My Genealogy Hound

BECKETT, ROBERT A., farmer; Sec. 18; P. O. Camp Point; was born in Clark Co. Ind., Jan. 18, 1818; parents were William and Jane Beckett, of Penn. They removed to Kentucky about 1792, and to Indiana in 1802. Mr. B. came to Illinois and settled in Adams Co. in 1835; came to where he now lives forty-one years ago. There were only five houses between there and Quincy, a distance of twenty-five miles; wild deer could be counted by the score from his door; wolves roamed about the premises carrying off fowls and young animals at will. Married Mary Downing, Feb., 27, 1834. She was born in Virginia, March 13, 1813. Twelve children, eight living: Joseph, born Dec. 2, 1834; William, May 2, 1836; Sarah J., Jan. 10, 1838; Harriet, Jan. 24, 1839; James A., (killed at Jonesborough); John S. and Reason D. (twins); Nancy A., Ann M., Robert A., and Cornelius L. William died from the effects of a wound received at the battle of Chickamauga; was shot through the arm and body, the ball passing clear through him, after which he walked six miles and lay twenty-four hours without attention. Robert A., Jr., born July 19, 1849, attended the high schools at Camp Point and Quincy; has taught school for several years. Mr. and Mrs. Beckett’s family, save one, are members of the M. E. church. Own 200 acres of land in Clayton and 100 in Camp Point, mostly improved, worth $40 per acre.