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(My sincere thanks to James Heidlebaugh for the information he contributed on this family.)
William Green Berry Beckham was born January 15, 1841, in Wayne Co, Tennessee, the son of Green Berry Beckham, Jr. and Rebecca Weatherford.
The 1850 Wayne County census shows 9 year old William living at home with his parents and siblings.
In 1852 William went to work for a man from Jefferson County, Illinois, who had purchased a herd of Tennessee stock mules from William's father in Wayne County. The man hired William to help drive the mules north to his farm in Jefferson County, Illinois. Eleven year old William made the trip to Illinois and remained in Jefferson County, working for the man as a ranch hand.
William apparently returned to Wayne County, Tennessee for at least a short time. William married Lucinda E. Howard on November 6, 1859, in Wayne County. We know nothing about Lucinda exect that she was born about 1840 in Tennessee.
Between 1860 to 1862, William's parents and siblings moved to Jefferson County where William was living.
William married Mary Margaret Osborn on July 28, 1868, in Jefferson County, Illinois. Mary Margaret Osborn was born November 16, 1849, in Illinois, according to information provided by James Heidlebaugh. She was the daughter of Lewis B. Osborn and Martha Hamilton Smith.
William's family appears on the 1870 Jefferson County, Illinois census in McClellan Township.
The 1880 Jefferson County, Illinois census, Elk Prairie Township, shows William Beckum, 35, a farmer; Margaret, wife, 32; Van, son, 11; Robert, son, 8; Martha, daughter, 4; and Eliza, daughter, 1 month old. WIlliam was living next door to his brother Joel and near his brother James.
Mary Margaret died May 22, 1911 and is buried in South Hickory Hills Cemetery in Jefferson County.
William died December 18, 1915, in Jefferson County and is also buried in South Hickory Hills Cemetery.
Children of William Beckham and Mary Margaret Osborn
1. Van Beckham, b. May 13, 1869, Jefferson Co, IL; d. Dec 6, 1931; bur. South Hickory Hills Cem, Jefferson Co; m. Effie Butler in 1894, Jefferson Co, then m. Martha Ellen Rightnowar on Spet 20, 1907, Jefferson Co. Children by Effie: Ollie; Howard; Julia Katherine; Mable Martha; and William Dee. Children by Martha: Enoch Adam; Effie Mae; Margaret Opal; Audrey; Nina; Joseph Arthur; and Nellie Amanda.
2. Robert Lee Beckham, b. June 13, 1872, Jefferson Co, IL; d. Apr 14, 1904; bur. South Hickory Hills Cem, Jefferson Co, IL; never married
3. Martha A. Beckham, b. Nov 1877, Jefferson Co, IL; bur. South Hickory Hills Cem, Jefferson Co; m. William N. Crosnoe in 1893, Jefferson Co. No children.
4. Eliza Jane Beckham, b. 1879, Jefferson Co, IL; d. 1880
5. Elizabeth D. Beckham, b. probably 1881, Jefferson Co, IL (does not appear on the 1880 census...b. Apr 1880 according to info from James Heidlebaugh); d. 1937; bur. South Hickory Hills Cem, Jefferson Co; m. Ira Albert Kirkpatrick on July 29, 1900, Jefferson Co. Child: Maxine
6. Nannie Tilda Backham, b. Dec 25, 1882, Jefferson Co, IL; d. May 27, 1962; bur. South Hickory Hills Cem, Jefferson Co; m. James Henry Black in 1907, Jefferson Co, IL. Children: Velma Fern; James Henry; Mildred Grace; and Virginia May.
7. Frederick Beckham, b. Mar 25, 1885, Jefferson Co, IL; d. Aug 2, 1973; bur. Osgood Cem, Ripley Co, IN; m. Ollie A. Wells on Jan 8, 1905, Jefferson Co, then m. Grace Fossbaugh on May 3, 1958. Children by Ollie: Albert Fred and Vearl.
8. Louis Green Beckham, b. Mar 5, 1888, Jefferson Co, IL; d. Apr 19, 1978; bur. South Hickory Hills Cem, Jefferson Co; m. Nora Ella Wilson on Sept 30, 1906, Jefferson Co, then m. Ella Pittman, then m. Mary E. Rector, then m. Eliza Ann "Betty" Davis on July 26, 1946, Randolph Co, AR. Children by Nora Ella: Russell and Bernice Opal. Children by Mary: Wanda Louise and Royal Harold.
9. Joe Beckham, b. Nov 1890, Jefferson Co, IL; d. Aug 23, 1953; bur. South Hickory Hills Cem, Jefferson Co; m. Sam Erie Wilson on June 16, 1907, Jefferson Co. Child: Margaret
10. Lennie Ethel Beckham, b. Oct 12, 1892, Jefferson Co, IL; d. Cot 30, 1951; bur. Graceland Cem, Decatur, IL; m. Robert Emmett Leek on Sept 16, 1910, Jefferson Co. Children: William Frank; Nolda Nadyne; Eulah Hildred; Robert Emmett; and Marvin Elwin.