BECKENBACH, Peter, 15 Sep 1836 - 13 Feb 1878. " Father. ". (Altenbach, Baden, Germany native; h/o Elizabeth Altmeyer, mar. 16 Oct 1859 in Davidson Co. Nashville, Tn., she died 17 Jun 1895; arrived in New York 15 Aug 1854.) Block 'D'
Peter Beckenbach married Elizabeth Altmeyer 16 Oct 1859 in Nashville, Davidson County, Tennessee. She was the daughter of Christian and Katarina Altmeyer and was born 16 Oct 1838 in Birkenfeld, Germany. She died 17 Jun 1895, probably in Paducha, Kentucky.
On 15 August 1854, Peter, age 18, arrived in New York aboard the ship, American Congress, an American Clipper-Ship, having first traveled from Germany to London, England. He may have met his brother in New York and they traveled together to Nashville or his brother was already in Nashville and he joined him there. Whichever it was, Peter met and went to work for his future father-in-law, Christian Aultmeyer, making shoes and boots. Both Peter and Christian are listed on the 1860 census of Nashville, Davidson County, Tennessee as shoe makers.
By 1863 both the Altmeyer and Beckenbach families had moved to Columbia, Maury County, Tennessee, about 50 miles southwest of Nashville. Here they continued their trade of shoe making and all except the oldest of Peter and Elizabeth's children were born.
BECKENBACK, Unknown, 15 Sep 1836 - 18 Feb ?. Wife of Peter Beckenback Ref: Maury Co. Tn. Cemeteries by Fred Hawkins.
Note: Peter Beckenbach (my great-grandfather) only had one wife but she remarried and moved to Kentucky after his death. I've never been able to find where she is buried and it never crossed my mind that her sons might have returned her to Rose Hill. Her second marriage was a disaster and it is even rumored in the family that her sons may have had something to do with "getting rid" of her second husband. Family records say that she died in 1895. Her full name was Elizabeth Aultmeyer Beckenbach Thompson. Is there any other clue that you might know about that would verify that this is her? Suzy & Rob. Is this grave next to Peter Beckenbach.)
From Suzy and Rob. Compiled and sent here by Mary Bob McClain Richardson, 11 Nov 2012.
