The Beckmans came to America from East Friesland to New Orleans in 1857. There were reportedly seven Beckman brothers plus wives and children and they travelled on a ship that they owned, which was sold after their arrival.2890 {See note added by Clayton Heathcock, 27 August 2015.]

1880 Census of Chatsworth, Livingston Co IL

Name Age
C. R. Beckman 29 head Hanover Hanover Hanover blacksmith
Anna Beckman 19 wife IL Prussia Prussia
F. R. Beckman 26 brother Hanover Hanover Hanover apprentice to blacksmith

1900 Census of Palisade, Hitchcock Co NE

Name Age
Claus R Beckman 49 Germany Germany Germany
Anna Beckman 39 IL Germany Germany
Charles C Beckman 16 IL Germany IL (son)

1910 Census of Chatsworth, Livingston Co IL

Name Age
Claus R Beckman 59 Germany Germany Germany
Anna Beckman 49 IL Germany Germany
Louisa Beckman 9 NE Germany IL

Note added 27 August 2015: The Beckmann family is listed on a passenger list for the Bremen Ship of E. F. Gabain. The passenger manifest is dated 15th Nov. 1858. A total of 564 passenger names are listed on the manifest and it is noted that 3 adults and 4 children died en route. The Beckmans listed on the manifest are:

Anna Cathar Beckmann 40 1818 Female
Anna Elisabth Beckmann 18 1840 Female
Johann Heinr Beckmann 16 1842 Male
Friedr Wilh Beckmann 14 1844 Male
Anna Margar Beckmann 8 1850 Female
Friedr Wilh Beckmann 6 1852 Male
August Beckmann 3 1855 Male

Listed separately, several pages following the above family:
Geert A Beckmann 35 1823 Male
Claus Beckmann 7 1851 Male

Claus and Anna were first cousins in that their fathers, G. A. and Claus Beckman, were (likely) brothers.2890

1870 Census of Alton, Madison Co IL

Name Age
G A Beckman 50 Hanover carpenter
Margareth Beckman 38 Hanover
Claus Beckman 17 Hanover
John Beckman 11 IL
Anna Beckman 9 IL
George Beckman 1 IL

Alton is about 200 miles from Chatsworth. It is just across the Missouri River from St. Louis.