Mrs. Minnie Paige Beckman was born on October 28, 1862, in Berlin, Prussia (present day Germany). She was the daughter of Gus Paige and Minnie Goober. Minnie immigrated to the United States in 1872 and became a naturalized citizen. According to 1880 census records, 17-year-old Minnie resided as a boarder and worked as a domestic servant in Galveston, Texas. In 1883, she met and married Mr. Charles Beckman. Charles had immigrated to Texas with his 2 brothers (William and George) from the Duchy of Saxe-Weimar (Germany) prior to the beginning of the American Civil War. During their marriage, Minnie and Charles remained in Galveston where Charles worked as a drayman and carriage driver, while Minnie took care of the home. They had 3 children, of which only one (Arthur) survived at childbirth; Arthur Joseph Beckman was born on April 22, 1893. In September 1900, Minnie and her family would live through the deadliest natural disaster in U.S. history when a hurricane (The Great Storm) and its 145 mph winds devastated Galveston by claiming over 8,000 lives, destroying 2,600 buildings, and leaving 10,000 homeless. On February 26, 1912, Minnie became a widow after her husband (Charles) of 29 years passed away at the age of 61 due to complications with diabetes. Subsequently, Minnie took up residence with her son, Arthur, and daughter-in-law, Lula Mae Magee Beckman. In/around 1918, Arthur, Lula, and Minnie moved from Galveston and relocated to Houston 50 miles away. Minnie would live out the last 17 years of her life in the Magnolia City. Then, on August 11, 1935, at 3:00 pm, Minnie passed away at the age of 72 in her residence located at 425 Yale Street, Houston, Texas; the primary cause of death was listed as pneumonia. Minnie's burial took place the following day at Houston's Woodlawn Cemetery. Included with this biography is a photo of Minnie's gravesite marked by a wreath.