Gustave Becker

As printed in 1910

GUSTAVE BECKER.

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 History of Davenport and Scott County Iowa : Illustrated (1910). See the original pages. Wording is the original; obvious scanning errors have been corrected, and a few may remain.