Mary A. Langton was an older sister of Jeanette's great-grandfather. She was born 11 Oct 1831 in Mifflin county, PA, where she was enumerated in the 1850 and 1860 censuses along with her parents, Joseph and Catherine Langton.
We didn't know what had become of Aunt Mary until we received the following information which Mifflin county researcher Donna Glant Terrian located in Former Residents of Mifflin County, Vol. II, 1884 - 1896, page 60:
Issac Beck, who married in Lewistown Miss Mary Langton, and who had a daughter, Mrs. Arthur Askew, died in Altoona, 7/24/1891.1
Once provided with that clue, we were able to trace Mary and Isaac's lives through several decades. Isaac Beck was a carpenter, born 25 Apr 18341 in Pennsylvania. Mary moved with him to Altoona, in Blair county, PA, about 50 miles west of Mifflin county. Mary and Isaac Beck had two children:
This family was enumerated in Altoona in the 1870 and 1880 censuses.
Death. Mary (Langton) Beck's obituary, available online at the USGenWeb archives site, appeared in the Altoona Tribune, Monday, 12 August 1918, page 10:
MRS. MARY A. BECK.
Mrs. Mary A. Beck, one of the esteemed residents of the First ward, and one of the oldest in the city, died at 5 o'clock Saturday morning [10 Aug 1918] at the home of her daughter, Mrs. Arthur W. Askew, 1024 Lexington avenue. Her health had been declining for the past year but she was able to be up and about on Friday, her death coming as a shock to those who shared her acquaintance. Deceased was the daughter of Joseph and Catherine Langton, deceased, and she was born near Lewistown and had she lived until October 11 would have reached the age of 87 years. She had resided in the city for a half a century, coming here on her marriage to Isaac Beck, who preceded her to the grave twenty-seven years ago. She received her education in the old Lewistown academy and early in life affiliated with the Presbyterian church. She was a charger member of the First Presbyterian church, was one of its active workers for many years. She was also much interested in the Red Cross, was an active worker despite her years and had recently begun her twenty-eighth pair of socks for the soldier boys. She also knit sweaters for the boys. She is survived by one daughter, Mrs. Arthur W. Askew, two sisters, and one brother, Mrs. Kate Stouch, of this city, and Mrs. Eliza Freeland and John Langton, both of Decatur, Ill. A granddaughter, Mrs. James Fair, of Philadelphia, also survived. The funeral will take place from the residence at 4 o'clock this afternoon, interment in Fairview cemetery.3
Descendants. In about 1888, Isaac and Mary's daughter Lizzie married a Mr. Askew, who was born May 1863 in either Pennsylvania or Illinois. They had one child:
Lizzie's husband's first name is just one of several pieces of information which appear in different ways from one census to another. In the 1900 census, the Askews were enumerated at 1022 Lexington Avenue in Altoona. Albert Askew was working as a clerk with the Pennsylvania Railroad. Mary Beck was living with them. They were all at that address once again in 1910. Arthur W. Askew was still working for the railroad, but now as a claims agent. We believe the latter is his correct name, since there is an Arthur W. Askew (1862-1925) buried in Altoona's Fairview cemetery.4