John George Becker, one of the best known and most highly
regarded citizens of Virden, Illinois, who has been a prominent factor in
the city's business life for more than 40 years, was born June 15, 1828, in
Bavaria, Germany, and is a son of John Philip Becker, who died in his native
land in 1874, at the age of 74 years.
Until he was 13 years old, our
esteemed subject attended school and laid the foundations upon which
reading, experience and association with the world have built a
comprehensive education. Mr. Becker was the son of a practical farmer, who
encouraged him to learn a self-supporting trade, and before he was 16 years
old he was apprenticed to a local cabinet-maker. He became a skilled workman
and followed his trade in various parts of Germany until 1850, when he came
to America. His passage was taken on the sailing vessel "Calender," from
Havre to New Orleans, which city he finally reached after a long and
wearying voyage of 52 days. The Southern city did not offer the business
opportunities he sought, and after two weeks of sightseeing, he traveled up
the Mississippi River, to St. Louis, where he remained until 1 86 1. At this
time Virden was not the bustling little city it has since become. Mr. Becker
saw here a fine opening as a builder and contractor; taking advantage of it,
he not only assured his own business success, but advanced the interests of
the place. His large building and contracting operations opened the way for
other enterprises and the growth of Virden may be noticed from that time.
The excellence of Mr. Becker's work is shown on every hand, in the
substantial structures planned and erected by him. For many years he stood
at the head of this industry and he holds the record of having erected the
first brick building in Virden. Mr. Becker's enterprise kept up with the
city's increase in financial importance, and the first brick building in
1866 was succeeded by the fine mansions and substantial business houses
which now adorn the city.
In June, 1852, Mr. Becker was married to
Catherine Stecher, who was born in Hesse-Cassel, Germany: Eight children
were born to them, five of whom grew to maturity, namely: Lewis F., Anna,
Amelia, Oscar (deceased) and Carrie. Ida and Wyant died at three years of
age and an infant unnamed died when only two days old. For many years Mr.
Becker has been a Free Mason and is connected with Virden Lodge, No. 161.
Extracted 2018 May 08 by Norma Hass from Biographical Sketches of Leading Citizens of Macoupin County, Illinois, published in 1904, pages 356-357.
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