Pioneer Citizen of This Community Passes Unto His Reward
In the passing of Mr. J. F. Beken, Sr., unto his eternal reward, which took place at the family residence a short distance south of town last Friday, Sept. 14, after a comparatively brief illness, our section lost one of its noblest and best citizens, a man whose word was in truth "as good as his bond," a man loved and respected by everyone irrespective of race or creed.
Mr. Beken's health had not been very good for several years, but up to within a short time ago he continued his activities. Always a man of energy and thrift, he could not sit down and take life easy, as many of his friends advised him to do. He felt that an idler had no place on this earth, and feeling that way it irked him to be unemployed.
From the time he was taken ill and forced to go to bed, it was realized his condition was serious and although physicians and family and friends did all in their power to stay the hand of Death, it was of no avail. After a few days of high fever and suffering, his poor, tired spirit succumbed, and our good friend had gone on to join his beloved ones in the other and better world above.
Funeral arrangements were made and the body taken to the New Bielau Cemetery, Sunday afternoon at 3 o'clock for its final resting place. Touching funeral services were held at the residence and also at the grave by the family pastor, Rev. Paul Piepenbrok, Lutheran minister.
Active pall bearers were Messrs. Henry J. Laas, Geo. Herder, Jr., D. Schroeder, Fritz Wendt, Fred Froehlich and J. F. W. Koehn. Honorary pall bearers named by the family were as follows: F. E. Brandes, Aug. Brandes, H. W. Laging of Nordheim, Wm. Rahlwes, Chas. F. Hoegemeyer, Albin Stirl, Henry Harmes and Fred Behlen of Shiner, Aug. Dahse, John Juergens, Gerh. Kuck and Adolf Michalek.
J. F. Beken was born July 27, 1854, in Westerstede, Province of Oldenburg, Germany. He came to this country in company with Henry Harmes (now a resident of Shiner) in the fall of 1879, when he was 23 years of age. He and Mr. Harmes located with a farmer on what is known as the Polk farm a short distance southeast of Weimar, and took up the carpenter trade. This they followed for a number of years.
On March 21, 1883, Mr. Beken was united in marriage to Miss Louise Ehlers, the ceremony taking place at Content. Here the couple lived for awhile then moved to their present home, where they have resided ever since.
Of Mr. Beken's early life in Germany as a boy and as a youth, much could be said. His was a continuous struggle with hardships, and as he grew older and read of America and its opportunities, he was fired with an ambition to come here and settle, hence the momentous voyage of Mr. Beken and Mr. Harmes as young men to the new land.
Early in life, Mr. Beken was seized with a desire to possess a farm, and the first $500 he owned he invested in same. Later, as he prospered, he made other purchases of real estate until he became one of the largest land owners in the west end of the county. He also loved stock raising and, at times, was possessor of quite large herds of cattle. Through indomitable energy, honesty and thrift, he has left to his loved ones an estate of no mean proportions.
In 1905, Mr. Beken, in company with old time friends. H. W. Laging, F. E. Brandes and Fritz Ehlers, visited their former homes in Germany, and the trip proved a momentous and happy one to all, as with some of the party it was their first visit home in many years.
Ten children were born to Mr. and Mrs. Beken, two of whom died. Surviving him are the widow, Mrs. Louise Beken, and the following children: Fritz Beken of Ganado, Henry, Emil, Otto, August and Dietrich Beken, all of New Bielau, Mrs. Ella Michalek of Edna and Mrs. Sophie Hasse of New Bielau; also 22 grandchildren, and two sisters, Mrs. Johanna Koehler of near Weimar and Mrs. Louise Beken residing in Germany.
Mr. Beken was a member of the Evangelical Lutheran Trinity Church in New Bielau. For many years, he was trustee and president of said congregation. His age at time of death was 74 years, 1 month and 18 days.
If Fritz Beken had an enemy on earth, no one knew of it. Always kindly and forgiving, always ready to extend a helping hand to those less fortunate than himself, an upright, honorable man under any and all circumstances. "None knew him but to praise." In his passing all of us feel that we have in deed and truth lost one of the best and dearest friend that we ever possessed.
May God be merciful to his bereaved ones and extend to them the comfort that He alone can. Our heartfelt sympathy goes out to them.
