Veteran Official Was Serving 36th Consecutive Year as City Clerk
LONG, HONORABLE CAREER
William Becker, 86, well known pioneer of Columbus who was completing his 35th consecutive year as city clerk, passed away at 12:15 a.m. today in Columbus hospital to which he had been removed from his home at 2715 Sixteenth street, following a strock of apoplexy last Monday evening. The stroke left him unconscious and he lay in a state of coma until death came.
To him belonged the distinction of being the oldest city clerk, both in age and in years of continuous service, in any of the larger cities in Nebraska.
His was a record of exceptional fealty to a public trust. First elected city clerk in April 1893, he discharged his duties so faithfully and conscientiously that he was reelected time after time, serving continuously until his death. He was a life-long democrat, but so popular among the voters of the city, regardless of their political affiliations, that during the last 20 years of more he was made the nominee of both parties and was reelected by common consent without opposition.
No Vacation in 30 Years
During the first 30 years of his service as city clerk, he never took a vacation and was never absent from a meeting of the city council. In recognition of this unprecedented devotion to duty, the council voted him a special salary bonus of $100 on the condition that….
Commenced to fail and he experienced a slight stroke of apoplexy, but within days he was at work again in his office. A year ago last November he suffered a general breakdown and was bedfast for a week or more, but recovered sufficiently so that he resumed his duties about a month later. By last May his health had failed to such extent that it was only because of his indomitable will that he was able to be at his office. The council at that time appointed Wm. Kurt as assistant city clerk to relieve Mr. Becker of the burden of the routine responsibilities so that he might be free to put in only such time at the office as the condition of his health would permit. The habit of the years was strong upon him, and though he had become so feeble that he could no longer apply himself to daily tasks, he continued to visit the office almost daily even during extremely cold weather, and sign official papers until three weeks ago when he suffered another stroke of apoplexy, after which he was confined to his home.
Came Here 66 Years Ago
Mr. Becker was number among the early pioneers of Columbus, having come here 66 years ago. With the exception of three years that he later spent in Omaha and St. Louis, he lived here throughout all the intervening time until his death. His brother, the late J. P. Becker, was one of the original founders of Columbus - a member of the band of 13 pioneers who laid out the townsite in 1856 - and the Becker name is prominently identified with the history and development of the city.
Born in Columbus, O., July 20th 1842, William Becker grew to manhood there, receiving his education in the Columbus, O., schools. In an accident when he was less than a year old, his right hip was injured, leaving him permanently lame, a physical condition which later prevented his enlistment in the civil war.
Having attained his majority, he left the family home in Columbus, O., Mar. 6, 1863, to come west to visit his brother, J. P. Becker, in the frontier village of Columbus, Neb. The last part of the trip, from Omaha, was made by stage coach. He liked the west so well that he never returned to Ohio. After a short time here, he went to Omaha where he followed his trade as a shoemaker for a year. He later spent two years in St. Louis and then returned to make his home here.
Enters Business Field
On his return to Columbus, he became one of the prominent pioneer businessmen of the town engaging in the shoe business on Seventh street, which was then the chief business street of the village.
From 1870 to 1877 he was associated with his brother in the grocery and grain business on Eleventh street, which had become the business center of town.
Thirteenth street was then beginning to come into prominence as a business street and in 1877 he went into the grocery business in the Becker block of Thirteenth street and Twenty-third avenue, the site now occupied by the Ulry-Talbert Wholesale Grocery company. From 1877 to 1892, he devoted his time chiefly to the grocery business, but for awhile had an implement and a flour and feed store on Twenty-seventh avenue, south of the Friedhof & Co. store. He left the retail business field when he was elected city clerk in 1893.
He was the city’s first librarian, handling that work in connection with his duties as city clerk for the first year after the library was founded. The books at that time were kept in the “city hall” which was then located on the second floor of the Gray building, now occupied by the Farmers State bank.
Band and Fire Department
Mr. Becker was one of the first members of the Columbus city band, playing the bass drum during the first few years after its organization in the ‘70s. He was also one of the first members of Engine company No. 1 of the Columbus fire department and was an honorary member at the time of his death.
On Nov. 19, 1874, he married Miss Sophia E. Reese, who was also a member of one of the pioneer families of Columbus.
