Chart | Baptism | Marriage | Bio | Death | Census

Son of Jacob Beck and Agnes Mesmer √
Husband of Lena Stoll √

Facts (with source information): Narrative Report

Chart

1865 Baptism

St. John the Baptist, Burlington, Iowa
Number 30
(film 007903128, image 155)

Henry A. Beck was the youngest child of Jacob and Agnes, born April 3, 1865. The Civil War ended on April 9th when General Lee Surrendered at Appomattox Courthouse in Virginia. President Lincoln was assassinated April 15th. Henry was baptized April 23rd.

Jacob and Agnes Beck had lost their eldest son, Henry, who was born in Prussia in 1845 and immigrated with them to America in 1855. He became a Union soldier and was killed at the battle of Vicksburg in 1863. They named their youngest baby “Henry” to honor his brother’s memory. We do not know his middle name, only that the initial was “A” and that he always signed his name “Henry A. Beck.”

1888 Marriage Return Document

Burlington, Des Moines County, Iowa
They were married by Pastor T. F. Bode of First Evangelical Church of Burlington. (His title, M.G., stands for “Minister of the Gospel,” and is often seen in marriage records.) Henry had not left the Catholic Church for good: they later had all three of their daughters baptized at St. John the Evangelist.

1888 Marriage Civil Record

Des Moines County, Iowa
Number 223, bottom of the page

1915 Local History Book

History of Des Moines County and its People (Vol II)
By Augustine M. Antrobus
S. J. Clarke Publishing Company
Chicago
1915
pages 178 – 180
(The New York Public Library has this book.)

This book is considered a secondary source, so not as highly-thought-of as other records shown on this post. But it does tell us a bit about Henry Beck’s life. Included here is a transcription of the biographical sketch. All the leading citizens of Burlington were included in this book. The publisher compiled local histories and sold books to the folks who were included. Many midwest towns had Chicago publishers providing these histories.

Biographical Sketch of Henry A Beck

1925 Death

Census Records

The 1890 census was lost in a fire.

1870 Census

lines 39-40 show his parents (bottom of the page)

lines 1-3 show Henry and two of his sisters (top of the page)

1880 Census

Henry and one sister are at home with his father. His mother had died.
lines 9-11

1900 Census

lines 39-42 show his family, including two daughters. His wife says she has had two children and both are living.

1910 Census

lines 10-14 show his family, including three daughters. His wife says she has had three children and all are living.

1920 Census

His daughter Dorothy is still at home.
lines 54-56

1925 Iowa State Census

lines 126-128, near the top (this is the left side)

lines 126-128, near the top (this is the right side)