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Joel Willis Beckham was born November 1847, in Wayne County, Tennessee, the son of Green Berry Beckham, Jr. and Rebecca Weatherford.
The 1850 Wayne County census shows 4 year old Joel with his family and siblings. He is listed as J. W. on the census.
The Beckham family moved to Jefferson County, Illinois between 1860 and 1862.
Joel married Sarah Emeline Martin on September 30, 1869, in Jefferson County, Illinois. Sarah Martin was born April 1855, in Illinois according to census records.
The 1880 Jefferson County, Illinois census, Elk Prairie Township, shows Joel Beckum, 32, a farmer; Sarah, 26; Jolie, daughter, 10; Margaret, daughter, 8; John, son, 6; Edward, son, 4; and Mary, daughter, 1 month old. Joel's family was living between his two brothers, William and James.
The 1900 Jefferson County census, Elk Prairie Township, shows Joel Beckham, 52, born November 1841, married 30 years, a farmer who owned his farm; Sarah, wife, 45, born April 1855, married 30 years, had given birth to 8 children, 7 children still living; Samuel, son, 16, born February 1884; and Franklin, son, 14, born May 1886. Living with the family was Sarah Thompson, adopted daughter, 10, born August 1889, in Illinois, father and mother both born in Illinois. Living next door to Joel's family was his son John. The census shows John Beckham, 25, born February 1875, married 4 years, a farmer who owned his farm; and Drusy, wife, 24, born December 1875, in Illinois, father and mother both born in Illinois, married 4 years, had given birth to no children. Living near-by was Joel's brother James Beckham and his family.
Joel married Mary J. Randall in 1920, in Jefferson County, according to information provided by James Heidlebaugh.
Joel died in 1923, in Jefferson County, Illinois and is buried in South Hickory Hills Cemetery in Jefferson County.
Children of Joel Beckham and Sarah Martin
1. Jolie Beckham, b. abt 1870, IL
2. Margaret Beckham, b. abt 1872, IL
3. John Beckham, b. Feb 1875, IL, m. Drusy _____ abt 1896
4. Edward Beckham, b. abt 1876, IL
5. Mary Beckham, b. 1880, Jefferson Co, IL
6. Samuel Beckham, b. Feb 1884, IL
7. Franklin Beckham, b. May 1886, IL