WI BIO - Dane Co - BECK, John L.
Biographical Review of Dane County, WI. Chicago: Biographical Review Pub. Co. 
1893. Vol II, pp 338-339

John L. BECK is one of the leading merchants of the city of Madison, Dane 
County, WI, being a member of the firm of Krehl & Beck, hardware dealers and 
tin workers and jobbers. The firm is located at Nos. 121 and 123 East 
Washington Avenue, the business having been established in Jan 1891, and 
although still in its infancy the enterprise has proven very successful. 
John L. BECK was born in Wurtemburg, Germany, 22 Apr 1829, son of John and 
Felictas (KREHL) BECK, natives of Germany. The parents lived and died in 
their native city of Wurtemburg, the father dying at the age of 59, the 
mother at 73 years. They were good, hard working people all their lives, and 
earnest members of the German Lutheran Church. The father held a position 
all his life under Government, and was a faithful official. There were five 
daughters one son, our subject, in the family born to these parents.

John L. BECK grew to manhood in his native land, receiving his education in 
the good schools of Wurtemberg, and learning the trade of a baker, which he 
followed until 01 Mar 1854, when he took passage on a sailer from Antwerp, 
landing in NY City after a voyage of eight weeks. He came thence to Chicago, 
Cook County, IL, where he was married to Miss Mary RAUSCHER, a native of 
Germany, having been born in Wurtemberg, and came to America on the same 
vessel as Mr. BECK. In Sep 1854 Mr. BECK and his young bride came to 
Madison, where Mr. BECK obtained a position in a hardware store. So faithful 
was he in the discharge of his duties that he was retained by the firm for a 
period of 36 years, when he went into business for himself, with his present 
partner. His handsome residence is situated at No. 421 West Main Street. He 
and his wife are leading members of the German Lutheran Church, as are all 
their children. Mr. BECK is an independent Democrat in politics and takes an 
active interest in local affairs. John L. and Mary (RAUSCHER) BECK are the 
parents of 11 children, nine of whom are daughters, three of whom are 
deceased, namely: Henry, Louise and Alvina. Those living are Mary, wife of 
Rev. F. Prey, a Lutheran minister, of Warner, [Brown County], SD; Eliza, wife 
of John HUEGEL, a shoe merchant of Madison; Louisa, wife of Julius PFISTER, 
now living in Madison; Sophia, widow of Young LAWRENCE, who was an engineer 
on Chicago & Western railroad, now resides with her father; Fredericka, wife 
of Dr. William MUELLER, a physician of Madison; [p 339] Emma A. and Anna, at 
home, both photographic artists; and Clara, at home, a music teacher. All 
the children are accomplished young ladies and a great credit to their 
parents.

Submitted by Cathy Kubly