In 1988, The Centennial History of Hurricane, WV was published to commemorate the town’s 100th anniversary. In 1994, the Centennial Committee published a follow up book which included family histories which were not submitted in time for the 1988 Centennial History. This week’s selection is the history from The Centennial History of Hurricane WV Continued — 1994.

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MINOR LEE BECKETT

I was born October 7, 1917, on Harvey’s Creek in Putnam County, near Hamlin, West Virginia. My father, Ahas W. Beckett (1885-1960) and my mother, Lula Lawson Beckett (1889-1968) were also born in Putnam County near Hamlin, West Virginia. The mailing address, at that time, was Eggleton, West Virginia. My father, Ahas W. Beckett, was a farmer and a carpenter.

I married Elizabeth Arrowood from Huntington, West Virginia, our son, David Lee Beckett, married Patty Durham. They have two sons, Christopher and Justin. Our daughter, Pamela Ellen Beckett, married Tim Stinespring. They have two daughter, Katlin and Emily. My brothers and sisters are Ruby Beckett Rappold (1910-1992), Clinton Beckett (1916), Alberta Beckett Henderson (1920), and Clyde Beckett (1922-1960).

My grandparents were William A. Beckett & Catherine Spurlock Beckett and Henry Lawson & Drucilla Hall Lawson. They lived on Harvey’s Creek and Big Creek in Putnam County near Hamlin, West Virginia. They were tobacco growers and sold cattle along with other farm duties. My great grandfather, Ahas Beckett, was a shoe cobbler and made shoes and boots for the soldiers. Some of the soldiers wanted their shoes to squeak when they walked so Great Granddad Beckett would put the slick sides of the leather together on soles which made them squeak.

The late “Uncle Tom Lawson” from Hurricane was my great uncle.

“M. L Beckett’s Market” located on U. S. Route 60 and Sycamore Road was owned and operated by me and my family from 1955 until 1983. After retiring, we moved to Thompson Road, which is near the “old store location”. I have many hobbies: gardening, fruit trees, turkey hunting and fishing. I am also active in I.O.O.F. Lodge in Huntington, West Virginia.

I am a veteran of World War Il and served with the “47th Army Engineers” throughout the Pacific area campaign from 1941 — 1945.

Our family are members of First Baptist Church, Hurricane, West Virginia.