My Genealogy Hound

JOHN BECKER. In the spring of 1848 there started out from Lancaster County, Pa., a courageous emigrant accompanied by his wife and seven children, for the purpose of seeking a home in the farther West. Their outfit consisted of two teams, a covered wagon, and a covered carriage. The journey began May 16, and the travelers arrived at their destination in Clark County on the 3rd of June following. The country was thinly settled, and they stopped wherever night overtook them, camping and cooking by the wayside. They spent the following summer on the Humphrey farm, and in November of that year Mr. Becker purchased from the Government the land now owned and occupied by his widow. At that time the country was very thinly settled, and the wagon track which was dignified by the name of a road, was at times almost impassable, the mud being very deep.

Mr. Becker, however, possessed all the elements of a hardy pioneer, and set about the improvement of his property, with his characteristic energy and perseverance. He was, however, cut down in the midst of his plans, dying six years later, September 13, 1854, and leaving his family to struggle on as best they could without his counsel find assistance. Although his residence in the county was comparatively a brief one, he became widely known for his honesty and uprightness, and the qualities by which he was recognized as an honest man and a good citizen. During the years which have passed since then, Mrs. Becker has maintained her residence on the farm, which, under her careful management, and the assistance of her children, has been the means of a competence. Fifty acres of the land is under good cultivation, while the buildings and other appurtenances are creditable as evincing industry and good management. Although now quite aged, Mrs. Becker still attends to her household duties assisted by her daughter, Lydia, who remains with her. She is a member of the Lutheran Church, and a lady highly respected by a large circle of friends and acquaintances.

Mrs. Elizabeth Becker was born September 14, 1814, in Dauphin County, Pa., and is a daughter of Henry and Barbara (Greiner) Zimmerman, who were likewise natives of the Keystone State, and who spent their last years in Pennsylvania. She was reared in her native county, receiving an ordinary education in its country schools. When a young woman of twenty-one years, she was joined in wedlock with John Becker, the wedding taking place at her home in Pennsylvania, October 21, 1835. Mr. Becker was born in Lancaster County, Pa., May, 19, 1805, and was the son of Henry Becker, a farmer by occupation, and who lived and died in Pennsylvania.

Mr. and Mrs. Becker commenced their wedded life together in their native State, remaining there until after the birth of seven children. After their removal to this State, three more children were added to the household circle. Of this large family eight are living: Solomon is a resident of Cowley County, Kan.; John is farming in German Township, Clark County, this State; Susan is the wife of John Beard, and with her brother Amos, the next younger, is also a resident of Cowley County, Kan.; Lydia has already been mentioned as the main stay of her mother; Joseph is a resident of Springfield Township, this State; William lives near bis brothers in Cowley County, Kan.; Emma is the wife of Lewis Miller, of Tremont City, Ohio; Louisa and Mary died at the ages of twenty-one and three. Louisa was married to William Irwin, of Clark County, and died about three years her marriage, leaving one child named Allace.