Among the newer population being formed in the state, it is becoming more and more of a rarity to find a family descended from the old Argonauts of the "days of '49"; that interesting and romantic period in the state's history when men and women braved the perils and hardships of the long journey to the land of their dreams. Some realized their visions; others settled down to the more prosaic callings of agriculture and business, and these were the real builders of the state, who laid the foundation for its present ranking as one of the richest in the Union.
Samuel S. Beck is the representative of one such family. Born in San Francisco, July 29, 1861, his father, Nathaniel A., came around the Horn in a sailing vessel, in '49, from Boston, Mass., and followed mining for a time, later engaging in the tanning business in San Francisco. His mother, Elizabeth Field before her marriage, crossed the plains to California in 1847, and here their marriage occurred, a young couple starting in life in a new and totally different surrounding from that of her rearing in the older cities. Samuel S. was educated in the public schools of San Francisco, attending the Lincoln Grammar School. He later came south to Porterville, Tulare County, and there followed the mercantile business for three years. He then went to San Bernardino, and there followed his trade of painter, which he had learned in San Francisco and worked at in his native city for a time.
From San Bernardino, Mr. Beck came to Pomona, in 1887, and worked for the Oakes Brothers, painting contractors, and later engaged in painting contracting for himself, and for a number of years he did practically all of that sort of work done in Pomona, employing from twenty-two to twenty-five men. He contracted for the painting of the First National Bank Building, and many of the fine homes and buildings in the city and surrounding territory. In Claremont, he secured the contract for the painting of the Pomona College buildings.
Since 1905 Mr. Beck has been engaged in sign painting in Pomona, doing everything in that line of work, including window lettering, store signs and banner illustrations.
The marriage of Mr. Beck united him with Miss Naomi Witfield, a native of England, and they reside in the home which Mr. Beck erected on North Gordon Avenue, where he also owns five building lots. Fraternally, Mr. Beck is a member of the Foresters and of the Pomona Lodge, No. 789, B.P.O. Elks. A man of substantial aims and sound business judgment, he has matured two series of shares in the Mutual Building and Loan Association, considering this system of investment both safe and profitable and worthy of support. Mr. Beck is one of Pomona's most loyal citizens, and in his estimation the Valley is unsurpassed as a place of residence, providing as it does both an ideal climate and home surroundings, and with progressive and enterprising business establishments to form a nucleus for the fertile Valley. He is public spirited and takes pride in furthering the upbuilding of this section of his native state.
History of Pomona Valley, California, with Biographical Sketches
of The Leading Men and Women of the Valley Who Have Been
Identified With Its Growth and Development from the Early Days
to the Present
Published in Los Angeles, Cal., by the Historic Record Company
1920
Transcribed by Linda Jackson 9/3/08, Pages 324 & 327
Los Angeles County Biographies ~ Archive Biography Index ~ Archive Index
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