The Becker Families of Scott County, Iowa

Attracted by the business opportunities offered by the new world, Gustave Becker, when a young man of twenty-one, crossed the Atlantic and for more than three decades was well known in business circles in Davenport, where his indefatigable energy and wise investment brought him success that placed him among the most prosperous residents of the city. Mr. Becker was born December 8, 1848, in Silesia, Germany, a son of Karl and Anna Rosina (Wahnelt) Becker. In the family were two sons and four daughters, the brother of our subject being Charles Becker, while the sisters were Mrs. Louise Herald, Mrs.

Bertha Gerboth, Mrs. Emily Dittschlag and Mrs. Anna Seller, of Germany. During the early boyhood of their son Gustave the parents removed to Tschimare, Germany, where he attended school, being recognized as one of the brightest pupils in his class, manifesting special aptitude in his studies. When fourteen years of age he and his brother Charles went to Berlin, where they became connected with mercantile interests, and in 1869, when Gustave Becker was about twenty-one years of age, he and his brother crossed the Atlantic to America, hoping to benefit their financial condition by the opportunities which they heard could be enjoyed in the new world. For a short time they resided in New York and then made their way westward to Detroit, Michigan. Mr. Becker afterward traveled for a number of years for a wholesale wine, liquor and cigar house and was successful in introducing the products of the house upon the market. On the ist of March, 1876, he arrived in Davenjort, where he remained until his demise. He was in business in this city for about thirty-one years and his interests were of a character that contributed in large measure to general progress and improvement as well as to individual success. He was for a time associated with others in the ownership and management of the Grand Opera House, holding a third interest. He also held a similar interest for a time in the Burtis Opera House and on the ist of April, 1891, he purchased the property at the corner of Second and Brady streets, which eventually became one of the most valuable corners in the city. He still owned this building at the time of his death and derived therefrom a substantial annual income. At one time he also conducted a high class cafe and delicatessen store but was most widely known because of his invested interests in real estate. In this he displayed keen and discriminating judgment and notable sagacity, making no error of opinion concerning the value of realty and its possible rise.

On the 20th of June, 1872, Mr. Becker was united in marriage to Miss Wilhelmina Ruehle, of Detroit. Her father, John Valentine Ruehle, was a distinguished citizen of Michigan and left the impress of his individuality upon the history of that state as one of its early legislators. Coming to the west, he was closely associated with its pioneer development and drove to Chicago in a two wheeled cart when there were only log houses in that city. His brother, Frederick R. Ruehle, was alderman of Detroit and a prominent factor in its upbuilding. John V. Ruehle acted as water commissioner of the city and was closely associated with many movements, political measures and business projects for the substantial development of the city and state in which he made his home. He had crossed the Atlantic from Baden-Baden, Germany, and was fifty-three days on a sailing vessel ere he reached American shores. He found Indians in Michigan on his arrival there but lived to see a wonderful transformation in the state as the homes of the white settlers replaced the Indian tepees and the work of civilization was carried on by a progressive and enterprising people. His wife, who bore the maiden name of Phoebe Snyder, was a native of Bavaria, Germany. Unto Mr. and Mrs. Becker were born five children, of whom three are living: Oswald, Mrs. Lina Thies and Alice.

Mr. Becker held a prominent position among the German-American residents of Davenport. He was active in support of the German free schools, belonged to the Davenport Turngemeinde and the Schuetzen Verein. He also held membership with the Fraternal Order of Eagles, the Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks and the Masonic lodge. He was ever strictly reliable in his business dealings, his commercial integrity standing as an unquestioned fact in his life. His success came to him through the judicious improvement of opportunities which others pass by heedlessly and through unremitting energy and perseverance, which are always indispensable factors in success.

As printed in the source¹. Wording is the original; obvious scanning errors have been corrected, and a few may remain.

