Alexander Beckman

    Alexander Beckman, of Lawrenceburgh, junior member of the firm of George Beckenholdt & Co., coal dealers, is a native of Germany, born in 1825. His father died in Germany, and in 1832, Mr. Beckman with his mother immigrated to America, landing at Baltimore, from which point they came by wagon over the Alleghany Mountains to Cincinnati, which city they reached June 10, of the above year. He resided in Cincinnati (in "the bloody Fourth Ward"), till 1848, in which year he came to Lawrenceburgh. In this latter city, for about thirty years he acted as proprietor of the wharf-boat, and also did a flat-boating business during that time. In 1880 he engaged in the coal business and has since been thus employed. In June, 1862, he organized Company E., Sixteenth Indiana, and was commissioned captain of the same. He did active duty in the field till December, 1863, when he resigned his commission, having been captured by Gen. Bragg, at the battle of Mumfordsville. Mr. Beckman was one of the prime movers in the Miami Valley furniture enterprise and has always taken an active interest in the welfare of the city. He served eight years as township trustee.

    He was married, November 28, 1847, to Catharine M. Berte, and they have eight children living: William H., George W., Alice E., Emma, Jeannette, Maggie, Myron H. and Laura.

Source: History of Dearborn and Ohio Counties, Indiana by F.E. Weakley & Co., 1885.