Saturday, October 4, 2008

Salem Cemetery Lot No. 29: Jacob Becker, Owner

There are seven marked graves on the Jacob Becker lot, those of Jacob and his wife, Catherine M.; their son Henry Becker, who died as a young man; their son Peter and his wife, Catherine W. (Schreck) Becker; and two children of Peter and Catherine, Ralph John, who died in infancy, and Carrie Becker Ellis. The inscriptions here were read from north to south.

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Ralph John Becker's small stone contains no information other than the word "INFANT" carved into its top. Lucas County newspaper records show that Ralph John was born and died on 19 March 1915.

DEATH NOTICE: RALPH JOHN BECKER
The Chariton Patriot, 25 March 1915

Mr. and Mrs. Peter Becker, of Benton township, are mourning the loss of their infant son, Ralph John, born to them Friday, March 19th and who passed away the same day. The hearts that were full of happy anticipation are now filled with sorrow. Short services were held at Salem church Sunday morning and interment was made in the Salem cemetery. Many relatives and friends extend sympathy to Mr. and Mrs. Becker and family.

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CARRIE BECKER
ELLIS

Nov. 3, 1901
June 2, 1981

OBITUARY: CARRIE (BECKER/PATTERSON) ELLIS
Undated clipping, Lucas County Genealogical Society collection

Carrie Emma Ellis, daughter of Peter and Catherine Schreck Becker, was born on Nov. 3, 1901 and passed away at Mercy Medical Center in Des Moines on June 2, 1981, where she had been a patient for the past month following a heart attack and a stroke.

Carrie was united in marriage to Creed L. Patterson on Oct. 10, 1920. To this union two sons were born, Richard L. and Lester L. Patterson.

Surviving are one son, Lester, and wife Betty of Des Moines; one daughter-in-law, Mildred Patterson Brabst of Panora; three grandsons, Larry, Robert and Steven Patterson, all of Des Moines; one granddaughter, Patti Park of Las Vegas, Nev.; four great-grandchildren, Laura Jean and Shawn Patterson of Des Moines, and Tim and Chris Park of Las Vegas; a sister, Mrs. Marie Langford of Indianola; a brother, Herbert Becker of Shelby; and a host of other relatives and friends.

She was preceded in death by her parents, one sister, her husband Evan and one son, Richard, in World War II.

Carrie spent most of her life in Lucas county. The last two years were spent in Polk and Warren counties.

Funeral services were held at 11 a.m. Saturday, June 6, 1981, at the Fielding Funeral Home with the Rev. Ronald Stein conducting. Burial was in the Salem Cemetery.

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A single stone marks the graves of Peter Becker, buried to its south, and Catherine W., buried to its north. The location of Peter's grave is shown by a small headstone inscribed "Father." There is no similar stone for Catherine.

BECKER
PETER
1866-1919
CATHERINE W., His Wife
1875-1951

DEATH NOTICE: PETER BECKER
The Chariton Leader, 6 June 1919

Peter Becker, of Benton township, died quite suddenly on Monday afternoon of what the physicians pronounced hardening of the arteries. He took suddenly ill and expired within the course of a couple of hours, last Monday, after suffering intensely. The funeral was held at the Salem church on Wednesday afternoon at 3 o'clock. Mr. Becker's father and mother died suddenly, years ago, which is
somewhat of a coincidence. His mother was on her way to Chariton when she expired. Mr. Becker leaves a wife and grown family of children. Thus it is that we record the departure of another good citizen."

OBITUARY: PETER BECKER
The Chariton Leader, 12 June 1919

Peter Becker, son of Jacob and Katharine Becker, was born in Florence township, Stephenson county, Illinois, April 19, 1866. When about two years of age he, with his parents, moved to a farm near Russell, Iowa., in Benton Township, Lucas county. This place has since been his home. Here he died at 5:30 p.m. on June 2, 1919, at the age of 53 years, 1 month and 14 days. He was in failing health for several months before his death, but never confined to the house for any length of time and was out about the farm until about three hours before his death, when he was suddenly seized with heart trouble. All that loving hands could do was done for his relief but to no avail. He passed away after intense suffering.

He was married to Katharine Schreck, June 27, 1897. Five children were born to this union --- Mrs. E.H. Fuller, of near Woodburn, Iowa; Marie, Carrie and Herbert, at home, and Ralph, who died in infancy. His father and mother, one brother, Henry, and one sister, Mrs. Mary Lane, also preceded him in death.

Besides his wife and four children he is survived by three brothers, Jacob of HIghmore, S.D., Phillips of Florida, Rhinehart of near Bethlehem, Iowa, and one sister, Mrs. Lizzie Long of Corydon, Iowa, besides other relatives and friends.

In 1910 Mr. (Becker) and family united with the Russell M.E. church, of which he was a member at the time of his death. He was a man of cheerful temperament, inclined to look on the bright side of life and will be greatly missed by those with whom he was closely associated.

Funeral services were held at the Salem M.E. church, Wednesday, June 4th, at 3:00 o'clock, G.W. Koser, pastor, officiating. Interment was in the Salem cemetery."

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The graves of Catherine M. and Jacob Becker are marked by a single stone. Catherine's inscription appears on the stone's north face; Jacob's, on its south.

CATHERINE M.
BECKER
Born in
Germany
Feb. 23, 1836
Died in Lucas Co.
Dec. 8, 1897


I AM
THE LIFE
JACOB BECKER
Born
in
Germany
Jun. 16, 1825
Died in Lucas Co.
Oct. 23, 1893


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Henry Becker's tombstone, located at the extreme south end of the lot, is the oldest stone upon it. I have been unable to find any account of his death.

HENRY
Son of
J. & C. BECKER
DIED
NOV. 6, 1876
AGED
23 Ys, 7 Ms
13 Ds

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