A. H. Beck

                                                     [Also covers H. Beck.]
                                    Ninnescah Township and Winfield, Kansas.
Winfield 1880.
A. H. Beck, 37; spouse, H. B., 36.
Winfield Directory 1880.
BECK & DILLON, photographers, 10th av., s. s., bet. Main and Manning.
Beck, H., photographer, r. Menor, e. s., bet. Blanden and Court House; will move to
Court House, s. e. cor. Mansfield.
BECK & DILLON—Photographers.
This firm consists of H. Beck, A. H. Beck, and G. W. Dillon, and their gallery is located on 10th avenue, between Main and Manning streets.
Mr. A. H. Beck is an old resident of Cowley County, and well known to everybody. Mr. H. Beck has also been in the county for several years. Mr. G. W. Dillon, though but a year and a half in our city, is already well known and has had an experience of twenty years as a photographer.
They are all gentlemen of ability in their profession, as can readily be seen by a glance at their work in their gallery, and spare no pains in endeavoring to please their patrons.
Winfield Directory 1885.
Beck H, photographer, 111 w 10th, res 311 w Riverside.
                                               FROM THE NEWSPAPERS.
[REPUBLICAN COUNTY CONVENTION.]
Winfield Messenger, August 30, 1872.
The Convention held at Winfield, Wednesday, August 20, for the purpose of nominating county officers, etc., was organized by electing J. B. Parmelee temporary Chairman, and J. P. Short temporary Secretary. A committee of one delegate from each Township was appointed on credentials; during their absence the Convention call was read by the secretary, and speeches were made by the different candidates notable among which was that of Capt. McDermott. Committee on credentials reported the names of sixty-six delegates entitled to vote, and at being present, or repre­sented by proxy. Report received and committee discharged. J. B. Parmelee was then unanimously elected permanent President of the Convention and J. P. Short was elected permanent Secretary. On motion L. J. Webb was elected Assistant Secretary.
A committee of three on resolutions was appointed consisting of the following named delegates: P. G. SMITH, Dexter, Chairman; C. A. EATON, Windsor, Chairman; S. W. GREER, Winfield, Chairman. On motion it was ordered that the nomination be made as in the published call.
On motion the Convention proceeded to an informal ballot for Representative, with the following result.
JAMES McDERMOTT, 32; M. M. JEWETT, 16; S. M. BALL, 10; A. H. BECK, 4; J. B. BROWN, 3; J. B. FAIRBANK, 1. On motion the nomination of Mr. McDermott was made unanimous.
[COWLEY COUNTY GRANGE.]


Winfield Courier, February 13, 1874.
Pursuant to a call of Deputy J. H. Werden, the delegates from the different subordinate granges throughout the county met at the Courtroom in Winfield. The meeting being called to order by the worthy Deputy, proceeded to temporary organization by electing brother A. S. Williams temporary Chairman, and N. C. McCulloch Secretary pro tem. Whereupon the Master appointed the following committees.
Philomathian grange: H. H. Martin, A. H. Beck, John Boyd.
Winfield Courier, December 24, 1874.
The Philomathian grange, No. 886, P. of H., Cowley County, Kansas, met in their lodge room December the 18th, 1874, and elected their officers for the ensuing year, as follows: Brother P. W. Smith, Master; E. R. Moffett, Overseer; Sister L. M. Capper, Lecturer; Brother Phil Stout, Steward; J. B. Williams, Asst. Steward; G. W. Bruce, Chaplain; J. N. Adams, Treasurer; A. H. Beck, Secretary; W. C. Hayden, Gate keeper; Sister S. E. Smith, Ceres; M. Adams, Flora; M. M. Beck, Pomona; Jane Moffett, Lady Asst. Steward.
A. H. BECK, Secretary.
Winfield Courier, May 27, 1875.
