The Pensacola journal. (Pensacola, Fla.) 1898-1985, 1908-11-13
ANOTHER OLD LAND
MARK IS REMOVED
Special to The journal.

Roberts, Fla, Nov. 13.-ReV. John
ID. Beck, of Cantonment, Fla, died
suddenly at his residence sometime
during the evening of November 5th,
between the hours of and p. m.
His recent i'll health and advanced
age led his friends to expect such an
event at any time. The Rev Beck
was born in the city of Montgomery,
February 2Sth, 1888. Soon after his
birth, his father moved 20 Florida
and settled at the place where he
died.
Reared by a piouS paren'age. he
at an early age Joined the Missionary
Baptist church and began TO prepare
himself for the ministry. A. six
teen he was licensed to preach, and
in season and out of season for fifty
years he was punctual in his services
Feeling the necessity of a better edu-
cation, he took a thorough course III
one of the Baptist Summaries, and
after graduating taught school five
days in the week and prepared SER
mon on the sixth to be delivered on
the seventh.
At the breaking out of the civil
war he felt it t.lis duty to espouse the
cause of the south and for four years
as soldier and chaplain ne made a
record of honorable service. During
service in the state of Louisiana. he
became acquainted with Miss JENNIE
Aiken, and was shortly afterwards
happily married TO that accomplished
lady, who preceded him to a better
world some four years ago. At the
cessation of hostilities he again ru-
turned, and settled down upon the
old homestead. 1t was here the writer
became acquainted with him, and dur
ing a period of thirty years an init
macy and mutual esteem for each
other threw them frequently together
and furnished ample opportunity for
the writer to make a just estimate of
his character, and he hereby takes
pleasure in testifying TO his Christian
integrity and moral worth as a CHI
zen!
The Rev. Beck, while modest and
unassuming, was scholar of no little
attainment. He was a clo5e student
and added daily to his stock of in
formation by systematic application
to the studies of physics as well as
metaphysics.
He was a typical gentleman of the
old South. Stranger as well as friend
had free access to his hospitality, and
no man refused, because of lack Of
social rank, charitable relief.
Game and fish aboundeJ within the
limits of the old homestead. The
famous Beck'S lake was almost at his
threshold Disciples of NimrOd and
Isaac Walton made his home a gen
eraI rendezvous for their sports. A
formidable feet of boats, launches
and batteaus were anchored at the
landing and their use was free to all.
His devices for catching fish embrac-
ed every variety of fishing tackle.
from sturgeon net TO the fly hook
for minnows. His stock of guns con-
tanned every species of size and cali
bre. knowing as ne did the haunTS
and habits of the denizens of wood
and stream, his companionship was
eagerly sought by the lovers of these
sports.
His ministry embraced those places
where the poor and needy called for
help. The Indians were tne especial
beneficiaries of his labors, and his
name with them was d synonym for
love and respect.
These are but few outlines of this
worthy man. He was laid at rest il
the family burying ground on Satur-
day, the 7th of November, to await
the general resurrection.
The deceased leaves behind him
to mourn his death two sons, Theo-
dore B. and Eugene Beck. Also three
sisters, Mrs. l.. A. Beck, Mrs. s. T.
Smith, and Mrs. w s. Hall, all of
whom are now residents of San An
tonic, Texas
A large crowd of friends attended
the funeral services conducted by the
writer. and the many floral offerings
from Pensacola and vicinity were ev
idences of esteem for this Christian
man,
Peace to his ashesi