Charter Member Immanuel Church
Mr. Becker had been reared in the Lutheran faith and he and Mrs. Becker were among the group of families who joined with Rev. Herman Meissler in the organization of the Immanuel Lutheran congregation in 1883. Mr. Becker was also one of the incorporators of the church when it was incoporated in 1887.
Some 20 years or more ago Mr. and Mrs. Becker affiliated with the Presbyterian church because their children did not fully understand the German language in which the services at Immanuel church were conducted. They later became members of the Federated church when the union of the local Presbyterian and Congregational churches was effected.
In November, 1924, Mr. and Mrs. Becker celebrated their golden…..
Mr. Becker leaves his wife; two sons, Karl Becker, a member of the firm of Friedhof & Co., and Paul Becker, instructor in physical education in Joliet, ILL., high school; one daughter, Miss Anna Elizabeth Becker, at home; one sister, Miss Rebecca Becker, of Columbus, O., and two grandsons, Frank of Omaha, and Karl, Jr., at home.
Endowed with a high sense of honor and always cheerful and pleasant in his dealings with his fellowmen, Mr. Becker was held in the highest regard by all who knew him.
Funeral Wednesday
Funeral services will be held at the Federated church at 2:30 p.m. Wednesday, Rev. Walter H. Riley, pastor of the church, officiating. Burial will be made in the Columbus cemetery.
Officials to Attend Funeral – All city officials will attend the funeral of William Becker, veteran city clerk, which will be held at the Federated church at 2:30 p.m. tomorrow, Rev. Walter H. Riley, pastor of the church officiating. The officials will meet at the city hall at 2 p.m. and go in body from there to the church. In respect to the memory of Mr. Becker, who was serving his 36th consecutive year as city clerk at the time of this death, the city offices will be closed from 2 until 4 p.m. tomorrow.
Members of the Columbus fire department will also probably attend he funeral in a body, as they have called a special department meeting for this evening to make arrangements. Mr. Becker was one of the first members of the department, having joined Engine company No. 1 when its constitution was adopted in September 1873. He was an honorary member at the time of his death.
Contributor: Dan Reese (47716183) •
LONG, HONORABLE CAREER
William Becker, 86, well known pioneer of Columbus who was completing his 35th consecutive year as city clerk, passed away at 12:15 a.m. today in Columbus hospital to which he had been removed from his home at 2715 Sixteenth street, following a strock of apoplexy last Monday evening. The stroke left him unconscious and he lay in a state of coma until death came.
To him belonged the distinction of being the oldest city clerk, both in age and in years of continuous service, in any of the larger cities in Nebraska.
His was a record of exceptional fealty to a public trust. First elected city clerk in April 1893, he discharged his duties so faithfully and conscientiously that he was reelected time after time, serving continuously until his death. He was a life-long democrat, but so popular among the voters of the city, regardless of their political affiliations, that during the last 20 years of more he was made the nominee of both parties and was reelected by common consent without opposition.
No Vacation in 30 Years
During the first 30 years of his service as city clerk, he never took a vacation and was never absent from a meeting of the city council. In recognition of this unprecedented devotion to duty, the council voted him a special salary bonus of $100 on the condition that….
Commenced to fail and he experienced a slight stroke of apoplexy, but within days he was at work again in his office. A year ago last November he suffered a general breakdown and was bedfast for a week or more, but recovered sufficiently so that he resumed his duties about a month later. By last May his health had failed to such extent that it was only because of his indomitable will that he was able to be at his office. The council at that time appointed Wm. Kurt as assistant city clerk to relieve Mr. Becker of the burden of the routine responsibilities so that he might be free to put in only such time at the office as the condition of his health would permit. The habit of the years was strong upon him, and though he had become so feeble that he could no longer apply himself to daily tasks, he continued to visit the office almost daily even during extremely cold weather, and sign official papers until three weeks ago when he suffered another stroke of apoplexy, after which he was confined to his home.
Came Here 66 Years Ago
Mr. Becker was number among the early pioneers of Columbus, having come here 66 years ago. With the exception of three years that he later spent in Omaha and St. Louis, he lived here throughout all the intervening time until his death. His brother, the late J. P. Becker, was one of the original founders of Columbus - a member of the band of 13 pioneers who laid out the townsite in 1856 - and the Becker name is prominently identified with the history and development of the city.
