Beck, Lemon Lehman (1854-1950)

Mennonite Weekly Review obituary: 1950 Mar 9 p. 6

Birth date: 1854 Jul 30

text of obituary:

LEMON LEHMAN BECK

Lemon Lehman Beck, son of David and Sarah (Lehman) Beck, was born July 30, 1854, at Manheim, Lancaster county, Pa.; died Feb, 18, 1950, at his home near Peabody, Kansas, aged 95 years, six months and 19 days.

On Sept. 10, 1878, he was united in marriage to Kate Graybill, daughter of Deacon John G. Graybill of the Cross Roads church, Richfield, Snyder county, Pa. by Rev. W. T. Gerhard, a Lutheran minister. This union was blessed with six children, all of whom survive: Rev. Harris C. of Mason City, Ill., temporarily of Glendale, Calif., Howard G. of Kearney, Nebr., Anna (Horst) of Peabody, Edna (Selzer) of Canton, Kansas, Thad S. of Hesston, Kansas, and J. Lester of Peabody. Also surviving are 22 grandchildren and 30 great grandchildren. They celebrated their golden wedding anniversary in 1938 with all the then living children and grandchildren present except one grandson.

He had one brother, Thaddeus S. Beck, a deacon in the Brethren church at Manheim Pa., and one sister, Sophia (Mrs. Harry Gish) of Fayettville [sic Fayetteville], Pa., both of whom preceded him in death. He was also preceded by his parents, one daughter in-law, two sons-in-law, three grandchildren, two great grandchildren, and his companion, who passed away Jan. 28, 1936.

His school days were spent in the Jacob Bloucher school near Manheim. His father and grandfather Beck were members of the Lutheran church at White Oak, Pa., and his mother and her parents, Deacon Samuel Lehmans, were members of Hernley Mennonite church, both near Manheim.

As a young man he learned milling from his uncle Abram Beck, who operated the Daniel Lehman mill near Chambersburg. After marriage he operated a mill on the Conestoga river, near Lancaster city, for several years and then operated the D. B. Landis mill on the Lampeter road on Mill Creek for about four years.

While living at the Landis Mill, Bro. Beck and his companion yielded to conviction and the call of Christ and united with the Mellinger Mennonite church near Lancaster, being baptized by Bishop Isaac Eby.

In the spring of 1884, he was a member of a group of 33 who chartered a railroad car from Mount Joy, Pa., and came to Kansas on an inspection tour. At that time he bought a farm north of Peabody. In March of 1885, Bro. and Sister Beck and their three older children moved to this farm, which has been his home continuously. They were pioneer members of the Catlin Mennonite church. Bro. Beck helped to build the church building in the fall of 1886 and helped in the 50th anniversary program on Nov. 22, 1936.

When Deacon E. C. Weavers moved away, Bro. Beck was called to the office of deacon for the Catlin congregation. He was chosen by lot and was ordained by Bishop Benjamin Hamilton on May 6, 1895. He served the church faithfully and conscientiously for about 55 years.

During these years among those whom he has had the joy of assisting to receive as members of this church have been five of his children, eight grandchildren and two great grandsons. He was also happy to see two of his grandsons ordained to the ministry in this church. His oldest son, Harris, was ordained to the Christian ministry in the Methodist Church, where he has served over forty years.

Bro. Beck had a deep concern and interest in the Church as a whole as well as in the home congregation. This broad interest in the great things of God contributed to an humble life. About two years ago when asked to write a story of his life for a church historian, he said, "there's nothing to write.” However, some research revealed that he has given many years of service in various capacities, among which are S. S. superintendent, S. S. teacher, church janitor, moderator of quarterly S. S. conference, Mission Board member, and treasurer of the Board of Trustees of the Catlin church, president of the Mission Board of the Kansas-Nebraska Conference district, various conference committees, and as a member of the Mennonite Board of Missions and Charities.

He was one of whom it could be said “He that is faithful in that which is least is faithful also in much." Luke 16:10. He was a devoted husband and a good father and grandfather, always interested in the spiritual and temporal welfare of his family and of his associates. He also took a deep interest in world missions and relief work.

Outstanding characteristics were humility, faithfulness, dependability, hospitality, industry, punctualness, and earnest zeal in Christian living.

Bro. Beck’s health began to fail several years ago, following an eye operation. He had been unable to read for over a year. It was a great sorrow to him when he could no longer read his Bible.

For many months he had a great longing to go to his heavenly home. His faith and eternal hope grew brighter as his sight and hearing were more and more affected. He anticipated death as one seeks his couch after the strain of a busy day. He died as he had lived, with the settled peace of God.

“Precious in the sight of the Lord is the death of His saints."