CHRISTIAN BECK, a prosperous farmer and stock-raiser of Dry Grove Township, is the owner of eighty-six acres on section 4, and is engaged principally in the breeding of fine horses and cattle. His farm is finely cultivated and improved, and he occupies a handsome country residence which is indicative within and without of cultivated tastes and ample means. His barns and out-buildings are of first-class description, and his business transactions are carried on with that method and system which is one of the requisites of thrift and prosperity.

Mr. Beck was born in Woodford County, this State, on the 8th of June, 1848. He is the son of Peter and Catharine (Gingery) Beck, who were of German birth and parentage. Peter Beck was born in about 1805, emigrated to America in 1833, making his first location in Pennsylvania whence, four years later, he came to the Prairie State and died in Woodford County, Sept. 17, 1850. The mother was born May 27, 1809, is still living, and remains a widow. She makes her home with her son Christian.

Of their eight children the record is as follows: Barbara was born July 11, 1833, and died in infancy; Daniel was born Oct. 8, 1834; Elizabeth, Oct. 9, 1836, and married Andrew Keefer, of Allen County, Kan.; John was born Nov. 21, 1838, and died when twenty-six years of age; Ellen, now Mrs. A. Stephens, was born Feb. 19, 1841; Peter was born Nov. 21, 1843, and married Miss Lydia Miller; Catherine, born May 9, 1846, died at the age of one year and twenty days.

Christian Beck of our sketch was the youngest member of his father's family. He remained under the parental roof until he was twenty-six years of age, and on the 3d of January, 1874, was married to Miss Barbara Schick.

Mrs. B. is a native of Butler County, Ohio, was born April 19, 1847, and is the daughter of Joseph and Magdalena (Augsberger) Schick, her parents being natives of Germany, and are still living in Tazewell County, this State, which has been their home since 1856.

Their family of eleven children included the following: Elizabeth, Barbara, Magdalena, Catharine, Joseph, Mary, Annie, Francis, Lydia, Fannie and Rosa.

Mr. and Mrs. Beck have become the parents of four children Ida M., Amelia A., Mary O. and Rosa L. In religious belief Mr. Beck and wife are members of the Mennonite Church, and politically he votes the Democratic ticket. The Lake Erie & Western Railroad [ed., incorporated as the New York, Lake Erie and Western Railroad Company (NYLE&W)] crosses the southwest corner of his farm.

Portrait and biographical album of McLean County, Ill. : containing full page portraits and biographical sketches of prominent and representative citizens of the county, together with portraits and biographies of all the governors of Illinois, and of the presidents of the United States.  (Chicago:  Chapman Brothers, 1887), 296.  Transcribed and annotated by Judy Rosella Edwards.