Charles L. Becker
Charles L. Becker,--From such gentlemen as the one whose name heads this record an authentic history of the township of Courtland, Kent county, Mich., may be gleaned, Mr. Becker being the leading agriculturist and stock raiser in this part of the county. He was born in Kent county, July 15, 1851, being the third child in a family of four sons, born to Philip and Margaret (Snyder) Becker. Only two of these are now living---Charles L., of this sketch, and Theodore, who is a resident of Grand Rapids.
Philip Becker, father of Charles L., was born in Schoharie county, N. Y., about 1824, and died January 19, 1881. He came to Michigan when nine years of age with his parents, who were among the pioneers of Washtenaw county. Like many other pioneers, Mr. Becker left his beautiful home in the east, forsaking friends and relatives, to carve out a home in the wilderness and to make the far west to "blossom and bloom like a rose." Philip Becker was a man of that Teutonic mold who knew no such word as fail, and that German attribute of character he tried to imbue in the minds of his children. When he came to Kent county, the red men of the forest roamed at will, hunting the deer, bear and pheasant through a country yet in its virginity. Though but twenty years of age, he brought a young wife to this new county. He traded a span of colts for 160 acres of land in section No. 36, Courtland township. Their first habitation was a "shanty," whose only window was a hole in the wall, with a white cloth thrown over it; the bedsteads were constructed of poles driven in the walls, with boards upon them. Indians of times passed by, on their way to northern wilds, after visiting the village of Grand Rapids, where they filled up on fire water, and so loud were their whoops as to often frighten the settlers. Many times they lay upon the kitchen floor of the Becker home. Wild game, such as deer, bear, geese, ducks, pheasants, etc., abounded, and even within the memory of Charles the deer gamboled upon the meadow near the house. The nearest market in those days was Grand Rapids, to which Mr. Becker often walked, carrying home his purchase in bandanna handkerchief. Grain was cut with the old-fashioned cradle, and threshed with the flail. The first school-house was of logs; this was the first church, as well. Conveyance to or from church was by an ox-team. It was a common sight to see six or seven yoke of oxen hitched to a plow, breaking the virgin soil; kindness and hospitality reigned supreme. Mr. and Mrs. Becker were true respecters of all good, moral and religions teachings, and gave liberally of their abundance for the support of the gospel.
Philip worked in a saw-mill for a Mr. Lappen in the village of Lappenville, now Rockford. He was economical and thrifty, purchasing in 1863 an additional unimproved tract of 256 acres in section 27. The deed of Mr. Becker’s land, dated 1844, in the old-fashioned style of chirography, is now in possession of Charles Becker. Philip Becker cared little for politics. He was never sued, nor sued another in his life. In 1875 his health failing, he visited the Pacific slope. The following year he erected a home in Rockford in which to pass his remaining days, leaving his son in charge of the homestead. At his death the Masonic lodge at Rockford expressed their estimate of him as follows:
Masonic Hall, January 23, A. I., 5881.
Rockford Lodge No. 246, F. & A. M.
To Mrs. Philip Becker:--At a special communication of Rockford lodge, No.246, F. & Masons, the following preamble and resolutions were unanimously adopted:
WHEREAS, Death is amongst us—our lodge is in morning. A great calamity has befallen us. Our beloved brother, Philip Becker, is no more. His sun has set, and the evening shades of existence have closed around him forever.
Sadly and tearfully are we called upon to mourn the loss of a good citizen, a kind neighbor and in endearing friend, our lodge of a faithful brother, his wife of a devoted husband and his family of a kind and loving father. And why we deeply mourn ourselves is because our lodge is bereft of a useful member, his widow of an affectionate husband and his family of a kind and indulgent parent, but we feel to console ourselves that he has been called from labor to rest and repose in the
presence of the grand Master on high.
Therefore, Resolved. That we, the officers and members of Rockford lodge, No.
246, F. & A. Masons, express our deep and heartfelt sympathy with the widow and
orphans of our deceased brother.
Resolved. That the preamble and resolutions be entered upon the records of the lodge, a copy furnished the Rockford Register for publication, and a copy under seal of the lodge sent to the widow, of our deceased brother.
H. W. Stimson, Secretary.
The funeral took place at Courtland Center, largely attended by his many personal friends.
