Claude W. Beck

Job Title(s)

Finisher

Dates of Employment

c. 1914-1917

Last Name  Beck 
First Name  Claude 
Middle Name  Walter 
Born  24 May 1893 in Springdale, Washington 
Home Addresses  292 N 20th   

339 S 25th  

1986 Chemeketa 

2031 Center 
Died  21 Feb 1971 in Portland, Oregon 
Place Buried  Lincoln Memorial Park, Portland, Oregon 
Spouse  Clara Francis Miller Beck    
Date of Marriage  14 Jun 1922 in Clarke County, Washington 
Children  Barbara A Beck Reinertsen 

Larry L Beck  
Dates of Employment  1914-1917 
Job(s)  Finisher 
Story  Claude Beck worked for TKWM as a finisher from 1914 to 1917.  

Claude Walter Back was born on 24 May 1893 in Springdale, Washington to Newton “Jasper” and Flora Lutecia Glover Beck. Father Jasper was a farmer who moved his family often. In 1900, the family farmed in Jackson County, Oregon but by 1910, they had returned to Washington. By 1911, Claude, his father and brother Earl had moved to Salem, Oregon for work. The rest of the family joined them by 1913.   

Claude found work as a laborer, then finisher at the Thomas Kay Woolen Mill. He lived with his family at 292 N. 20th St. He remained in Salem until 1917. That same year, he enlisted in the Oregon National Guard and served during World War I in France, where he guarded enemy prisoners for 15 months.  

Following his service, Claude pursued a career in civil engineering, beginning with a surveying company in Portland. On 17 June 1922, he married Clara Francis Miller, and together they had two children: Barbara A. (born 1923) and Larry L. (born 1925). By 1930, Claude worked for Union Pacific Railroad, and the family reside at 1767 Division St. in Portland.  

After 11 years with Union Pacific Railroad, Claude joined the Army Corps of Engineers, contributing to various projects, including a dam near Breitenbush, Oregon. He retired in 1957, at age 64. Claude died on 21 Feb 1971 at age 77, with his last residence listed in Lake Oswego, Oregon. Clara, who survived him, died in 1987, and both are buried in Lincoln Memorial Park in Portland. 
   
 
Census   1900  Claude Beck. Age: 7. Birth: May 1893 in Washington. Single son of HOH. Residence: Mound, Jackson, Oregon.  Father born in Missouri. Mother born in Oregon. Household members: Jasper N. Beck, age 43, HOH, farmer; Flora Beck, age 28, wife; Earl Beck, age 8, son; Claude Beck age 9, son; Myrtle Beck, age 3, daughter; Nellie G. Beck, age 15, adopted sister.    

1910  Claude W. Beck. Age: 16. Birth: abt 1894 in Washington. Son of HOH. Residence: State Road No. 15, Lancaster, Cowlitz, Washington. Father born in Nebraska. Mother born in Oregon. Occupation: Farmer, helps on farm. Father is a farmer. Household members: Newton J, Beck, age 49, HOH; Flora L. Beck, age 38 wife; Earl G. Beck, age 18, son; Claude W. Beck, age 16, son; Myrtle O. Beck, age 13, daughter; Della N. Beck, age 9, daughter; Susie Beck, age 6, daughter; Paul J. Beck, age 4, son.  

1920  Claude W. Beck. Age: 26. Birth: abt 1894 in Washington. Single son of HOH. Residence: Engine St., Portland, Multnomah, Oregon. Occupation: Fireman in Fire Department. Household members: Jasper N. Beck, age 59, HOH; Flora Beck, age 48, wife; Claude W. Beck, age 26, son; Myrtle O. Beck, age 23, daughter; Della M. Beck, age 19, daughter; Susie J. Beck, age 15, daughter; Paul J. Beck, age 14, son.  

1930  Claude W. Beck. Age: 36. Birth: abt 1894 in Washington. Married HOH. Residence: Owns home at 1767 Division St, Portland, Multnomah, Oregon. Owns radio. Age at first marriage: 28. Father and Mother born in US. Occupation: Civil Engineer. WW1 veteran. Household members: Claude W. Beck, age 36, HOH; Clara F. Beck, age 32, wife; Barbara A. Beck, age 7, daughter; Larry L. Beck, age 5, son.   