Mrs. S. D. Gans, living up in Ninnescah Township, surprised the family of A. H. Beck, last Thursday morning, by firing eleven shots in quick succession at his well curb. She lives just across the road and selecting this as a target, just for fun, you know, emptied two revolvers at it. Some of the balls glanc­ing went whizzing over Mr. Beck’s head, who was at work nearby, but being an old soldier he considered it a good joke and told her to keep it up. Mrs. Beck, however, after a ball passed through the pantry where she was standing, concluded that there wasn’t any fun in such proceedings, so she went into hysterics, the place where nervous ladies go under such circumstances, and at last accounts she had not recovered. People have got to die some way and as long as children and careless people are permit­ted to use deadly weapons, we may expect obituary notices to emanate from such causes.
[REPUBLICAN COUNTY CONVENTION.]
Winfield Courier, September 21, 1876. Editorial Page.
Pursuant to call of the County Central Committee, the delegates to the county convention met in the courthouse, in Winfield, on Saturday, Sept. 16th, at 11 o’clock a.m., and organized by electing Capt. J. S. Hunt temporary chairman and C. H. Eagin temporary secretary.
On motion the convention adjourned to meet at 2 o’clock p.m.
2 p.m.; convention called to order; Capt. Hunt in the chair.
The committee on credentials being called submitted the following report: Your committee on credentials find that the following named gentlemen were duly elected as delegates to this convention, and all are entitled to seats therein.
Ninnescah: Wm. Bartlow, A. H. Beck.
Winfield Courier, September 21, 1876.
Ninnescah went solid for Webb. That old wheeler, Wm. Bartlow, and A. H. Beck did the voting.
[PROCEEDINGS OF REPUBLICAN CONVENTION.]
Winfield Courier, September 28, 1876.


Pursuant to a call of the committee of the 88th Representa­tive District, the delegates to the representative convention met in the courthouse at Winfield on Saturday, September 16th, at 10 o’clock a.m. Capt. J. S. Hunt, of Winfield Township, was elected temporary chairman, and Chas. H. Eagin, of Rock Township, temporary secretary.
On motion a committee of five on credentials was appointed: C. H. Eagin, G. L. Walker, S. S. Moore, H. H. Siverd, and F. M. Small were the members.
The committee on credentials reported the following dele­gates entitled to seats in the convention.
Nennescah Township: Wm. Bartlow, A. H. Beck.
[COWLEY COUNTY DISTRICT COURT.]
Winfield Courier, April 11, 1878.
Mr. E. S. Bedilion, District Clerk, furnishes us with the following list of cases which will probably be for trial at the next term of the District Court commencing on Monday, May 6th, 1878.
CIVIL DOCKET: S. L. Brettun v. A. H. Beck.
[COWLEY COUNTY DISTRICT COURT.]
Winfield Courier, May 9, 1878.
The docket was called. The following case was dismissed: S. L. Brettun vs. Adam H. Beck.
[NINNESCAH TOWNSHIP CORRESPONDENT: “WIDE AWAKE.”]
Winfield Courier, September 19, 1878.
We are informed that A. H. Beck, a former resident of this township, but now of Crestline, Ohio, is in the excursion business and expects to leave that place with a party for Kinsley on the 17th inst. He expects to bring quite a number of the excursionists to Cowley, and probably move his family out at the same time.
Winfield Courier, January 30, 1879.
Mr. A. H. Beck is about to build a photograph gallery in this city, and will also run a real estate office. Mr. Beck is a wide-awake gentleman and we predict his success.
Winfield Courier, April 10, 1879.
A. H. Beck has built a photograph gallery back of Bahntge’s building, and will open out in a few days.
Winfield Courier, May 8, 1879.
Mr. A. H. Beck has associated with him in the photography business Mr. Dillon, and the firm will hereafter be Beck & Dillon. Mr. Dillon is an artist of long experience and knows his business thoroughly.
Winfield Courier, June 26, 1879.
Beck & Dillon are making some very fine stereoscopic views of Winfield and surroundings. The views are as good as any we have seen, and speak well for the work of this firm.
[NINNESCAH TOWNSHIP CORRESPONDENT: “WIDE-AWAKE.”]
