HEINRICH OTTO BEECK,
“Capemont,” Katanning
Heinrich Beeck is a son of Mr. Emil Robert Beeck, and was born in Monarto, South Australia on June 23, 1875, where he also completed his education. Leaving school at an early age, he made himself of considerable use on his father’s farm, paying special attention to the sheep-raising industry, and gaining experience which proved of great value to him in his subsequent career.
In February 1892 he sailed into the port of Albany on the ‘South Australian’ with his mother, Hermine and the rest of his family. A special train was needed to bring all the family, their belongings, food, machinery and livestock to settle in the Katanning district.
Upon arrival, he accompanied his father to the Katanning district, where the original holding of “Capemont” was selected as suitable for mixed farming operations. Upon the retirement of Mr. Beeck, senior in 1903, the estate was divided among the brothers, nearly 1,500 acres falling to the share of Heinrich.
Mr. Beeck made a study of the different methods of working the land, and of carrying on the various industries connected with properties similar to his own, and was very successful in applying the knowledge thus gained to the special conditions of his own property.
He had some fine stock imported from South Australia, but averaged his greatest successes in the show ring with sheep bred by himself at “Capemont.” In 1911 he gained the gold medal presented by Messrs. Henry Wills & Co., in connection with the Great Southern Pastoral and Agricultural Society’s Show, for the highest number of points gained in the merino sheep section.
A portion of the estate is devoted to orchard operations, where various kinds of fruits are grown for home use and for the local markets.
Mr. Beeck married Adah, second daughter of Mr. E. B. Mackie, of Albany, in 1902, the couple had two sons and one daughter by 1913.
HEINRICH OTTO BEECK