Catherine Beck (maiden name: Leinbach) was born around 1808 in Pennsylvania to Elias and Mary Leinbach. Her father was a clockmaker and was probably part of the Mennonite community. She married John Beck, and their daughter Mary was born on January 1, 1841. They settled in Buffalo, Pennsylvania, and her husband worked as a farm laborer. By 1870, they owned $800 of real estate and $300 of personal property. She died sometime after 1880.