Iola in Allen County, Kansas — The American Midwest (Upper Plains)

A.W. Beck

November 10, 1845 - June 18, 1931

Photographed By William Fischer, Jr., May 17, 2015

1. A.W. Beck Marker

Inscription. A.W. Beck was responsible for the development of the buildings on east Madison from Jefferson to South Avenues (viewed on the other side of this sign). Mr. Beck was an instrumental business leader from 1870 to 1928. He brought many new ideas and businessmen to Iola.

Erected 2014 by Iola CITF/PRIDE.

Topics. This historical marker is listed in this topic list: Industry & Commerce. A significant historical year for this entry is 1870.

Location. 37° 55.278′ N, 95° 24.249′ W. Marker is in Iola, Kansas, in Allen County. Marker is on Madison Avenue (U.S. 54) east of South Street, on the left when traveling west. Marker is on the south side of the Courthouse Square. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 5 East Madison Avenue, Iola KS 66749, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker. East Madison Avenue Businesses (here, next to this marker); South Jefferson Avenue Businesses (within shouting distance of this marker); Iola Kiosk (within shouting distance of this marker); George A. Bowlus (within shouting distance of this marker); Madison Avenue and the Allen County Courthouse (within shouting distance of this marker); Iola Colborn (about 300 feet away, measured in

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a direct line); Iola State Bank and Madison Avenue (about 300 feet away); Nimrod Hankins (about 300 feet away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Iola.

Regarding A.W. Beck.

A. W. BECK, dealer in agricultural implements, grain, etc., was born in Crawford County, Ohio, in 1845. At the age of seventeen years, he began business life, as a clerk, at Sandusky, being engaged in that capacity for three years. For a time he carried on the livery business at Crestline, in the same State. In May, 1870, he came to Kansas, locating a few months later at Iola, where he engaged in general speculation, until 1872, when he embarked in the grocery business. Two years later, he added a stock of drugs, and two year after disposed of his business interest and located on a farm in Elm Township, where he was engaged in stock raising, until March, 1882. For the past ten years he has been engaged in the grain business, and in the winters of 1876 and 1877, he also carried on an extensive coal trade at Iola. In 1875, he embarked in the implement business, and carries a stock of from $3,000 to $4,000 of all kinds of farming machinery, wagons, buggies, etc. Mr. Beck still owns a fine farm consisting of eighty

Photographed By William Fischer, Jr., May 17, 2015

2. A.W. Beck Marker

acres.

From Cutler's History of the State of Kansas (1883)

Credits. This page was last revised on July 7, 2020. It was originally submitted on May 25, 2015, by William Fischer, Jr. of Scranton, Pennsylvania. This page has been viewed 451 times since then and 8 times this year. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on May 25, 2015, by William Fischer, Jr. of Scranton, Pennsylvania.