Weimar Mercury, September 21, 1827, page 1
In the passing of Mr. J. F. Beken, Sr., unto his eternal reward, which took place at the family residence a short distance south of town last Friday, Sept. 14, after a comparatively brief illness, our section lost one of its noblest and best citizens, a man whose word was in truth "as good as his bond," a man loved and respected by everyone irrespective of race or creed.
Mr. Beken's health had not been very good for several years, but up to within a short time ago he continued his activities. Always a man of energy and thrift, he could not sit down and take life easy, as many of his friends advised him to do. He felt that an idler had no place on this earth, and feeling that way it irked him to be unemployed.
From the time he was taken ill and forced to go to bed, it was realized his condition was serious and although physicians and family and friends did all in their power to stay the hand of Death, it was of no avail. After a few days of high fever and suffering, his poor, tired spirit succumbed, and our good friend had gone on to join his beloved ones in the other and better world above.
Funeral arrangements were made and the body taken to the New Bielau Cemetery, Sunday afternoon at 3 o'clock for its final resting place. Touching funeral services were held at the residence and also at the grave by the family pastor, Rev. Paul Piepenbrok, Lutheran minister.
Active pall bearers were Messrs. Henry J. Laas, Geo. Herder, Jr., D. Schroeder, Fritz Wendt, Fred Froehlich and J. F. W. Koehn. Honorary pall bearers named by the family were as follows: F. E. Brandes, Aug. Brandes, H. W. Laging of Nordheim, Wm. Rahlwes, Chas. F. Hoegemeyer, Albin Stirl, Henry Harmes and Fred Behlen of Shiner, Aug. Dahse, John Juergens, Gerh. Kuck and Adolf Michalek.
J. F. Beken was born July 27, 1854, in Westerstede, Province of Oldenburg, Germany. He came to this country in company with Henry Harmes (now a resident of Shiner) in the fall of 1879, when he was 23 years of age. He and Mr. Harmes located with a farmer on what is known as the Polk farm a short distance southeast of Weimar, and took up the carpenter trade. This they followed for a number of years.
On March 21, 1883, Mr. Beken was united in marriage to Miss Louise Ehlers, the ceremony taking place at Content. Here the couple lived for awhile then moved to their present home, where they have resided ever since.
Of Mr. Beken's early life in Germany as a boy and as a youth, much could be said. His was a continuous struggle with hardships, and as he grew older and read of America and its opportunities, he was fired with an ambition to come here and settle, hence the momentous voyage of Mr. Beken and Mr. Harmes as young men to the new land.
Early in life, Mr. Beken was seized with a desire to possess a farm, and the first $500 he owned he invested in same. Later, as he prospered, he made other purchases of real estate until he became one of the largest land owners in the west end of the county. He also loved stock raising and, at times, was possessor of quite large herds of cattle. Through indomitable energy, honesty and thrift, he has left to his loved ones an estate of no mean proportions.
In 1905, Mr. Beken, in company with old time friends. H. W. Laging, F. E. Brandes and Fritz Ehlers, visited their former homes in Germany, and the trip proved a momentous and happy one to all, as with some of the party it was their first visit home in many years.
Ten children were born to Mr. and Mrs. Beken, two of whom died. Surviving him are the widow, Mrs. Louise Beken, and the following children: Fritz Beken of Ganado, Henry, Emil, Otto, August and Dietrich Beken, all of New Bielau, Mrs. Ella Michalek of Edna and Mrs. Sophie Hasse of New Bielau; also 22 grandchildren, and two sisters, Mrs. Johanna Koehler of near Weimar and Mrs. Louise Beken residing in Germany.
Mr. Beken was a member of the Evangelical Lutheran Trinity Church in New Bielau. For many years, he was trustee and president of said congregation. His age at time of death was 74 years, 1 month and 18 days.
If Fritz Beken had an enemy on earth, no one knew of it. Always kindly and forgiving, always ready to extend a helping hand to those less fortunate than himself, an upright, honorable man under any and all circumstances. "None knew him but to praise." In his passing all of us feel that we have in deed and truth lost one of the best and dearest friend that we ever possessed.
May God be merciful to his bereaved ones and extend to them the comfort that He alone can. Our heartfelt sympathy goes out to them.
