Born in York County, Nebraska, January 2, 1875.  One of six children – three sons and three daughters – born to George and Caroline Beck.  Mr. Beck came to Chicago in 1898 and married Magdalene in 1903.  He was an instructor at the Academy Institute and the Chicago Academy of Fine Arts for many years.  He was struck by an automobile early in 1950 and died in June of that year from his injuries.

Sources:
Census records and the Illinois Historical Art Project
Obituary in the Chicago Tribune, June 27, 1950.

A native of Nebraska…Studied at the Chicago Art Institute, then making Chicago his home.  Adopted Advertising art as his vocation…  Was an instructor at the Art Institute and Chicago Academy of Fine Arts…For ten years Mr. Beck has been seriously painting in oil, studying under Frederick Grant, Stark Davis, Leon Lundmark and Jack Spelman…a close observer of nature, versatile, with a keen appreciation of design and clean color in his painting of landscape, still life, marine and portrait…He has exhibited at the Art Institute, the All-Illinois Society of Fine Arts, Chicago Academy, Revell’s Gallery, under the auspices of the All-Illinois Society of Fine Arts (being an early member), the Chisler’s Club and private exhibits…Studio in the Pittsfield Building, Chicago.

Source:
Catalog entry; Century of Progress Exhibition, 1933, Chicago

Submitted by Edward Bentley, researcher from Lansing, Michigan