GREEN B. BECKHAM, an honored veteran of the late war, is classed among the intelligent, capable and enterprising farmers of McClellan Township, Jefferson County, who have contributed so largely toward raising it to its present higb condition as a great agricultural center. His farm is one of the best in the township, and contains all the improvements of a model estate, including a neat and commodious residence.

Mr. Bcckham was born in Tennessee in 1839, and is the fourth in order of birth of the five children comprising the family of Green and Rebecca (Wetherford) Beckham, who were likewise natives of Tennessee and came to this county in 1862, locating on the land where our subject makes his home. The subject of this sketch enjoyed only limited advantages for obtaining an education, but aided his father in the care of his farm and thus gained a thoroughly practical knowledge of the pursuit of agriculture and was well fitted at an early age to self-relianlly begin the battle of life.

Shortly after coming to this county our subject enlisted his services in the Union army and became a member of Company B, Sixtieth Illinois Infantry. With his regiment he participated in many of the hard-fought engagements of that period, and at the close of the war received his honorable discharge at Louisville, Ky. While in South Carolina he fell into the hands of the enemy, from whom he was released a few days later and returned to his regiment. On again making his home in Jefferson County he resumed his farm labors and has ever since given his undivided attention to cultivating the soil. He is a general farmer and has upon his place a large number of cattle and horses of good grades.

The lady whom our subject married July 25, 1869, was Miss Margaret, daughter of Lewis and Patsy Osborn, natives of Jefferson County. Ten children were born of their union, one of whom died in infancy. Those now living are, Van and Robert, at home; Martha, Mrs. Willard Croson; Lizzie, Nancy, Frederick, Lewis, Joseph and Linnie, at home with their parents.

Mrs. Beckham is an active and devoted member of the Christian Church. In politics our subject never fails to cast a vote in favor of Republican candidates, and while taking an active interest in politics has never aspired to office, preferring to let those hold positions who have more time to devote to them. In the community where he has lived so long lie is both widely and favorably known, and in the history of his adopted county he well deserves representation.

Source: "Portrait and Biographical Record Clinton, Washington, Marion and Jefferson Counties, Illinois"
Chapman Publishing Co, Chicago, 1894
Page 549-550
Submitted by Sandy Bauer