BECKHAM, John Crepps Wickliffe, American statesman: b. Bardstown, Ky., 5 Aug. 1869. He attended school at Roseland Academy, Bardstown, and Central University, Richmond, Ky., receiving degree of LL.D. from the university in 1902; served as page in the Kentucky house of representatives in the ses sion of 1881-82; in 1888 became principal of the Bardstown public school and taught three years; studied law and began practice in 1893; same year was elected as representative of Nel son County to the general assembly; served as such in the sessions of 1894, 1896, 1897, 1898 and in the latter session was speaker of the house; in 1899 was Democratic nominee for lieutenant governor on the ticket with William Goebel, candidate for governor, and in the contest be fore the general assembly of 1900 was declared elected lieutenant-governor at the same time that Goebel was declared elected governor. Upon the death of Governor Goebel, 3 Feb. 1900. -he became governor, and at the special election on 6 Nov. 1900, was elected as the Democratic nominee to fill out the unexpired term of Governor Goebel, ending 8 Dec. 1903;
in the State primary of 1903 was renominated and in the general election of November 1903 was re-elected for a full term, ending 10 Dec. 1907; in the State primary of November 1906 was nominated as the•Democratic candidate for the United States Senate, to succeed J. B. Mc Creary, but in the general assembly of 1908 was defeated by W. C. Bradley, the Republican nominee; resumed, in 1908, the practice of law in Frankfort, Ky.; in the State primary of 1 Aug. 1914 was nominated by the Democratic party for the United States Senate, and in the general election of 3 Nov. 1914 was elected for the term beginning 4 March 1915. At the Demo cratic national conventions at Saint Louis, 1904, Denver, 1908, Baltimore, 1912, he was a delegate from the State at large, and member of the committee on resolutions. His term of service will expire 3 March 1921.