THE BACH FAMILY

Søren met and married Kirsten and together they had two children:

I. RASMUS R. BACH (later, name changed to Beck) was born June 8, 1875 in Benstrup Farm, Denmark and died in 1939 in Humboldt County, California.

"Rasmus came from Benstrup Farm near Arhus, Denmark when he was 17 years old. Had just graduated from academy and didn't want to go into military training."
(Alma Beck Leamey - 1979)

Rasmus met and married MARIAH JANSEN on June 3, 1898. She was the daughter of Robert "Captain" and Anne Johnson. Maria was born February 28, 1874 in Ferndale, Humboldt County, California and died about 1939 in Humboldt County, California.

Together they had seven children:

I. HENRY SOREN was born June 3, 1899 in California and died June 5, 1977 in Humboldt County, California, who married Irene Margaret Petersen.
II. ALMA KIRSTEN was born May 7, 1901 in Grizzly Bluff, Humboldt County, California and died November 18, 1996 in San Mateo County, California.
III. VERNA SOPHIA was born December 13, 1903 in Humboldt County, California and died May 27, 2000 in Humboldt County California. Verna married twice, to a Nissen and to a Williams.
IV. RASMUS CLYDE was born April 19, 1904 in Grizzly Bluff, Humboldt County California and died September 20, 1982 in Humboldt County, California.
V. ANNIE MYRTLE was born July 12, 1905 in Bear River, Humboldt County, California and died November 13, 2008 in Eureka, Humboldt County, California. She married Hans Tirsbeck on September 16, 1926. He was born November 9, 1901 in Denmark and died April 5, 1965 in Humboldt County, California. Together, they had 3 children, 2 sons and one daughter.
VI. ERNEST ELWOOD was born March 22, 1911 in California and died May 14, 1955 in Humboldt County, California. Cause of death: tree fell on him, killing him instantly.
VII. MARIAN DELORES BECK was born June 12, 1918, Humboldt County, California and died July 22, 2000 in Fresno, California. She married Edwin H. Blackburn who was born September 7, 1914 and died April 19, 1994 in Fresno, California.

In 1914 when he (Rasmus) took out his citizenship papers, his last name was changed to "Beck". He was told that was the American way to spell Bach (pronounced Bak-omlats over the "a"). The kids thought it great. "Now we wouldn't be called "Batch".
(Alma Beck Leamey - 1979)

"Papa was a very busy person also. He used to leave the house around nine o'clock and return around five or six. He ran a dairy ranch that was at least ten miles from our home, so on his trips out there, he sometimes was away several days at a time. He had a cook and hired men to keep the dairy and creamery going. The family went out in the summertime. Later we moved out to stay for three or four years. Mama liked that much better. Papa was sucessful in his business for many years. We had the first electric Washington and the second automobile in Ferndale. He wanted mama to go on a trip to Denmark. He didn't get back to visit his home.

Later his drinking and ulcers caused his downfall in the business. He was the life of the party at gatherings. He could play piano, accordian and other instruments by ear. He often played at dances (lodge). He and his friends taught me to dance when I was a starry-eyed twelve year old."
(Alma Beck Leamey - 1979)

II.DORTHEA was born December 1, 1871 and died in Denmark, October 24, 1965. She married J.P. Jensen Bonde, born March 6, 1865 in Denmark and died April 28, 1948 in Denmark. Together, they had two children.

Soren and Kirsten Bach lived and died in Denmark. "They ran a dairy and creamery in Denmark. The farmland was quite a large ranch and has been in the family since 1787. The ranch has since been divided and believe three families own it now. All descendents of the original owner, Soren Nielsen, the 1787 owner. My son Roy and I went over and met cousin Soren and his son Peter and grandson Niels in 1966. We were taken to the other members of the family who still lived in the original house. Aunt Dorthea had passed away the year before we got there."
(Alma Beck Leamey - 1979)

JANSEN FAMILY

GLATT FAMILY

LEAMEY FAMILY

JAMES & ALMA LEAMEY

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