Becker, John 18_8 - 1899

BECKER, KAUFFMANN

Posted By: Reid R. Johnson (email)
Date: 12/18/2020 at 21:21:04

Elkader Register, Thur., 26 Jan. 1899. From the Guttenberg Press, undated.

John Becker was born in Vorheim, Province of Pommern, Stadien Creiss Kingdom of Prussia, July 7, 18_8, and at seven years of age, he crossed the Atlantic ocean with his parents, landing at Castle Garden, New York. His parents then came to Iowa and settled in Clayton county on a farm about a mile north of Millville, now owned by August Brockman, when after nine years, the parents moved to Minnesota where they resided until their death. On June 15, 1873, he was married to Miss Helen Kauffmann, by this union six children were born - three sons and three daughters, all of whom survive the father. He began a mercantile business in Millville in October 1874, which, though small at first has constantly increased until he has become widely known all through his own and adjoining counties. Until about two years ago, he was strong and energetic, prosecuting his business to its utmost, when he began to be a sufferer from kidney and liver diseases; but though so often advised to desist from his labors, so anxious was he that his business should prosper to the last days of his life, burdened with dropsy, he still stood at the helm and even managed its each detail with constant care. His endurance has been a marvel to all who knew him, and a surprise to those who had charge over him. Medical skill went to its limits but only to prolong his days for a brief space, for the disease was incurable. He went to Excelsior Springs, Mo., to Prairie du Chien, Wis., to Dubuque and Presbyterian Hospital at Chicago, besides having the constant and watchful care of his family physician. A week ago Monday he went to Dubuque where he contracted a cold which terminated in catarrhal pneumonia. He died January 19, 1899, at 3 o'clock a.m. He leaves a widow, three sons and three daughters, a comfort to the mother in her declining years, and a brother, now living in Minnesota, to mourn his death. Business men will miss a business man, a brother will miss a noble brother, a wife will miss a loving husband, children will miss an indulgent father, friends will miss a faithful friend and the world will miss not only a genial and smiling face but a man who sympathized with suffering fellow humanity, and a heart and hand that bore bravely with his "fellow toilers of the sea." The funeral took place on Saturday, January 21, 1899, at 2 p.m. at Millville under the auspices of the A.O.U.W., of which he was a charter member. Rev. F. F. Bushbell was the officiating clergyman. His remains were interred in the Dittmer burying ground. The funeral was very largely attended by his friends from far and near. He has lived a good life and may he rest in peace in the land where troubles are unknown.

Go lay him away from his sorrow and heartaches,
Tenderly lay him away from life's storm.
Hoping that God in his infinite justice
Will call him to life on a beautiful morn.

Guttenberg Press, undated.