Born 25 Aug 1785 in Rowan Co NC.  Son of Johann George Beck and Elizabeth Ann Claver.  Married Anna "Annie" Roger in Washington Co IN in 1814.  His family moved to IN when he was a boy.  He served in the Indiana Militia in the War of 1812, thus his nickname "Captain" Beck.

   By profession John was a mechanic, but he owned a grist mill in Indiana and it is speculated he had the same ambitions when he decided to come to Texas because he acquired land on the Trinity River here and brought a huge grist stone all the way from Indiana to Texas in an ox cart.  However, he found the river here untamable and turned to farming instead.

   He came to Texas in 1845, settling in what is known as the College Mound area of Kaufman County.  At the time he arrived it was Henderson County and he is listed on the 1846 Henderson Co. Tax Rolls.  (Kaufman County was created from Henderson County in 1848.)

   The first Methodist-Episcopalian services of the organized College Mound Church were held in the home of John Beck in 1846.  He was a slave-owner according to the 1850 census.

   John served as the first Postmaster of College Mound from 1850-1856.  John died 06 Jul 1858 & is buried beside Annie in the College Mound Cemetery which is behind the College Mound Church.

For a list of the Children of John J Beck & Annie Rogers Beck, see her page.