Winfield Courier, July 3, 1879.
Arlow Spangler has purchased a heavy team of horses from H. Beck and expects to go to farming on his own land.


H. Beck removes to Winfield in a few days when he can be found at Beck & Dillon’s art gallery.
[AD: BECK & DILLON’S ART GALLERY.]
Winfield Courier, April 8, 1880.
DRAFT OF VETERANS! All citizens of Cowley County over the age of forty-five (45) years, both male and female, are hereby notified that they are drafted, and that they are respectfully requested to report at Beck & Dillon’s Art Gallery on Tenth Avenue, opposite the Williams House, Winfield, Ks., as soon as convenient after March 22d, and receive a first-class photograph of themselves, free of charge. There is no humbug about this, so don’t fail to come. Cloudy weather no objection. Time limited to 60 days. BECK & DILLON.
Winfield Courier, June 24, 1880.
H. Beck, the photographer, has an addition to his family. They are little girls, twins.
Winfield Courier, January 27, 1881.
A. H. Beck, of Winfield, Kansas, is in the city for the purpose of starting a pottery on Mr. Evans’ ground across the railroad track. He has thoroughly tested the clay and pronounced it first-class. Las Vegas Optic.
Winfield Courier, August 25, 1881.
A. H. Beck has returned from his summer tour in Mexico. He brought many specimens of the products of the country and left at this office a most beautiful and curious cactus melocactus or the great melon thistle, or Turk’s cap. It appears like a green cantaloupe, with deep ribs, set all over with sharp thorns in starry spangles. It has on the top a discoid, villous cap, like the cap of a pepper box, from the top of which was a large central blossom and around which are buds which will soon blossom out in a circle. At the bottom it has a root like the root of an English turnip. Though this root has been out of the ground and away from moisture several days, yet when presented to us, it was in bloom. It is about the size of an ordinary cantaloupe, but this species sometimes grows to the diameter of three or four feet.
Cowley County Courant, November 17, 1881.
BECK’S PICTURE GALLERY. Gallery on 10th avenue, south of Spotswood’s grocery, Winfield, Kansas.
Winfield Courier, December 15, 1881.
First class Stereoscopic views of the prominent public buildings, private residences, and streets of Winfield. Also a fine variety of Indian pictures at Beck’s Gallery.
Winfield Courier, January 5, 1882.
Stereoscopic views of Winfield at Beck’s Gallery.
Winfield Courier, September 14, 1882.
Mr. Dillon, formerly of the firm of Beck & Dillon, photographers, was down from Wichita this week. He is now running a photograph gallery at that place.
Note changes in photography gallery: Beck & Dillon, Beck’s Gallery, and now Beck Bros.
Winfield Courier, April 5, 1883.


Beck Bros.’ price list for view work of stereoscopic pictures. On order $2.00 per dozen, also all other sizes of larger work. 4 x 4 pictures for 6½ x 8½ frames, $5.00 per dozen. 8 x 10, $6.00 per dozen, 10 x 11, $7.00 per dozen. 11 x 14, $8.00, 12 x 14, $9.00 per dozen. We are fully prepared to do all kind of viewing in first class style and guarantee first class work.
Winfield, Courier, April 19, 1883.
Mr. Beck, the photographer, has been making some excellent stereoscopic views of churches, prominent buildings, and scenes around Winfield, and is keeping them on sale at his gallery. They are very fine.
Winfield Courier, April 19, 1883.
Information Wanted. Any person knowing the address of John Lightner or can give any information as to his whereabouts will be gladly received. Leave word at this office or with A. H. Beck, Winfield, Kansas.
Winfield Courier, April 19, 1883.
Beck Bros. price list for view work of stereoscopic pictures. On order $2.00 per dozen, also all other sizes of larger work, etc.
Excerpt from a very lengthy article...
[COWLEY COUNTY FAIR AND DRIVING PARK ASSOCIATION.]
Winfield Courier, September 27, 1883.