Born in Columbus, O., July 20th 1842, William Becker grew to manhood there, receiving his education in the Columbus, O., schools. In an accident when he was less than a year old, his right hip was injured, leaving him permanently lame, a physical condition which later prevented his enlistment in the civil war.
Having attained his majority, he left the family home in Columbus, O., Mar. 6, 1863, to come west to visit his brother, J. P. Becker, in the frontier village of Columbus, Neb. The last part of the trip, from Omaha, was made by stage coach. He liked the west so well that he never returned to Ohio. After a short time here, he went to Omaha where he followed his trade as a shoemaker for a year. He later spent two years in St. Louis and then returned to make his home here.
Enters Business Field
On his return to Columbus, he became one of the prominent pioneer businessmen of the town engaging in the shoe business on Seventh street, which was then the chief business street of the village.
From 1870 to 1877 he was associated with his brother in the grocery and grain business on Eleventh street, which had become the business center of town.
Thirteenth street was then beginning to come into prominence as a business street and in 1877 he went into the grocery business in the Becker block of Thirteenth street and Twenty-third avenue, the site now occupied by the Ulry-Talbert Wholesale Grocery company. From 1877 to 1892, he devoted his time chiefly to the grocery business, but for awhile had an implement and a flour and feed store on Twenty-seventh avenue, south of the Friedhof & Co. store. He left the retail business field when he was elected city clerk in 1893.
He was the city’s first librarian, handling that work in connection with his duties as city clerk for the first year after the library was founded. The books at that time were kept in the “city hall” which was then located on the second floor of the Gray building, now occupied by the Farmers State bank.
Band and Fire Department
Mr. Becker was one of the first members of the Columbus city band, playing the bass drum during the first few years after its organization in the ‘70s. He was also one of the first members of Engine company No. 1 of the Columbus fire department and was an honorary member at the time of his death.
On Nov. 19, 1874, he married Miss Sophia E. Reese, who was also a member of one of the pioneer families of Columbus.
Charter Member Immanuel Church
Mr. Becker had been reared in the Lutheran faith and he and Mrs. Becker were among the group of families who joined with Rev. Herman Meissler in the organization of the Immanuel Lutheran congregation in 1883. Mr. Becker was also one of the incorporators of the church when it was incoporated in 1887.
Some 20 years or more ago Mr. and Mrs. Becker affiliated with the Presbyterian church because their children did not fully understand the German language in which the services at Immanuel church were conducted. They later became members of the Federated church when the union of the local Presbyterian and Congregational churches was effected.
In November, 1924, Mr. and Mrs. Becker celebrated their golden…..
Mr. Becker leaves his wife; two sons, Karl Becker, a member of the firm of Friedhof & Co., and Paul Becker, instructor in physical education in Joliet, ILL., high school; one daughter, Miss Anna Elizabeth Becker, at home; one sister, Miss Rebecca Becker, of Columbus, O., and two grandsons, Frank of Omaha, and Karl, Jr., at home.
Endowed with a high sense of honor and always cheerful and pleasant in his dealings with his fellowmen, Mr. Becker was held in the highest regard by all who knew him.
Funeral Wednesday
Funeral services will be held at the Federated church at 2:30 p.m. Wednesday, Rev. Walter H. Riley, pastor of the church, officiating. Burial will be made in the Columbus cemetery.
Officials to Attend Funeral – All city officials will attend the funeral of William Becker, veteran city clerk, which will be held at the Federated church at 2:30 p.m. tomorrow, Rev. Walter H. Riley, pastor of the church officiating. The officials will meet at the city hall at 2 p.m. and go in body from there to the church. In respect to the memory of Mr. Becker, who was serving his 36th consecutive year as city clerk at the time of this death, the city offices will be closed from 2 until 4 p.m. tomorrow.
Members of the Columbus fire department will also probably attend he funeral in a body, as they have called a special department meeting for this evening to make arrangements. Mr. Becker was one of the first members of the department, having joined Engine company No. 1 when its constitution was adopted in September 1873. He was an honorary member at the time of his death.
