----Source: HISTORY OF CLARK COUNTY, 1918, pages 263 - 264

                                      Mr. & Mrs. Robert B. French, Jr.

                                             --  Robert B. French Sr.--

                                      Mr. & Mrs. George A. Beeckler

George Alexander Beeckler, a prosperous, general farmer and stockraiser, residing in Section 9, Levis Townhsip, on the old pioneer farm of his wife's father and grandfather, Robert B. French, junior and senior, was born in Lynn Township, Clark county, Wis., Feb. 13, 1882. The scene of his birth was the log house of his maternal grandmother, and his parents were Ezra A. and Amelia (Jackisch) Beeckler. His paternal ancestors came from Holland at an early day, settling first in New York State. The grandfather of our subject, Alexander Beeckler, married Theresa Douglas, and removed from New York to Westminster, Canada, whence, after a short time, he came to Sheboygan County, Wis., and then to Clark County, where he spent the rest of his life in farming. His son, Ezra, who was a school teacher for many years in Clark and other counties of Wisconsin, is now living on a farm near Granton, and is a prominent citizen of Grant Township. George A. Beeckler was educated in the old Windfall school of Granton, his father being one of the teachers. He acquired a knowledge of farming and also learned cheese making, which occupation he followed for a year in Independence, Iowa, then for two years in Dunn County, Wis., one year in Chippewa County, this state, and later in Clark County, until 1911. In that year he took his present farm in Section 9, Levis Township, where he carries on general farming, raising good stock. He is a member of the Masonic order, the Mystic Workers and the Beavers.

In 1910, Mr. Beeckler was united in marriage with Gladys French, who was born in Pine Valley Township, Clark County, daughter of Robert B., Jr. and Maryette (Rodman) French. Her father, who was born at the mouth of the East Fork of Black River, in Clark County, Wis., was a son of Robert B., Sr., and Ellen (O'Brien) French, and a grandson of Captain John and Nancy (Kennedy) French.

Ancestors of the French family came to America in the Mayflower, and the grandfather of Capt. John was a soldier in the Revolutionary War at the age of 17 years. The Captain, himself, who was an officer in the War of 1812, settled in Pennsylvania, and in 1842 came West to Iowa. In 1853 Robert B. French, Sr., came to Black River and secured a tract of 160 acres of land on the bank of the river, where the subject of this sketch now resides. He soon became a prominent citizen of the locality, operating a sawmill located on the farm for a number of years. He also ran the hotel at Hatfield for nineteen years. At times, however, he suffered misfortunes, being burned out several times. His wife, Ellen, died in 1891, his own death occurring in 1909. His son, Robert B., Jr., followed farming on the old home place until he retired. both he and his wife are still living. Their only child was Gladys, who married Mr. Beeckler.