Next to this is the Fine Art department, conducted by Miss Kate Millington, the most prominent among which are specimens of photography from the galleries of Winfield’s artists, Messrs. Rodocker, McIntire, and Beck Bros., and a finer display we challenge the state to produce.
[COWLEY COUNTY FAIR.]
Winfield Courier, October 4, 1883.
CLASS L. FINE ARTS.
Best collection of oil paintings, Mrs. G. W. Miller, city, 1st premium; Mrs. Garlick, city, 2nd.
Best collection of photographs, D. Rodocker, city, 1st premium.
Photographic scenery, H. Beck, city, 1st premium.
Winfield Courier, April 24, 1884.
A Novel Entertainment. The gentlemen of the Presbyterian congregation will give a “Leap-year Basket social” in lecture room of the church, on Friday evening, April 25th. A good time is anticipated, and all are invited.
Committee in charge of Baskets: Messrs. S. A. Cook and H. Beck.
Winfield Courier, Thursday, February 5, 1885.
Mr. H. Beck, the photographer, leaves today for Galion, Ohio, to visit his father, who is in poor health and quite aged.
Winfield Courier, Thursday, March 5, 1885.
H. Beck, the photographer, has returned from a month in the frigid atmosphere of his old Ohio home.
Winfield Courier, Thursday, July 9, 1885.


The Senior editor and his wife had a most delightful fourth of July celebration at the residence of J. W. Millspaugh, in Vernon township. Mr. and Mrs. Millspaugh are old residents of this county, having been among the early settlers. They came here with a large family and have been prominent factors in the history and development of this county. They have a magnificent farm, built up from the undisturbed and treeless prairie of fourteen years ago, now covered with waving grain, luxuriant corn, and meadows and pastures of cultivated grasses, all interspersed with groves of maple, cottonwood, and other deciduous and fruit trees and a magnificent orchard with hundreds of trees now loaded down with apples, peaches, and other fruits in great variety. The lawn around the residence is beautified with flowers of various kinds and interspersed with beautiful shade trees. The barns and outhouses are in good condition, the stock are of the improved varieties, and are now supplied with plenty of the best grasses, shade, and cool, clear, fresh water pumped from the depths by a magnificent windmill. In winter they are well sheltered and appearances show that they are not unacquainted with corn.
On the 4th a long table was set in a beautiful grove near the house. The table was loaded with all the substantials and delicacies of the season, a true index of the abundance surrounding that rural home and the taste and culture of its inmates. It was the occasion of a family reunion, of daughters, sons, step-sons, and grandchildren, to the number of twenty-five. Mr. I. N. Ripley, of Burlington, Iowa, was, we believe, the only one of the family absent, for Mrs. Ripley was present as were Mr. and Mrs. Robert Highman, of Attica, Kansas; Dr. and Mrs. Bull, of Winfield; Mr. and Mrs. E. S. Bliss, of Winfield; Mr. Union Millspaugh and Mr. Frank Millspaugh, of Attica, and we hardly know how many other children and grandchildren; but we observed that the grandchildren were numerous, bright, and interesting; all good looking and some of marked beauty. It was a joyous occasion and everyone was in the happiest and liveliest mood. Mr. H. Beck was out there taking some pictures of groups in sundry positions, and before we left Mr. and Mrs. S. G. Gary, of Winfield, arrived and joined in the social pleasures of the day.
Long may our honored host and hostess live to enjoy their happy home and the love and devotion of these two generations of their descendants, and the next, which will be about in due time.
Winfield Courier, Thursday, February 25, 1886.
O. P. Beck, younger brother of H. Beck, the 10th avenue photographer, is here from Galion, Illinois, for a short visit.
Winfield Courier, Thursday, April 15, 1886.