1940  Claude W. Beck. Age: 46. Birth: abt 1894 in Washington. Married HOH. Residence: Owns home at 6835 Division St. Portland, Multnomah, Oregon. Highest grade completed, 8th grade. Occupation: Civil Engineer. Class of worker: Government Work. Household members: Claude W. Beck, age 46, HOH; Clara F. Beck, age 42, wife; Barbara Beck, age 16, daughter; Larry Beck, age 15 (son).  

1950  Claude Beck. Age: 56. Birth: abt 1894 in Washington. Married HOH. Residence: 301 Mongold Village, Breitenbush, Marion, Oregon. Occupation: Chief Operations, Dam Construction. Household members: Claude Beck, age 56, HOH; Clara Beck, age 52, wife; Larry Beck, age 25, son. 
City Directories   1911  Claude Beck, laborer, bds 339 S 25th 

1913  Claude W Beck, boards 1986 Chemeketa 

1915  Claude W Beck, finisher, TKWM, rms 292 N 20th 

1917  Claude W Beck, rms 2031 Center 

Portland

1921  Claude W Beck, chainman, r 311 Eugene.  

1923  Claude W Beck, rodman, O-WR&N Co, r 311 Eugene 

1929  Claude W Beck (Clara), inspector UPSystem h 146 E 22nd.   
Find-a-Grave  Claude W. Beck  Birth: 24 May 1893 in Springdale, Stevens County, Washington. Death: 21 Feb 1971 in Portland, Multnomah, Oregon. Burial: Lincoln Memorial Park, Portland, Multnomah County, Oregon.  Memorial ID: 109656729.  

Clara Frances Miller Beck  Birth: 16 Feb 1898 in Pacific City, Tillamook County, Oregon. Death: 22 Feb 1987 (aged 89) in Portland, Multnomah County, Oregon. Burial:  Lincoln Memorial Park, Portland, Multnomah County, Oregon. Memorial ID: 109657178.   
Newspapers   Capital Journal 9 Apr 1917, p. 7 – Company M, Third Oregon Infantry is at full 150-man strength with the addition of, among others, Claude W. Beck.  

Capital Journal 12 Dec 1921, p. 5 – M Company Vets Banquet members attending included George E. Beck and Claude W. Beck.    

The Oregonian 24 Feb 1971,  p. 20 – Claude W Beck obit. Died on 21 Feb 1971 at age 71.  B 24 May 1893 in Springdale, WA.  Served overseas with the Army in WW1. With Union Pacific for 11 years before joining the US Army Corps of Engineers before he retired in 1957.   Survivors include wife Clara F, son Larry L Beck of Eugene, Dau Mrs. Barbara Reinertson of Lake Oswego and three sisters Mrs. Myrtle Miller, Mrs. Della Cox, and Mrs. Jean Barnes.  Three grandchildren.  Lincoln Memorial Park.   
Public Records   Oregon Military Records.  (Report submitted to State Historian by Flora L Beck of 532 Williams Ave, Portland, OR on 6 Apr 1919.)  Claude Walter Beck, foreign born.  Home in Salem, OR.  Present address 532 Williams, Portland, OR.  B in Spokane, WA on 24 May 1894.  Father Newton J Beck b 1860 in MO.  M Flora L Beck b 1873 in Eagle Creek, OR.  Former residence Salem, OR.  Schools attended Portland 1904, Finished HS in Woodland, WA.  Occupation before was Bookkeeper.  Enlisted in 41st Division, Oregon National Guard.  Activated for 15 months in Salem on 9 Apr 1917.  Corporal 15 Nov 1917, Sgt 1 Oct 1918.  Guard, Army Service Corps.  Training at Camp Mills, NY.  Guarded German prisoners in France.   

Clark County Marriage Affidavit.  Claude Walter Beck, 29, married Clara Miller 24 on 14 Jun 1922 in Clarke County, WA.  Both res of Portland, OR.    

Oregon Birth Certificate (entered 1940)  Earl Glover Beck born 1 Mar 1892 to farmer Jasper Newton Beck 31 b in NE and Flora Luticia Glover 20 b in OR.  Order given 29 Jul 1940 in Multnomah County, OR.   

1971 Claude Walter Beck OR death certificate.  Died 21 Feb 1971 at age 77 on Portland, OR.  Married to Clara F Beck.  Usual occupation, Corps of Engineers.  Last Address 495 G Av, Lake Oswego, OR.  Father Newton Beck.  Died of congestive heart failure.   
WHC Materials  M3 1966-001     Mill Records