Charles Becker, who is engaged in the retail liquor business at the corner of Fourth and Harrison streets, is the last member of his branch of this old German family in America. He was born September 29, 1850, in Kraschen, Provinz Silesia, Germany, and is a son of Carl and Anna Rosina (Wahnelt) Becker. His father, a commission merchant, was a self-made man and one who achieved prosperity and the confidence of his neighbors. He had a family of seven children, of whom the subject of this sketch was the third in order of birth.

Charles Becker received his education in Germany's excellent public schools and when eighteen years of age followed the example set by so many of his associates and came across the sea. He landed in New York and in a short time went to Detroit, where he secured a business footing in the cigar trade. Ten years later, in the spring of 1879, he came to Davenport and entered into business with his brother Gustav. This association was later dissolved and Mr. Becker removed to Sigourney, Iowa, where he engaged in the dry-goods business for three years and then returned to Davenport. He then secured a position as traveling salesman and was on the road for several years for a Davenport dry-goods house. Following this he and his brother undertook the management of the Turner Hall, which they conducted successfully for three years. They also managed the Burtis Opera House, which was Davenport's largest theater up to the year 1896. The death of Gustav Becker occurred August 26, 1908. After his experience as a manager, Charles Becker enjoyed a short retirement and then went on the road again. For seven years he remained in the capacity of traveling man but abandoned this in 1903 to open up the retail liquor store which he has ever since carried on.

On October 31, 1871, Mr. Becker was united in marriage to Christine Martens, and seven children have blessed this union: Bertha, who is employed as a dentist's assistant; Amelia, at home; Charles, who died when eight years of age; Fritz, at home; Gustav, who died when two years of age; and Anna and Carl, at home. Mr. Becker has many friends and enjoys pleasant social affiliations as a Turner and an Elk.

As printed in the source¹. Wording is the original; obvious scanning errors have been corrected, and a few may remain.

Henry Becker was well known as a representative business man of Scott county. He had the ability to discern opportunities that others passed by heedlessly and his enterprise and laudable ambition prompted him to take advantage of these with the result that as the years passed he won substantial and gratifying success. A native of Prussia, he was born in Solingen about the year 1820 and his youthful days were passed in his native country, where he was an interested witness of that spirit of political prise that was manifested throughout Europe and had its culmination in Germany in the revolution of 1848.

It was in that year that Mr. Becker came to America to enjoy the liberty offered in this land. For four years thereafter he was a resident of St. Louis and then came t6 Scott county, settling in Le Claire, where he remained until his death. In 1858 he returned to Germany and after a short visit at his old home and among the friends of his boyhood and youth he embarked on the steamer Austria for America. When ten days out this steamer took fire and burned to the water's edge. Mr. Becker with over three hundred others jumped overboard. He lost all of his possessions save his money, which was fastened around him in a belt. When he came to the surface he caught hold of a window frame that would help him keep afloat. Later, with two other men, he took hold of a plank, eight feet long, a foot wide and an inch and a half thick. To this the men clung for three and a half hours, at the end of which time they were picked up by the French bark Maurice. On that vessel all of the rescued were taken to the island of Fayal, one of the group of Azores. After remaining there for nine days they were taken aboard the British ship Valorous and brought to the United States. It was an experience which Mr. Becker never forgot.

Following the establishment of his home in Le Claire he was here married, and at his death left a wife and four children. A few years before his demise he retired from active business and was succeeded by his two sons. He was preeminently a business man, loyal, energetic and determined. At the time of the war he foresaw the rise in values and, taking advantage of the same, won wealth by dealing in whiskey and cotton goods. In all of his business undertakings he manifested the keenest discernment, a quality which is too often lacking and leads to failure. In matters of business judgment, however, he was always sound and reliable and won substantial success, enabling him to leave his family in very comfortable financial circumstances. Following his demise Mrs. Becker retained her residence in Le Claire but the daughter. Miss Hilda Becker, has now made her home in Davenport for some time and has a wide circle of acquaintances here.

As printed in the source¹. Wording is the original; obvious scanning errors have been corrected, and a few may remain.