A daguerreian and manufacturer of stereoscopes, he was first reported in Philadelphia, Pa., in 1836. In 1842 he apparently studied daguerreotyping under Frederick Langenheim, and went to work for him. He was noted as a daguerreian operator for the Langenheim Brothers in 1843. Later in the same year, and in 1844, he was reported to be working for Edward White, a daguereian case maker, in New York City.
In the spring of 1844, Edward White bought a large Voigtlander camera, which Beckers used to make the first whole plate daguerreotypes in New York City. These views were made from their studio at 175 Broadway. He remained with White until December of 1844. According to Beckers' own memory, White refused to heat the studio in winter, and so Beckers opened his own studio at 33 John Street, corner of Nassau Street.
In 1844-1845, he was listed in the New York City directory without an occupation. In March, 1845 he moved his studio to 201 Broadway, under the firm name of Langenheim and Beckers, agents for Voigtlander (cameras) and Louis Beckers (chemicals).
From 1845 to 1851 he was listed as daguerreotypes, 201 Broadway. He was listed in partnership as Langenheim and Beckers. In 1850-1851, his residence was listed as Hoboken, N.J. The 201 Broadway address was reportedly next to Edward Anthony's establishment. In 1847, Beckers began using a reversing mirror on his cameras; the mirror was made by John Fitz, Sr.
In 1849, Beckers invented and patented a daguerreotype plate holder (#6,812). In the same year, the name of the firm was changed to Beckers & Piard (V.). Beckers recalled that "Having now more time, we succeeded in constructing a machine for cleaning plates in one-third the time required by hand." The gallery was listed in partnership with Victor Piard at 201 Broadway, alternately to 1853 or 1856. Beckers' residence to 1853 was listed in Hoboken, N.J.
Later, Beckers recalled that in 1852 "we (Beckers & Piard) contrived a method for making four pictures on one plate, and in such a way that the exposed quarter was in the center of the field of the lens." He was later embroiled in a suit with Marcus Ormsbee over the multiplying plate holder patent.
In 1852-1853, Beckers was listed in the Jersey City, N.J. directory without a business address, and lived in Hoboken. He recalled later that in 1853 he began designing an arrangement to hold and show glass stereoscopic images.
From 1853 to 1856 he was listed as daguerreotypes at 264 Broadway, New York City, in partnership as Beckers and Piard (V.). In 1856 Ormsbee obtained a patent for "this same" (referring to Beckers' 1852 invention) multiplying plate holder. Beckers' priority claim nullified the patent.
In 1856-1857, Beckers was listed with a daguerreian gallery at 261 Broadway, New York City. The Jersey City, N.J., directory listed him at 264 Broadway, with his residence at 58 Garden Street, Hoboken.
On April 7, 1857 Beckers obtained Patent #16,962 for his revolving table-top stereoscope. In 1857-1858, he was listed alone as a daguerreotypist at 411 Broadway, New York City; he continued to live in Hoboken.
In 1858 Beckers sold his daguerreotype business, to concentrate on stereoscopes. From 1858 to 1860 he was listed as a daguerreotypist, and patent stereoscopic panorama, stereoscopes at 411 Broadway, New York City. He lived at the corner of Second and Garden Streets, Hoboken. Another source reported that he sold his daguerreian gallery in 1859 to Augustus Morand.
On March 29, 1859 Beckers was issued Patent #23,342 for a method of mounting two doors on his table-top stereoscope on simple metal ears, and screws to hold the doors in position. Presumably this allowed for reflected light to be directed on the views. Less than a month later, on April 12, he was issued Patent #23,438 for a modified stereoscopic viewer with the belt at an angle, providing for a greater number of views. A week later, on April 12, he was issued Patent #23,543 for a further modification. This patent covered the eccentric mounting of the top spindle with an external lever for focusing.
On July 26, 1859 he patented a shorter version of the table-top viewer (Patent #24,855) with a slanted top and movable eyepiece for viewing back-to-back mounted views. On December 13, 1859 he received yet another patent, #26,407, covering viewer eyepieces turned from a single piece of wood cut obliquely for protection against ambient light.
In the 1859-1860 Jersey City directory he was listed as "stereoscopist" and lived at 58 Garden Street, Hoboken.
From 1869 to 1870 his business was located at 560 Broadway, New York City. In 1869 he won first prize at the American Institute for revolving stereoscope and stand.