Joseph A. Becker

As printed in 1902

JOSEPH A. BECKER.

Joseph A. Becker, who resides on the National pike, three miles from Springfield, was born in Dauphin county, Pennsylvania, in 1848, and is a son of John and Elizabeth (Zimmerman) Becker, also natives of Dauphin county. Removing westward, they took up their above in Clark county, two and one-half miles north of Springfield, in the’ year "1840, - driving from their old home in the Keystone state with a wagon and team of horses. After arriving at their first place of residence the father purchased a farm in German township, near Eagle City, Clark county, Ohio, and upon that place Joseph A. Becker spent his boyhood days. He was one of a family of nine children, eight of whom are yet living: Solomon, a resident of Kansas; John, who makes his home in Tremont City, Clark county; Louise, deceased; Susie, the wife of John Beard, of Winfield, Kansas; Lydia, of Tremont City, Ohio; Amos, a twin brother of Lydia, and a resident of Kansas; Joseph A.; William, who is living in Kansas; and Emma, the wife of Lewis Miller, of Tremont.

Joseph A. Becker was only a little lad when brought by his parents to Clark county and was only eight years of age at the time of his father’s death. He remained on the home farm, however, until after he had attained his majority, and acquired his education in the Mount Zion school of Eagle en In 1871 he began learning the butcher’s trade under the direction, of Aaron Reader, for whom he worked for four years. On the expiration of that period, with the capital he had acquired through his own labor, he embarked in the butchering business on his own account, renting a place in String Town for about a year. He next removed to Sugar Grove Hill, on his own property, and built a home, in which he resided for nine years. He afterwards purchased five acres on the National pike, near Rockaway, three and one-half miles west of Springfield, and erected thereon a fine brick house, which is one of the most attractive country seats of Clark county. Until elected assessor in April, 1902, he carried on the butchering business at that place, disposing of his products at the city meat market, and his success was largely attributable to the fact that he applied himself closely to the work in which he embarked as a young tradesman. He was one of the oldest market men doing business in Springfield, having helped build the old market, in which he owned a stall until it was torn down to be replaced by the new market. When the latter was completed he was one of the first to rent a stall, and continued business there until he entered upon the duties of his present office, when he turned the slaughtering and market busitiess over to his sons, who now have charge of the same under the name of Becker Brothers.

On May 10, 1876, occurred the marriage of Mr. Becker and Miss Barbara Lohnes, a daughter of Peter and Catherine (Bungert) Lohnes, both of whom came to this country from Germany. They were married in Springfield and reared a family of five children: John, who married Tilda Krapp and is living in this city; Mrs. Becker; Elizabeth, who married C. S. Courson and resides in Springfield; Catherine, the wife of John Clark, of the same city; and William, who married Anna Holly and is living in Springfield. They also lost one child—Cora, who died in infancy. The marriage of Mr. and Mrs. Becker was blessed with five children, four of whom are yet living: Bertha, Irvin, Joseph and Catherine. Laura died at the age of four and one-half years.

Mr. Becker is identified with the Knights of Pythias fraternity and in his political views is a Republican. Although elected assessor of Springfield township, he has never been a politician in the sense of office seeking, preferring to devote his time and attention to his business affairs, in which he has met with creditable success.

OSCAR+ No STEWART

Oscar N. Stewart belongs to one of the leading and prominent families of Clark county and is now successfully following farming and stock-raising in Harmony township, near the town of Plattsburg. He was born in Green township, Clark county, Ohio, February 5, 1833, and is a son of John T. and Ann (Elder) Stewart, who were natives of Dauphin county, Pennsylvania, whence they came to Ohio. The father made the trip with his brother Samuel in 1806, and the mother came with her parents in 1813. They were married in Green township in 1815 and began their domestic life upon the farm. Samuel Stewart, the grandfather of our subject, had died in Pennsylvania and his wife also passed away

Tihs there, but Robert Elder, the material grand- - father, took up his above in Green township, Clark county, Ohio, in 1813.