Contributor: Dan Reese (47716183) •
Veteran Official Was Serving 36th Consecutive Year as City Clerk
LONG, HONORABLE CAREER
William Becker, 86, well known pioneer of Columbus who was completing his 35th consecutive year as city clerk, passed away at 12:15 a.m. today in Columbus hospital to which he had been removed from his home at 2715 Sixteenth street, following a strock of apoplexy last Monday evening. The stroke left him unconscious and he lay in a state of coma until death came.
To him belonged the distinction of being the oldest city clerk, both in age and in years of continuous service, in any of the larger cities in Nebraska.
His was a record of exceptional fealty to a public trust. First elected city clerk in April 1893, he discharged his duties so faithfully and conscientiously that he was reelected time after time, serving continuously until his death. He was a life-long democrat, but so popular among the voters of the city, regardless of their political affiliations, that during the last 20 years of more he was made the nominee of both parties and was reelected by common consent without opposition.
No Vacation in 30 Years
During the first 30 years of his service as city clerk, he never took a vacation and was never absent from a meeting of the city council. In recognition of this unprecedented devotion to duty, the council voted him a special salary bonus of $100 on the condition that….
Commenced to fail and he experienced a slight stroke of apoplexy, but within days he was at work again in his office. A year ago last November he suffered a general breakdown and was bedfast for a week or more, but recovered sufficiently so that he resumed his duties about a month later. By last May his health had failed to such extent that it was only because of his indomitable will that he was able to be at his office. The council at that time appointed Wm. Kurt as assistant city clerk to relieve Mr. Becker of the burden of the routine responsibilities so that he might be free to put in only such time at the office as the condition of his health would permit. The habit of the years was strong upon him, and though he had become so feeble that he could no longer apply himself to daily tasks, he continued to visit the office almost daily even during extremely cold weather, and sign official papers until three weeks ago when he suffered another stroke of apoplexy, after which he was confined to his home.
Came Here 66 Years Ago
Mr. Becker was number among the early pioneers of Columbus, having come here 66 years ago. With the exception of three years that he later spent in Omaha and St. Louis, he lived here throughout all the intervening time until his death. His brother, the late J. P. Becker, was one of the original founders of Columbus - a member of the band of 13 pioneers who laid out the townsite in 1856 - and the Becker name is prominently identified with the history and development of the city.
Born in Columbus, O., July 20th 1842, William Becker grew to manhood there, receiving his education in the Columbus, O., schools. In an accident when he was less than a year old, his right hip was injured, leaving him permanently lame, a physical condition which later prevented his enlistment in the civil war.
Having attained his majority, he left the family home in Columbus, O., Mar. 6, 1863, to come west to visit his brother, J. P. Becker, in the frontier village of Columbus, Neb. The last part of the trip, from Omaha, was made by stage coach. He liked the west so well that he never returned to Ohio. After a short time here, he went to Omaha where he followed his trade as a shoemaker for a year. He later spent two years in St. Louis and then returned to make his home here.
Enters Business Field
On his return to Columbus, he became one of the prominent pioneer businessmen of the town engaging in the shoe business on Seventh street, which was then the chief business street of the village.
From 1870 to 1877 he was associated with his brother in the grocery and grain business on Eleventh street, which had become the business center of town.
Thirteenth street was then beginning to come into prominence as a business street and in 1877 he went into the grocery business in the Becker block of Thirteenth street and Twenty-third avenue, the site now occupied by the Ulry-Talbert Wholesale Grocery company. From 1877 to 1892, he devoted his time chiefly to the grocery business, but for awhile had an implement and a flour and feed store on Twenty-seventh avenue, south of the Friedhof & Co. store. He left the retail business field when he was elected city clerk in 1893.
He was the city’s first librarian, handling that work in connection with his duties as city clerk for the first year after the library was founded. The books at that time were kept in the “city hall” which was then located on the second floor of the Gray building, now occupied by the Farmers State bank.
Band and Fire Department
Mr. Becker was one of the first members of the Columbus city band, playing the bass drum during the first few years after its organization in the ‘70s. He was also one of the first members of Engine company No. 1 of the Columbus fire department and was an honorary member at the time of his death.
On Nov. 19, 1874, he married Miss Sophia E. Reese, who was also a member of one of the pioneer families of Columbus.
