William Beckman was born in the Province of Hanover, Germany. His parents immigrated to America in 1847. Upon the night of landing at Erie, Pennsylvania, his father accidentally stepped off of the wharf into the lake and was drowned, thus leaving his wife and four children, of whom the eldest was only nine years old, in a strange land and among strangers. One child, the youngest, died on the voyage to America. Homes were procured for two of the boys, William being the strongest, remained with his mother until he was 21 years of age. February 24, 1862, he enlisted in the 191st regiment of the Pennsylvania Volunteers which became a part of the army of the Potomac. He served three years during which time he was engaged in the following battles: Seven-Days Battle, Battle of Antietam, Second Battle of Bull Run, Gettysburg, and Battle of the Wilderness, Cold Harbor and Petersburg. At the close of the war he returned to his home in Franklin, Pa, where he worked in the Oil Works for two years. On Feb. 14, 1867, he married Rebecca E. Stoughton. To this union there were born 8 children, all of whom survive him except the oldest who died in infancy. In the year 1868, William and Rebecca immigrated to Illinois, locating in Arcola. In 1879, they moved to what was then known as the DeHart neighborhood and there resided until 1899 when the family moved to Arthur. He and his wife were converted and united with the M.E. church, in 1871, which was then worshipping in the school house near their home. As a husband, Mr. Beckman was kind and true, as a father he was intensely interested in the welfare of his children and endeavored to give such a good start in life; as a soldier, he was ever true, brave and loyal to his country; as a citizen, he was active in promoting the interests of the community and was loved and respected by all who knew him.
Funeral services were conducted from his home; the local G.A.R. Post had charge of the services. Interment was at Arthur cemetery.
Among the friends and relatives present at the funeral: W.R. Stoughton, Pittsburg, Pa; Mr. and Mrs. Ralph Knox, Danville, Illinois; Sam West and wife, Atwood; Jas Reeder and Henry Helton, Garrett; Asberry Heacock, Sullivan; Newton Heacock, Galton; the Colleskey's, Mr. Craig and W.H. Beckman, Chicago; F.L. Reeder and family, Wheatley, Arkansas. Mr. Beckman's obituary appeared in the local Arthur newspaper on June 19, 1903.