William Franklin Beck was born January 11, 1853 in Clay County, Illinois and died February 20, 1933 in Midlothian, Texas. According to his death certificate, his father was Col. Jno. A. Beck.

William F. Beck came to Texas and settled in Johnson County. Later, he married Margaret Elizabeth Tutt of Arkansas. Their children were: Margaret Hattie, Willie P., and Edward Dalton Beck. Hattie Beck born November 11, 1876 and died March 25, 1932, married Henry Carroll Ground on March 5, 1893. Willie Beck was born December 31, 1878 and died September 17, 1882. Dalton Beck, born November 27, 1880 and died in 1939, married Lucy Lane on May 19, 1902. Margaret Tutt Beck, born December 5, 1852 and died April 11, 1882, was buried in Sand Flat Cemetery.

After his first wife died, William F. Beck married Amanda Louise Harp on October 15, 1882 in Johnson County. Their children were: Virgil L., Roy Elmer, Lena E., Bessie, infant son, Raymond, W. Earl, Euna and Lillian Eva Beck. Virgil Beck was born November 28, 1883, and died June 23, 1884. Roy Elmer Beck, born June 25, 1885 in Midlothian and died August 24, 1944 in Waco, married Elizabeth (Bessie) Lethella Howell. Lena Beck, born July 4, 1887 and died January 3, 1919, married Alby Lee Murphree. Bessie Beck was born February 18, 1889 and died January 22, 1891. The infant son was born January 19, 1891 and died January 21, 1891. Raymond Beck was born March 28, 1892 and died September 21, 1892. W. Earl Beck, born July 12, 1893 and died June 21, 1967, married Leona Esperance Dodgen. Euna Beck was born July 8, 1896 and married Angus Donalson, on June 11, 1914. Lillian Beck, born July 16, 1899 and died Jan. 23, 1973, married Judge Garvin.

William F. and Amanda Harp Beck and family moved to Midlothian, Ellis County, Texas where W. F. Beck served as an alderman on the first city council in 1888. Amanda Beck and Hattie Beck joined the Methodist Church of Midlothian in 1889 and 1890 respectively. In 1905 William F. Beck went to the World's Fair at St. Louis and his son Roy Elmer is remembered buying a pair of roller skates. Amanda Beck died November 30, 1912 and was buried in the Midlothian Cemetery. William F. Beck owned a business in Midlothian and was a member of the IOOF/Odd Fellows' Lodge No. 296, serving as treasurer in 1893. He was a member the Methodist Church of Midlothian. After Amanda's death, W. F. Beck married Ella McDonald, but they had no children.

His obituary states:
Aged Citizen Dies

W. F. Beck, 80, one of the early settlers of this section, died at his home in the east part of town at 6:30 Monday evening after a week's illness.

William Franklin Beck was born Jan. 11, 1853, in Clay County, Illnois. He came to Texas when a young man and engaged in business in Midlothian. He has been married twice, his first wife died many years ago, leaving him five children. In 1916 he married Mrs. Ella McDonald, who survives him.

He was a member of the Methodist Church and was often seen in the place of worship. He was loyal to his friends, trustworthy in his dealings, and an honored citizen.

Five children survive him. They are: Mrs. A. W. Donalson, Shreveport, La.; Mrs. J. A. Garvin, Silverton; E. D. Beck, Fort Smith, Ark.; R. E. Beck, Waco; and W. E. Beck, Dallas. All were present for the funeral. He is also survived by 12 grandchildren.

Funeral services were held at the Methodist Church Tuesday at 2:30, conducted by the Rev. B. G. Taylor, pastor of the First Presbyterian Church. Interment was made in the Midlothian Cemetery.

Members of the Order of Odd Fellows, Lodge No. 80, acted as pallbearers, and had charge of the services at the grave.
___________

Texas Marriages:
W. F. Beck married Amanda Harp, Oct. 15, 1882, Johnson County, Tx.

+++

William Franklin Beck Bible

Family Record

Hattie Beck Date of birth Nov. 11, 1876
Place of birth
Date of marriage
Date of death 1932

Willie L. Beck Date of birth Dec. 30, 1878
Place of birth Johnson County
Date of marriage
Date of death 1882
Sand Flat Cemetery

Edward Dalton Beck Date of birth Nov. 27, 1880
Place of birth
Date of marriage
Date of death 1938

Vergel [sic] Beck Date of birth Nov. 28, 1883
Place of birth Cuba, Texas, Johnson Co.
Date of marriage
Date of death June 22, 1884

Roy Elmer Beck Date of birth June 25, 1885
Place of birth Midlothian, Texas, Ellis Co.
Date of marriage (Dec. 23, 1919) West, Texas
Date of death (Aug. 24, 1944) Waco, Texas

Lena Ella Beck Date of birth July 4, 1887
Place of birth Midlothian, Texas, Ellis Co.
Date of marriage
Date of death Jan. 1, 1919

Bessie Beck Date of birth Feb. 18, 1889
Place of birth Midlothian, Texas, Ellis Co.
Date of marriage
Date of death Jan. 21, 1891

Baby Beck Date of birth Jan. 18, 1891
Place of birth Midlothian, Texas, Ellis Co.
Date of marriage
Date of death Jan. 20, 1891

Raymond B. Date of birth Mar. 28, 189(2) (torn)
Place of birth Midlothian, Texas, Ellis Co.
Date of marriage
Date of death Sept. 21, 1892

Earl Beck Date of birth July 12, 1893 (torn)
Place of birth Midlothian, Texas, Ellis Co.
Date of marriage June 17, 1916
Date of death June 1967(?)

Euna Vay B. Date of birth July 8, 1896 (torn)
Place of birth Midlothian, Texas, Ellis Co.
Date of marriage July 11, 1914
Date of death

Lillian Beck Date of birth July 16, 1899 (written over)
Place of birth Waxahachie, Texas, Ellis Co.
Date of marriage May 27, 1916
Date of death

Ellie Beck Date of birth Mar. 26, 1877, his wife (3rd)
Place of birth
Date of marriage
Date of death

W.F. Beck Date of birth Jan. 11, 1853
Place of birth
Date of marriage
Date of death Feb. 20, 1933

+++

1900 Census, Midlothian, Ellis County, Tx:
Will F. Beck, b 1/1853 Ill
wife Amanda, b 8/1858 Ga
Dalton, b 11/1880 Tx
Elmer, b 6/1884 Tx
Lena, b 7/1887 Tx
Earl, b 7/1893 Tx
Eunice, b 7/1896 Tx
Bonnie, b 7/1899 Tx (Lillian Eva Beck, b 7-16-1899, Ellis Co., Tx)

+++

1910 Census, Midlothian, Ellis County, Tx:
William F. Beck, 63
Amanda L. Beck, 51
Elmer R, 23
Earl W, 16
Una V, 12
Lillian, 10

+++

Married 3) Mrs. Ella McDonald

1920 Census, Midlothian, Ellis County, Tx:
W. H. Beck, b 1854 Illinois
wife Ella, b 1876 Texas

+++

1930 United States Federal Census
Name: Will F Beck
Gender: Male
Birth Year: about 1853
Birthplace: Illinois
Race: White
Home in 1930: Midlothian, Ellis, Texas
Marital Status: Married
Relation to Head of House: Head
Spouse's Name: Ella Beck
Father's Birthplace: Missouri
Mother's Birthplace: Arkansas
Household Members: Name Age
Will F Beck 77
Ella Beck 56

+++

Texas Death Certificate #7685
William F. Beck,
born Illinois and
died in Midlothian, Texas.
Father was Col. Jno A. Beck.