Weimar Mercury, September 21, 1827, page 1
Pioneer Citizen of This Community Passes Unto His Reward
In the passing of Mr. J. F. Beken, Sr., unto his eternal reward, which took place at the family residence a short distance south of town last Friday, Sept. 14, after a comparatively brief illness, our section lost one of its noblest and best citizens, a man whose word was in truth "as good as his bond," a man loved and respected by everyone irrespective of race or creed.
Mr. Beken's health had not been very good for several years, but up to within a short time ago he continued his activities. Always a man of energy and thrift, he could not sit down and take life easy, as many of his friends advised him to do. He felt that an idler had no place on this earth, and feeling that way it irked him to be unemployed.
From the time he was taken ill and forced to go to bed, it was realized his condition was serious and although physicians and family and friends did all in their power to stay the hand of Death, it was of no avail. After a few days of high fever and suffering, his poor, tired spirit succumbed, and our good friend had gone on to join his beloved ones in the other and better world above.
Funeral arrangements were made and the body taken to the New Bielau Cemetery, Sunday afternoon at 3 o'clock for its final resting place. Touching funeral services were held at the residence and also at the grave by the family pastor, Rev. Paul Piepenbrok, Lutheran minister.
Active pall bearers were Messrs. Henry J. Laas, Geo. Herder, Jr., D. Schroeder, Fritz Wendt, Fred Froehlich and J. F. W. Koehn. Honorary pall bearers named by the family were as follows: F. E. Brandes, Aug. Brandes, H. W. Laging of Nordheim, Wm. Rahlwes, Chas. F. Hoegemeyer, Albin Stirl, Henry Harmes and Fred Behlen of Shiner, Aug. Dahse, John Juergens, Gerh. Kuck and Adolf Michalek.
J. F. Beken was born July 27, 1854, in Westerstede, Province of Oldenburg, Germany. He came to this country in company with Henry Harmes (now a resident of Shiner) in the fall of 1879, when he was 23 years of age. He and Mr. Harmes located with a farmer on what is known as the Polk farm a short distance southeast of Weimar, and took up the carpenter trade. This they followed for a number of years.
On March 21, 1883, Mr. Beken was united in marriage to Miss Louise Ehlers, the ceremony taking place at Content. Here the couple lived for awhile then moved to their present home, where they have resided ever since.
Of Mr. Beken's early life in Germany as a boy and as a youth, much could be said. His was a continuous struggle with hardships, and as he grew older and read of America and its opportunities, he was fired with an ambition to come here and settle, hence the momentous voyage of Mr. Beken and Mr. Harmes as young men to the new land.
Early in life, Mr. Beken was seized with a desire to possess a farm, and the first $500 he owned he invested in same. Later, as he prospered, he made other purchases of real estate until he became one of the largest land owners in the west end of the county. He also loved stock raising and, at times, was possessor of quite large herds of cattle. Through indomitable energy, honesty and thrift, he has left to his loved ones an estate of no mean proportions.
In 1905, Mr. Beken, in company with old time friends. H. W. Laging, F. E. Brandes and Fritz Ehlers, visited their former homes in Germany, and the trip proved a momentous and happy one to all, as with some of the party it was their first visit home in many years.
Ten children were born to Mr. and Mrs. Beken, two of whom died. Surviving him are the widow, Mrs. Louise Beken, and the following children: Fritz Beken of Ganado, Henry, Emil, Otto, August and Dietrich Beken, all of New Bielau, Mrs. Ella Michalek of Edna and Mrs. Sophie Hasse of New Bielau; also 22 grandchildren, and two sisters, Mrs. Johanna Koehler of near Weimar and Mrs. Louise Beken residing in Germany.
Mr. Beken was a member of the Evangelical Lutheran Trinity Church in New Bielau. For many years, he was trustee and president of said congregation. His age at time of death was 74 years, 1 month and 18 days.
If Fritz Beken had an enemy on earth, no one knew of it. Always kindly and forgiving, always ready to extend a helping hand to those less fortunate than himself, an upright, honorable man under any and all circumstances. "None knew him but to praise." In his passing all of us feel that we have in deed and truth lost one of the best and dearest friend that we ever possessed.
May God be merciful to his bereaved ones and extend to them the comfort that He alone can. Our heartfelt sympathy goes out to them.