The National Woman’s Christian Temperance Union specified Sunday, April 11th, as a day for meetings all over America in honor of that great temperance advocate who laid down his early armor March 18th. The Winfield Union, with its usual zeal and enterprise, was of course to the front and arranged for exercises at the Courthouse Sunday evening. The room was nicely decorated with a background of the stars and stripes, inscribed thereon, “Prohibition,” the Union’s motto, “For God, For Home, and Native Land,” with an appropriate likeness of Gough in the center of a banner bearing, “Young men, make your record clean; Our Leader, John B. Gough.” The floral decoration was also good.


The audience was large—too large for the rooms, a large number being unable to get in. The Opera House would have been none too large. The president, Mrs. C. H. Greer, presided, while fifteen members of the Union, Mrs. E. D. Garlick, Mrs. J. C. McMullen, Mrs. E. M. Albright, Mrs. J. W. Curns, Mrs. H. Beck, Mrs. Flo Williams, Mrs. S. J. Hepler, Mrs. C. Strong, Mrs. Ed. P. Greer, Mrs. Dr. Elder, Mrs. M. L. Gates, Misses Mary Bryant, Ella Kelly, Emma Strong, and Fannie Stretch occupied seats together and gave responsive readings relative to the life of Gough, a very thorough synopsis of the history and work of this great temperance orator. A male quartette, Messrs. Dr. Gay, J. S. R. Bates, C. I. Forsyth, and Joe Holiday, with Miss Pearl Van Doren at the instrument, gave beautiful and appropriate music.
Rev. S. R. Reese delivered the address of the evening. It was clear cut and finely founded, taking up the life of the man, the meeting was held to commemorate. The speaker took him from youth to the grave, drawing practical lessons. Gough was a learned man only in nature. He had no polish and was not a broad thinker. On the rostrum he violated every established rule of rhetoric, logic, and gesture. But he had his heart in the cause; it was the great theme of his life. He was an inimitable personator, often taking a dozen characters in a single lecture. His magnetism, zeal, and eloquence drowned all imperfection in manner—he was John B. Gough and nobody else. He had been to the lowest depths of human degradation and as he held the mirror up to his vast audiences, in dramatic and enticing though rough manner, he wielded his audience with a sovereign scepter. If he wanted his hearers to cry, they cried; if he wanted them to laugh, they laughed; if he wanted to thrill them, the dramatic effect was wonderful. He was nature’s orator, nature’s noble man. He drew all his inspiration, all his eloquence, all his influence, all his greatness from nature itself. With natural gifts of speech, human instinct, and enticing oratory—oratory which in men less magnetic and earnest would have possibly been mediocre, but which to his hearers was grand, he did a work that no other living man could have done. The speaker cited the fact that dozens in his audience were more brainy than Gough was, but they couldn’t make a ripple on such a sea as he fathomed. He bent all his energies to one grand purpose. It was ground in his being and the good he wrought will go down and down and down the ages as the greatest spark in one of the greatest reforms the world ever knew. Having been in the gutter, writhing in delirium, Gough raised to the apex of reformatory grandeur. His natural gifts and great work will be extolled to the end of time. Here Mr. Reese showed up the weighty mantle Gough had let fall on others who must carry on the work in which he died. All must be up and doing, reverses may come, the ground may possibly have to all be fought over. The cause is now going onward, especially here in Glorious Kansas, but the armor must be constantly girded on. The language and arrangement of the lecture were very thorough and showed deep thought. Mrs. Flo. Williams, during the evening read a selection from Gough, “What is a Minority?” and Mrs. Greer made remarks of local application. The W. C. T. U. scored a fine success in its meeting last night—one in harmony with the enterprise of the ladies of the Union and of Winfield.
1891.
Winfield Monthly Herald, June, 1891.
A Word about our Advertisers.
We have selected good, reliable business firms, and endeav­ored to get only one of a kind.
H. BECK, the Photographer, is satisfied to do good, honest work six days in the week, and attend church on the Sabbath, and thereby has gained many friends, and his business is prosperous.
Winfield Monthly Herald, August, 1891.
Mr. Beck, the popular Photographer of Winfield, photographed the Floral display at the Baptist Church at Albert Chaney’s funeral.