User:Stephenbeckerle/sandbox

Bold text

The origin of the Pearl River Beckerle's & Beckerle Lumber

Johann Beckerle was a German born farmer, who emigrated to the USA, just before the outbreak of the US Civil war of (1861-1865). Leaving Germany in October of 1859, in search of a better life for himself and his family. Johann Beckerle (b.1812-1897) with his spouse, Margaretha Bardon Beckerle (b.1814-1895) and, all of their living children: Conrad(16), John (15)*, Katharina(10), Philip(5), and Barbara(3), left Hessloch, their small farming village in Germany, to start a new life in America. Sailing from Hessloch Rheinhesse Germany in October 1859, aboard the steamship BAVARIA, they arrived in New York on November 03 1859.

Conrad (b.25 Dec 1842-d.30 March 1931) the eldest son, moved on to Scranton Pennysylvania, and started a family of his own. John (b.25 Jan 1844-d.10 Aug 1907) fought in the Civil War and then moved to California where he ended up owning a small fruit farm in Lemoore CA in 1892. Philip (b.15 Feb 1854-d.7 Jan 1939) who was five at the time, settled in Pearl River with the rest of the family. Both sisters remained settled in Rockland. Catherine (b.20 Aug 1849-d.14 Jul 1931) married Laurence Sauer and Barbara (b.28 Dec 1856-d.25 Mar 1948) married Louis Maurer. Johann's son Philip, was five when his family arrived in the US. Being to young to serve in the military he was fortunate to be allowed to grow up in the small farming community of Middletown. He witnessed and was the benefactor of this small communities growth along with it's name change to Pearl River. Young Philip received his first schooling in Nanuet and later in New York City. While still in his teens he started the wood cutting business, cutting cord wood for the wood burning locomotives. He later sold wood for the railroad ties to the approaching railroad. The laying of the tracks through Pearl River, then known as Middletown and later as Muddy Brook, took place in 1870. At this time there were thirty two families dwelling in Middletown (Pearl River). He married Pauline Miller (1861-1933) and settled down to a productive life in a growing Pearl River. Some of his notable achievements included being on the committee which laid out the wide streets of Pearl River. He was also one of those responsible for building the original Catholic church in town. His immediate family included three daughters. Miss Margaretta Beckerle (1890-1976), Miss Anne Beckerle (1897-1967). Anne worked for a time as a nurse for the radio city music hall rockettes! and Sister Mary Pauline. He also had five sons. John P., Laurence T., Alfred, Joseph, and George (co-inventor of the automatic pin setter developed by AMF)., On Feb 29 1940, a year after Philip died, Laurence started Beckerle Lumber Supply Co Inc., A building supply Company based in Rockland County NY.

To this day, Beckerle Lumber Supply Co Inc is still open for business and continues to be run independently by descendants of Johann Beckerle. Working with the MANY other NON-related "family" members, the Beckerle's are grateful to be able to keep this family tradition going. No big company corporate ownership here. As local as local gets.