John T. Stewart was born in 1781 and after coming to this state he and his brother purchased five hundred acres of land, which was divided between them. It was all in the wild ‘woods and was destitute of any improvements placed there by the white man. He first erected a log house and in 1823 he erected a brick residence, which is still standing and is used to-day. In the family were ten children. Our subject was the seventh son and eighth child. Nine of the children grew to-years of maturity and six are still living. Perry was a soldier of the Civil war and captain of Company A, Ninety-fourth Ohio Infantry, and is now living in Springfield; has served two terms as county commissioner and for one term ‘represented his district in the state legislature. Elder R. is also living in Springfield. Samuel died in Hardin county, Ohio, in 1888. Charles died in Springfield October 26, 1902. James M. served for two terms as probate judge of Greene county, Ohio, and is living in Xenia, where he is a prominent attorney. Thomas E., who was first lieutenant in a company in the One Hundred and Thirty-fifth Ohio Infantry, is now liv- ` ing in Green township. Oscar N. is the next of the family. William C. is living in Springfield. Harriet died in infancy. Julia, who was born in December, 1815, being the eldest of the family, became the wife of.

David Anderson and lived in Green township until her death. The father was at time a supporter of the Whig party and left its ranks to become a member of the Liberty party. He was a very strong temperance man and was opposed to oppression in any form. Upon the organization of

Green township he became its first clerk and served in that capacity for several terms. When the Presbyterian church of Clifton was organized he also became its first clerk and filled the position for several years. He was likewise justice of the peace for twenty-three years-and though he tried many cases only one of his decisions was ever reversed. He was likewise associate judge for one term and thus figured prominently in public affairs, leaving the impress of his individuality upon the judicial history and upon the general progress of his community. He died April 16, 1850.

Oscar N. Stewart spent his. boyhood. days upon the home farm in Green township and during that period acquired a good common school education. When about twenty-two years of age he started out in life on his own account. His father had become an extensive land owner and he inherited from his estate a tract of one hundred and forty acres. To the development and cultivation of this he devoted his energies until the 23rd of April, 1861. Almost immediately following the outbreak of the Civil war, in response to President Lincoln's first call for volunteers, Mr. Stewart offered his services to the government, becoming a member of Company E, Sixteenth Ohio Infantry, under command of Captain Philip Kershner. He was with that regiment for about four months and was with the division that was at Phillippi and Carricks Ford. On the expiration of his term of service he returned home.

On the 28th of January, 1862, Mr. Stewart was married to Miss Rachel Nichelson, of Harmony township, Clark county, where she was born, a daughter of Andrew and Rachel (Hammond) Nichelson. They. lived upon his farm in Green township until

1884, and he and his wife owning altogether more than eight hundred acres of land. in the year mentioned they removed to his present home in Plattsburg, where Mr. Stewart erected a fine residence, and has since practically lived retired although he has valuable and extensive farming interest.

The home of Mr. and Mrs. Stewart has been blessed with three children who grew to maturity. Herbert P., the eldest, married Miss Armina Tuttle and resides in Green township. They have four sons, Ira, Roy, Walter and- Arthur. Ralph, who is secretary of the Mutual Aid Society and resides in Springfield, married Miss Grace Carlton and they have one sun, Oscar Carlton. Frank E. who complete the family, is at home. /

Mr. Stewart votes with the Republican party, having endorsed its principles since the time when John C. Fremont was its first candidate in 1856. He belongs to the Christian church at Plattsburg and is one of its deacons. He is also a member of Wilson Post, No. 602, G. A.-R.,:at Vienna Crossroads. He has filled all of the chairs in the local post and has attended the national reunions held at Philadelphia and Columbus. He also visited the Centennial Exposition in Philadelphia in.1876 and the World's Columbian Exposition in 1893.

As printed in A Biographical Record of Clark County Ohio (1902). See the original pages. Wording is the original; obvious scanning errors have been corrected, and a few may remain.