Joseph Bekner was born in Botetourt County, Virginia about 1791. He was the son of Jacob Beckner (Sr) (c. 1756 -1797)and his wife Catherine. Jacob had come to Botetourt County from York County Pennsylvania in the early 1790s. On 29 October 1812, in Botetourt County, Joseph married Elizabeth Fellers, the daughter of Peter and Elizabeth Fellers. In 1820 they were still in Botetourt County. In 1827 Joseph joined his sister Polly Harter, his brother John Beckner, his first cousin Samuel Beckner and other German baptists in a move to what became Carroll County, Indiana. Joseph was recorded there in the 1830 Federal census in Carroll County. In 1835-1836 he entered land in Miami County, Indiana. Joseph Beckner was in Wabash County was for the 1840 and 1850 Federal census. He founded the town of Roann in 1853 and probably died in the 1850s. Joseph's brother Jacob Beckner (Jr) (1796-1881) settled in Clinton Township of Elkhart County. Joseph and Elizabeth had at least eight children.