Charter Member Immanuel Church
Mr. Becker had been reared in the Lutheran faith and he and Mrs. Becker were among the group of families who joined with Rev. Herman Meissler in the organization of the Immanuel Lutheran congregation in 1883. Mr. Becker was also one of the incorporators of the church when it was incoporated in 1887.
Some 20 years or more ago Mr. and Mrs. Becker affiliated with the Presbyterian church because their children did not fully understand the German language in which the services at Immanuel church were conducted. They later became members of the Federated church when the union of the local Presbyterian and Congregational churches was effected.
In November, 1924, Mr. and Mrs. Becker celebrated their golden…..
Mr. Becker leaves his wife; two sons, Karl Becker, a member of the firm of Friedhof & Co., and Paul Becker, instructor in physical education in Joliet, ILL., high school; one daughter, Miss Anna Elizabeth Becker, at home; one sister, Miss Rebecca Becker, of Columbus, O., and two grandsons, Frank of Omaha, and Karl, Jr., at home.
Endowed with a high sense of honor and always cheerful and pleasant in his dealings with his fellowmen, Mr. Becker was held in the highest regard by all who knew him.
Funeral Wednesday
Funeral services will be held at the Federated church at 2:30 p.m. Wednesday, Rev. Walter H. Riley, pastor of the church, officiating. Burial will be made in the Columbus cemetery.
Officials to Attend Funeral – All city officials will attend the funeral of William Becker, veteran city clerk, which will be held at the Federated church at 2:30 p.m. tomorrow, Rev. Walter H. Riley, pastor of the church officiating. The officials will meet at the city hall at 2 p.m. and go in body from there to the church. In respect to the memory of Mr. Becker, who was serving his 36th consecutive year as city clerk at the time of this death, the city offices will be closed from 2 until 4 p.m. tomorrow.
Members of the Columbus fire department will also probably attend he funeral in a body, as they have called a special department meeting for this evening to make arrangements. Mr. Becker was one of the first members of the department, having joined Engine company No. 1 when its constitution was adopted in September 1873. He was an honorary member at the time of his death.
Contributor: Dan Reese (47716183) •
LONG, HONORABLE CAREER
William Becker, 86, well known pioneer of Columbus who was completing his 35th consecutive year as city clerk, passed away at 12:15 a.m. today in Columbus hospital to which he had been removed from his home at 2715 Sixteenth street, following a strock of apoplexy last Monday evening. The stroke left him unconscious and he lay in a state of coma until death came.
To him belonged the distinction of being the oldest city clerk, both in age and in years of continuous service, in any of the larger cities in Nebraska.
His was a record of exceptional fealty to a public trust. First elected city clerk in April 1893, he discharged his duties so faithfully and conscientiously that he was reelected time after time, serving continuously until his death. He was a life-long democrat, but so popular among the voters of the city, regardless of their political affiliations, that during the last 20 years of more he was made the nominee of both parties and was reelected by common consent without opposition.
No Vacation in 30 Years
During the first 30 years of his service as city clerk, he never took a vacation and was never absent from a meeting of the city council. In recognition of this unprecedented devotion to duty, the council voted him a special salary bonus of $100 on the condition that….
Commenced to fail and he experienced a slight stroke of apoplexy, but within days he was at work again in his office. A year ago last November he suffered a general breakdown and was bedfast for a week or more, but recovered sufficiently so that he resumed his duties about a month later. By last May his health had failed to such extent that it was only because of his indomitable will that he was able to be at his office. The council at that time appointed Wm. Kurt as assistant city clerk to relieve Mr. Becker of the burden of the routine responsibilities so that he might be free to put in only such time at the office as the condition of his health would permit. The habit of the years was strong upon him, and though he had become so feeble that he could no longer apply himself to daily tasks, he continued to visit the office almost daily even during extremely cold weather, and sign official papers until three weeks ago when he suffered another stroke of apoplexy, after which he was confined to his home.
Came Here 66 Years Ago
Mr. Becker was number among the early pioneers of Columbus, having come here 66 years ago. With the exception of three years that he later spent in Omaha and St. Louis, he lived here throughout all the intervening time until his death. His brother, the late J. P. Becker, was one of the original founders of Columbus - a member of the band of 13 pioneers who laid out the townsite in 1856 - and the Becker name is prominently identified with the history and development of the city.