Weimar Mercury, September 21, 1827, page 1
In the passing of Mr. J. F. Beken, Sr., unto his eternal reward, which took place at the family residence a short distance south of town last Friday, Sept. 14, after a comparatively brief illness, our section lost one of its noblest and best citizens, a man whose word was in truth "as good as his bond," a man loved and respected by everyone irrespective of race or creed.
Mr. Beken's health had not been very good for several years, but up to within a short time ago he continued his activities. Always a man of energy and thrift, he could not sit down and take life easy, as many of his friends advised him to do. He felt that an idler had no place on this earth, and feeling that way it irked him to be unemployed.
From the time he was taken ill and forced to go to bed, it was realized his condition was serious and although physicians and family and friends did all in their power to stay the hand of Death, it was of no avail. After a few days of high fever and suffering, his poor, tired spirit succumbed, and our good friend had gone on to join his beloved ones in the other and better world above.
Funeral arrangements were made and the body taken to the New Bielau Cemetery, Sunday afternoon at 3 o'clock for its final resting place. Touching funeral services were held at the residence and also at the grave by the family pastor, Rev. Paul Piepenbrok, Lutheran minister.
Active pall bearers were Messrs. Henry J. Laas, Geo. Herder, Jr., D. Schroeder, Fritz Wendt, Fred Froehlich and J. F. W. Koehn. Honorary pall bearers named by the family were as follows: F. E. Brandes, Aug. Brandes, H. W. Laging of Nordheim, Wm. Rahlwes, Chas. F. Hoegemeyer, Albin Stirl, Henry Harmes and Fred Behlen of Shiner, Aug. Dahse, John Juergens, Gerh. Kuck and Adolf Michalek.
J. F. Beken was born July 27, 1854, in Westerstede, Province of Oldenburg, Germany. He came to this country in company with Henry Harmes (now a resident of Shiner) in the fall of 1879, when he was 23 years of age. He and Mr. Harmes located with a farmer on what is known as the Polk farm a short distance southeast of Weimar, and took up the carpenter trade. This they followed for a number of years.
On March 21, 1883, Mr. Beken was united in marriage to Miss Louise Ehlers, the ceremony taking place at Content. Here the couple lived for awhile then moved to their present home, where they have resided ever since.
Of Mr. Beken's early life in Germany as a boy and as a youth, much could be said. His was a continuous struggle with hardships, and as he grew older and read of America and its opportunities, he was fired with an ambition to come here and settle, hence the momentous voyage of Mr. Beken and Mr. Harmes as young men to the new land.
Early in life, Mr. Beken was seized with a desire to possess a farm, and the first $500 he owned he invested in same. Later, as he prospered, he made other purchases of real estate until he became one of the largest land owners in the west end of the county. He also loved stock raising and, at times, was possessor of quite large herds of cattle. Through indomitable energy, honesty and thrift, he has left to his loved ones an estate of no mean proportions.
In 1905, Mr. Beken, in company with old time friends. H. W. Laging, F. E. Brandes and Fritz Ehlers, visited their former homes in Germany, and the trip proved a momentous and happy one to all, as with some of the party it was their first visit home in many years.
Ten children were born to Mr. and Mrs. Beken, two of whom died. Surviving him are the widow, Mrs. Louise Beken, and the following children: Fritz Beken of Ganado, Henry, Emil, Otto, August and Dietrich Beken, all of New Bielau, Mrs. Ella Michalek of Edna and Mrs. Sophie Hasse of New Bielau; also 22 grandchildren, and two sisters, Mrs. Johanna Koehler of near Weimar and Mrs. Louise Beken residing in Germany.
Mr. Beken was a member of the Evangelical Lutheran Trinity Church in New Bielau. For many years, he was trustee and president of said congregation. His age at time of death was 74 years, 1 month and 18 days.
If Fritz Beken had an enemy on earth, no one knew of it. Always kindly and forgiving, always ready to extend a helping hand to those less fortunate than himself, an upright, honorable man under any and all circumstances. "None knew him but to praise." In his passing all of us feel that we have in deed and truth lost one of the best and dearest friend that we ever possessed.
May God be merciful to his bereaved ones and extend to them the comfort that He alone can. Our heartfelt sympathy goes out to them.
Weimar Mercury, September 21, 1827, page 1
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