Philip Becker came to Kent county poor, but by tact, economy and industry accumulated great wealth, and ever preserved an unsullied name. His wife, Margaret Snyder, was born in Steuben county, N. Y., in January, 1823, and died at Greenville, Mich., May 5, 1898. She possessed those virtues and womanly graces which adorn the life of a grand and noble woman. Her funeral was said to be the largest ever held in Courtland township, there being 153 carriages in the cortege. Above this lamented couple stands sacred to their memory a beautiful and costly marble and Scotch granite monument. The following, from the Rockford Register of May 18, 1898, is a memoirs presented by Miss Eva Peterson.
Bravely struggling through all the discouraging duties of life, they won a home of
much than ordinary joy and comfort. By thrift and industry the wild forest was changed
into broad acres of mellow soil, green meadows and ripening fields of grain, every
deed a mute but potent expression of grand success.
Her husband, Philip Becker, died January 19, 1881, after years of pleasant compan-
Ionship. Mrs. Becker was one who lived the philosophy she taught, a firm believer in
the broad developments of higher life and progression after death. A faithful, devoted
wife and mother, possessing the tender sympathy and wide charity that endeared her to
all who came within the charm of her motherly personality. The far-reaching influence
of the nearness Christ. The light within ensures for her the nameless joys of that fuller
life beyond the portal death. Why should we grieve when time is ripe for those who,
passing on, receive the merit of their well spent life.
April 6, 1876, at Sharon, Mich., Charles L. Becker wedded Miss Martha Sloat, a native of Washtenaw county, and to this marriage there were born two sons and two daughters—twins at each birth. The elder two, Claude G. and Maude D., graduated in the eighth grade in the district school in the class of 1895. Claude taught successfully two years in Kent county, and has recently graduated in pharmacy from Detroit college of Medicine, standing for two years highest in his class. Maude also taught for three years in the home district, and is now a student in Parish’s Business college at Grand Rapids. Lloyd and Lois—the younger twins, are attending the common school.
Mrs. Martha Becker was born February 10, 1847, a daughter of Josiah R. and Mary J. (Faulkner) Sloat. She was educated in the common schools and at the Manchester high school. She is genial and courteous in manner and her tasteful home indicates the careful housewife. Her father was a native of Montgomery, Orange county, N. Y., was a son of David and Charity (Alsduff) Sloat, and died in Michigan, March 8, 1862, aged fifty-six years, eleven months and eleven days. He was a pioneer in Michigan, settling in Washtenaw county, in 1831, where he purchased a farm of 256 acres near Manchester. He was noted for his integrity, his word being considered as good as his bond. Politically he was a democrat; fraternally an Odd Fellow. His wife, who was born in Orange county, N. Y., in 1813, is still living. They had five children; Emeline, wife of Abel Howe, a farmer of Horton, Mich.; Fannie, wife of Milo T. Carpenter, also a farmer of Horton, Mich.; Martha; Josiah R., who resides on part of the old homestead and whose wife is Harriet Smith; De Ette, who died at the age of twenty-eight years; Charles A., a half-brother, resides in Manchester and is married to Hester A. Sherwood.
When Mr. and Mrs. Becker were married he owned eighty acres of land; but taking charge of his father’s homestead soon added to his possessions until he now owns 556 acres in Courtland, Grattan, and Oakland townships. He has made sheep raising a signal success, keeping the profitable Shropshire and fine wool breeds. His clip and lambs for 1898 realized $1,500. He also grows wheat, potatoes, beans, and apples. His shipment of beans alone one season amounted to 900 bushels.
He has taken no active part in politics, having too extensive a private business to desire to do that of the public. Fraternally, he and Claude are members of the Masonic lodge at Rockford, and he is a member of Lowell Moore chapter, No. 88, R. A. M. He is also a Knight Templar in DeMolai commandery, No. 5, at Grand Rapids. Both are also members of DeWitt Clinton consistory of the Valley of Grand Rapids in the Ancient Scottish rite. Mr. Becker, wife and daughter, Maude, are active in Venus chapter, Order of the Eastern Star, at Grattan, said to be the most flourishing chapter in that popular order in the state. Miss Maude sits upon one of the points of the star as "Ada" representing that most unfortunate maiden, Jephtha’s daughter. Besides his great interest in Masonry, Mr. Becker has passed the chairs in a lodge of Odd Fellows.
No more highly esteemed family is known in Courtland than this. Not only the youth of today may profit by their example, but it is hoped the influence to succeeding generations may prove highly beneficial.