985 - written in a small brown notebook by John Charles Beck, Rt. 1, Wichita Falls, TX and given to his oldest son, Robert J. Beck of Fort Worth, TX.

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