In the spring of 1868 a petition was signed by 801 citizens asking for an election to make Connersville a city. A year later a huge majority made it official, Connersville became a city. Then on July 5 William Beck was elected as the first Mayor of the newly established City of Connersville.

Beck was originally born in Pittsburgh, but came to what ultimately became the city at age two with his family. His father was a tailor and it became his trade as well. In 1841 he opened a shop in Falmouth but in 1852 he was elected Fayette County Treasurer and moved back to town. He also had a clothing store downtown that was one of the busiest stores in town. He was very successful and became one of the most trusted people in the city.