Born in Columbus, O., July 20th 1842, William Becker grew to manhood there, receiving his education in the Columbus, O., schools. In an accident when he was less than a year old, his right hip was injured, leaving him permanently lame, a physical condition which later prevented his enlistment in the civil war.
Having attained his majority, he left the family home in Columbus, O., Mar. 6, 1863, to come west to visit his brother, J. P. Becker, in the frontier village of Columbus, Neb. The last part of the trip, from Omaha, was made by stage coach. He liked the west so well that he never returned to Ohio. After a short time here, he went to Omaha where he followed his trade as a shoemaker for a year. He later spent two years in St. Louis and then returned to make his home here.
Enters Business Field
On his return to Columbus, he became one of the prominent pioneer businessmen of the town engaging in the shoe business on Seventh street, which was then the chief business street of the village.
From 1870 to 1877 he was associated with his brother in the grocery and grain business on Eleventh street, which had become the business center of town.
Thirteenth street was then beginning to come into prominence as a business street and in 1877 he went into the grocery business in the Becker block of Thirteenth street and Twenty-third avenue, the site now occupied by the Ulry-Talbert Wholesale Grocery company. From 1877 to 1892, he devoted his time chiefly to the grocery business, but for awhile had an implement and a flour and feed store on Twenty-seventh avenue, south of the Friedhof & Co. store. He left the retail business field when he was elected city clerk in 1893.
He was the city’s first librarian, handling that work in connection with his duties as city clerk for the first year after the library was founded. The books at that time were kept in the “city hall” which was then located on the second floor of the Gray building, now occupied by the Farmers State bank.
Band and Fire Department
Mr. Becker was one of the first members of the Columbus city band, playing the bass drum during the first few years after its organization in the ‘70s. He was also one of the first members of Engine company No. 1 of the Columbus fire department and was an honorary member at the time of his death.
On Nov. 19, 1874, he married Miss Sophia E. Reese, who was also a member of one of the pioneer families of Columbus.
Charter Member Immanuel Church
Mr. Becker had been reared in the Lutheran faith and he and Mrs. Becker were among the group of families who joined with Rev. Herman Meissler in the organization of the Immanuel Lutheran congregation in 1883. Mr. Becker was also one of the incorporators of the church when it was incoporated in 1887.
Some 20 years or more ago Mr. and Mrs. Becker affiliated with the Presbyterian church because their children did not fully understand the German language in which the services at Immanuel church were conducted. They later became members of the Federated church when the union of the local Presbyterian and Congregational churches was effected.
In November, 1924, Mr. and Mrs. Becker celebrated their golden…..
Mr. Becker leaves his wife; two sons, Karl Becker, a member of the firm of Friedhof & Co., and Paul Becker, instructor in physical education in Joliet, ILL., high school; one daughter, Miss Anna Elizabeth Becker, at home; one sister, Miss Rebecca Becker, of Columbus, O., and two grandsons, Frank of Omaha, and Karl, Jr., at home.
Endowed with a high sense of honor and always cheerful and pleasant in his dealings with his fellowmen, Mr. Becker was held in the highest regard by all who knew him.
Funeral Wednesday
Funeral services will be held at the Federated church at 2:30 p.m. Wednesday, Rev. Walter H. Riley, pastor of the church, officiating. Burial will be made in the Columbus cemetery.
Officials to Attend Funeral – All city officials will attend the funeral of William Becker, veteran city clerk, which will be held at the Federated church at 2:30 p.m. tomorrow, Rev. Walter H. Riley, pastor of the church officiating. The officials will meet at the city hall at 2 p.m. and go in body from there to the church. In respect to the memory of Mr. Becker, who was serving his 36th consecutive year as city clerk at the time of this death, the city offices will be closed from 2 until 4 p.m. tomorrow.
Members of the Columbus fire department will also probably attend he funeral in a body, as they have called a special department meeting for this evening to make arrangements. Mr. Becker was one of the first members of the department, having joined Engine company No. 1 when its constitution was adopted in September 1873. He was an honorary member at the time of his death.
Contributor: Dan Reese (47716183) •
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