Erasmus W. Beck

Who was Erasmus W. Beck?

Erasmus Williams Beck was a U.S. Representative from Georgia.

Born in McDonough, Henry County, Georgia, Beck attended the local schools of his native county, a private school, and Mercer University, Macon, Georgia, for two years. In 1855, on account of ill health, returned to McDonough and began the study of law. He moved to Griffin, Georgia, in 1856 and continued his law studies. He was admitted to the bar in 1856 and commenced practice in Griffin, Georgia. He served for a short period in the Confederate States Army during the Civil War, but was invalided home on account of ill health. During the war was solicitor general of the Flint circuit.

Beck was elected as a Democrat to the Forty-second Congress to fill the vacancy caused by the death of Thomas J. Speer and served from December 2, 1872, to March 3, 1873. He was not a candidate for renomination in 1872. He resumed the practice of his profession at Griffin, Georgia. He served as judge of the city court of Griffin from 1890 until his death in that city on July 22, 1898. He was interred in Oak Hill Cemetery.