Benjamin A. Beckner. Virginia has for years boasted of being the birthplace of some of our most prominent men and indeed it is no small honor to have given to the world such men as Washington, Jefferson, Adams, Clay and Lee. There is always a satisfaction in associating one’s self, even in a remote way with those who have accomplished so much in making our country one of the grandest that time has ever known. Our subject, Benjamin A. Beckner, who resides on section 14, North Otter Township, is a native of Virginia. His father, John Beckner, was also there born and his mother Elizabeth (Cook) Beckner, was also a native of the old Colonial State. There they were married and settled in Botetourt County, where the father died. The mother followed him not many yeas after, passing away in Roanoke County, same State. The grandparents of our subject were John and Christena Beckner, natives of Virginia and Pennsylvania.
The parents of our subject had ten children, he of whom we write being the eighth. He was born July 22, 1834, in the same county in which his parents were married. Here he remained until he reached manhood, enjoying the educational advantages for which his native State has always been noted. In 1859 he came to Clarke County, Ohio, there living for five years, during which time he worked energetically and amassed a very comfortable little competency. In 1864 he removed to Macoupin County and settled in North Otter township where he has ever since been a resident. He has always been a farmer and has so intelligently conducted his work as to make the most of his chosen calling.
Mr. Beckner settled on his present farm in 1868-69 and here he has since resided. He owns one hundred and sixty acres of land and has thereon erected a number of buildings that supply the demand for storage room for his productions. He, himself, has a comfortable dwelling that is as inviting inside as well as out as taste and refinement can make it. He was married in his native State. His bride, whose maiden name was Magdalene Brubaker, was a native of Virginia. She bore him one child, Elizabeth, and passed away in North Otter Township, in October, 1859. He contracted a second marriage, his being Miss Catherine Brubaker, a sister of his first wife. Their marriage took place in North Otter Township, June, 1865; like her sister, she was a native of Virginia, there born June 7, 1846. Mr. Beckner and his present wife are the parents of eleven children, eight of whom are still living. The latter are Mary, Laura, Susan, Alvia, Ida, Harvey, Asa and Bertha.
Our subject has shown his fitness for public position by efficiently discharging the duties of the office to which he has been elected by the people, of School Director. Mr. and Mrs. Beckner are active members of the German Baptist Church. The father of Mrs. Beckner was Joel Brubaker, who was a native of Virginia. The lady’s mother was Elizabeth (Fisher) Brubaker, a native of Franklin County, Va. They settled at an early day in that State, the father died in Roanoke County, and the mother in Macoupin County, Ill.
Source: Chapman bros. Portrait and biographical record of Macoupin county, Illinois. Chicago: Biographical publishing company, 1891.