Beckert Brothers. Among the substantial and reliable business houses of Piqua, one which has gained and held public confidence because of its straightforward business policy, is the firm of Beckert Brothers, dealers in coal and building supplies. This concern was started in 1912 in the same neighborhood as that in which it is now located, at Young street, South avenue and the railroad tracks, and its product includes coal, cement, lime, plaster, sewer pipe, building material, fire-brick and clay. The senior member of the firm, Ferd A. Beckert, was born at Piqua, Ohio, June 9, 1881, a son of Philip and Appolina (Schneider) Beckert. The father was a shoemaker and he and his worthy wife were well respected people of their community, being residents of Piqua for many years. They had seven sons and four daughters: Ferd A., Edward F., Joseph, Reinhardt, Henry W., L. P., August J., supervisor of the Ohio School for the Deaf; Julia S., Anna S., Rose and Alma. Ferd A. Beckert was educated at St. Boniface Parochial School and the Piqua High School, following which he pursued a course in the Piqua Commercial College. He began his career as a newsboy and subsequently rose to the dignity of conducting a news agency, his initial experience in the coal industry coming as a clerk in the employ of the Border City Coal Company. Later he bought a half interest in the business of J. H. Corbley, who later sold his interest to John Gertner, who, in turn, was succeeded by Edward F. Beckert, the firm since having been known as Beckert Brothers. Ferd A. Beckert married Clara M., daughter of John and Elizabeth Humpert, and they are members of St. Boniface Catholic Church. Mr. Beckett is a director of the Piqua Chamber of Commerce, and is fraternally identified with the Knights of Columbus, the Fraternal Order of Eagles and the Knights of St. John. Edward F. Beckert was born at. Piqua, March 26, 1887, and attended St. Boniface Parochial School, the Piqua High School and a commercial college. Like his brother, he sold newspapers on the streets as a boy, but after leaving school secured a position as bookkeeper for the Val Decker Packing Company. Later he became a partner with his brother in the coal business when he bought the interest of John Gertner. Mr. Beckert married Martha, daughter of Louis Herbert, and they have one child, Herbert, and are members of St. Boniface Catholic Church. Mr. Beckert is a member of the Piqua Chamber of Commerce and is fraternally affiliated with the Knights of St. John, the Knights of Columbus and the Fraternal Order of Eagles. During the war period the Beckert brothers were active in all movements and assisted materially in raising funds for the Knights of Columbus for that order's overseas work. During the war period, also, the firm of Beckert Brothers furnished most of the coal for Piqua's industries, as well as the surrounding country, in addition to taking care of the local trade, and in view of the severe coal shortage at that time it was a very creditable achievement of the firm that Piqua and the community did not suffer from a coal shortage.