Biography - John Becker
JOHN BECKER. A merchant and farmer, he was born in Otsego County, NY, on June 10, 1811, the son of Philip and Catherine (Wager) Becker, the former of Otsego County, the latter of Columbia County NY. He spent his childhood on a farm and his educational opportunities were limited to the district schools of his native county. He engaged in the mercantile business at the age of 18 and continued in it until 1866. In 1844, he came to Victoria in this county, and built a store and started a business. In 1845, June 10, he married Mary Jane Smith [the Illinois Statewide Marriage Index lists a John Becker marrying a Mary Jane Smith in Knox County on October 12, 1845], by whom he has had seven children, of whom only three are now living. They removed to Galesburg in 1866. Mr. B.'s attention has been divided between merchandising and farming, he having purchased and managed a large farm which he still owns. He is a Republican.
Contributed by Joan Achille, extracted from the 1878 History of Knox County, Illinois, published by Charles C. Chapman
