James Alexander Beck b. 10 Jul 1876 Belfast, County Antrim, Ireland d. 6 Mar 1960 Belfast, County Antrim, Ireland: Tangled Roots

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1876 - 1960 (83 years)

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Name	James Alexander Beck
Born	10 Jul 1876	Belfast, County Antrim, Ireland [2, 3]
Gender	Male
Baptism	Newcastle, County Down, Norrthern Ireland [4]
Education	Cambridge University, Law [5]
Education	Between 1888 and 1895 [6]
	Governess
Honours	a Knight of the Order of St. John of Jerusalem [7]
Occupation	Managing Director, James A. Beck & Son, Ltd. [3]
Died	6 Mar 1960	Belfast, County Antrim, Ireland [8]
	Cause: Pneumonia following bronchitis
Person ID	I4146	TangledRoots
Last Modified	22 Oct 2021

Father	James Alexander Beck, b. 1824, Drumnahaire and Greenan, Loughbrickland, County Down, Ireland , d. 1 Mar 1897, Belfast, County Antrim, Ireland (Age 73 years)
Mother	Rosetta Bullick, b. 10 Apr 1848, Portadown, County Armagh, Ireland , d. Between Oct 1930 and Dec 1930, Belfast, County Antrim, Ireland (Age 82 years)
Married	18 Apr 1876	Neuchâtel, Switzerland
Family ID	F1835	Group Sheet \| Family Chart

Family Paula Katinka Commichau, b. 26 Jul 1883, Silkeborg, Århus, Denmark , d. 8 May 1966, Belfast, County Antrim, Ireland (Age 82 years)

Married 5 Jan 1910 Belfast, County Antrim, Ireland [9]

Knockbreda Parish Church

Children

	1. Carl Alexander Beck, b. 18 Mar 1911, Belfast, County Antrim, Ireland , d. 10 Dec 1992, Belfast, County Antrim, Northern Ireland, United Kingdom (Age 81 years)
	2. Denis Archibald Beck, b. 26 Dec 1913, Belfast, County Antrim, Ireland , d. 21 Feb 1991, Douglas, Isle of Man (Age 77 years)
	3. Captain Ralph Gareth Beck, b. 16 May 1921, Belfast, County Antrim, Ireland , d. 27 Mar 1990, Belfast, County Antrim, Ireland (Age 68 years)

Last Modified 16 Jan 2022

Family ID F1884 Group Sheet | Family Chart

Notes

Medical: Heavy cigar smoker

...Very enthusiastic traveller, renowned ornitholigist, historian and viewer of cathedrals. Started out in family firm as the "junior" who travelled the countryside dealing with all the smaller and more difficult customers. Was one of the first 500 who obtained a driving license in Ireland. Perhaps the first car owned was a Chambers which was built in Belast. From father's memory JA had a Chambers in some part of his early motoring history. One of these cars was in the Ulster Museum. Later, when more senior in the company, had a chauffeur; Alfie, the last one was an ex Chindit (Allied soldier in Burma: a soldier of the Allied forces in World War II, who fought behind the Japanese lines in Burma.
...He and his wife were serious travellers, when younger, going to Denmark at least three times per year, and often spending time on the continent. The travelling, scenery, eating the local food and visiting cathedrals, was not to the liking of the sons, who were to their pleasure, sent off to Ramsey in the IOM.
...Very close friends with James Herron Stirling. Herron was a Director of James A. Beck & Son, Ltd. Photograph with J. H. Stirling and J. U. Switzer at door of Everton House.
...Well known writer and raconteur about the linen trade, and acknowledged expert on subject. His collection of books about the linen trade being given to the PRONI, and being regarded as a "major collection". Assumed to be the greates living authority on history of linen trade in Ulster. Wrote a history of the family firm "History of JA Beck & County" and "History of Linen Industry in Northern Ireland" (in PRONI). Walker and climber often associating both with ornithology and collecting bird's eggs. Climbed Ailsa Craig in Scotland to obtain a particular type of gull's egg. Very much a "pillar of society", always appearing at funerals in top hat and morning dress.
...In later years always seen with handkerchief in breast pocket, flower in button hole, panama hat and cigar. (Source: Information from Alan C. Beck, email dated February 24, 2002, John W. Beck, A.M.I.E.E., "Beck of Northern Ireland", 1931)

James Alexander Beck[1]

James Alexander Beck^[1]