DIED

BECKER--At his home in this city, Wednesday, January 13, at 12 p.m., after a lingering and painful illness, J.P. Becker, aged 58 years.
John Peter Becker was born in Warsaw, Germany, May 29, 1833; came to America with his parents, when only 5 years of age, they locating at Columbus, Ohio.
He came to Nebraska in 1855, locating first at Omaha; came to Platte county in the winter of 1856. In 1857 he was appointed U.S. Indian agent on the Pawnee reservation at Genoa, succeeding D.H. Wheeler. He served in this capacity only about seven months, when he was relieved by Judge Whaley.
Mr. Becker was the first register of deeds in Platte county--his writing appearing on the first official documents recorded.
He was a member of the state legislature, representing Platte county, the term of 1865-'66. He was also a member of the state constitutional convention in 1875.
He built the flouring mills on Shell creek in 1869, and, with Jonas Welch as a partner, continued to operate them until a few years ago.
Mr. Becker has long been prominently identified with all moves of general interest for Columbus or Platte county. He had an extensive acquaintance not only in this county but throughout central Nebraska. At the time of his death he was a director and one of the heaviest stockholders in the Commercial bank in this city; he was also the largest stockholder of the Thurston hotel. He was president of the Columbus Land, Loan and Improvement Co. Only last season he built the Becker block, corner Twelfth and North street.
Mr. Becker had suffered several years from a cancer which appeared on the foot. January 12, 1891, he submitted to an operation and the leg was amputated below the knee. He quickly rallied and was soon able to be out on crutches, and seemed in better health than for many years. The cancer appeared again, however, and some time last August another operation was performed, this time taking off the leg above the knee.
It was soon found that Mr. Becker could not recover, and he, realizing this fact, arranged all his business affairs, and patiently awaited the end.
Mr. Becker's life for many years past was very closely identified with the history of Platte county, and his many acts of unobtrusive generosity to the poor, destitute and suffering will be cherished by the recipients as among the beautiful evidences of a charity which was genuine, free and hearty.
The funeral which took place Sunday from the late residence, was attended by a large number of neighbors and acquaintances, the spacious dwelling-house being filled, notwithstanding the very severe weather. Rev. Elliott offered a prayer and read the scripture lessons, the choir intoning several hymns and Elder H.J. Hudson, an old friend and neighbor, delivering an address which will be reproduced in The Journal next week, being received too late for this. Mr. Becker's brethren of the Masonic order here, in a body followed the remains to their final resting place, in the Columbus cemetery.
The afflicted relatives cannot be comforted by the sympathy of acquaintances in their sore bereavement, for their loss is irreparable, and those who knew best the inner life of our friend, know how much of courage he inspired in the contests of life, and how his place among us can never be filled. Peace to his memory.

BIO
JOHN PETER BECKER

John Peter Becker, one of the founders of Columbus, Nebraska, was born May 29, 1833, at Warsau, Hesse, Darmstadt, Germany, and when he was five years old, he immigrated to the United States with his parents, George Philip and Rebecca Weis Becker. They located at Columbus, Ohio.

His parents were natives of Warsau, Hesse-Darmstadt, Germany. His father was born March 13, 1804, and died in Columbus, Ohio, January 20, 1852. His mother was born June 4, 1809, and died in Columbus, Ohio, in March, 1888.

John Peter had three brothers and three sisters: John Morris, known as "Fred," George Philip, William, Magaline Elizabeth, Mamie Catherine and Rebecca Elizabeth. "Fred" joined his brother, John Peter, in October, 1856, and died here May 31, 1857. George Philip lived in Columbus, Ohio, and William came to Columbus in 1863, and died here in 1929. Mamie Catherine married Tobias Bauer, an early settler here. They were the parents of Emma, who married F. H. Rusche, a Columbus harness maker. Rebecca was known here as "Aunt Becky."

John P. attended the German Lutheran Parochial School in Columbus, Ohio, until his fifteenth year. He then served an apprenticeship of three years at the carpenter's trade, learning finer finishing by hand.

He was one of a group of ten men from Columbus, Ohio, who early in 1856 joined with three men from Illinois, forming the "Columbus Town Company," in Omaha. These thirteen men arrived here on the evening of May 29, 1856, to found the town of Columbus, Nebraska. That day was also John Peter's twenty-third birthday. In the years that followed, the celebration of May 29 held a twofold significance for the group of founders.

J. P. Becker was identified with much of the early business transacted here. Besides working as a carpenter, he and J. C. Wolfel had a store on Seventh Street, in 1863. Later, he conducted a store at Eleventh and Olive Street, from 1866 to 1872. He sold groceries, implements, grain and flour. In 1872 he sold his grocery and implement stock, and continued his grain and flour business.

In 1867 he formed a partnership with Jonas Welch, and they built the first grist mill in Platte County, on Shell Creek.

Mr. Becker was a member of the Masons, and in politics was affiliated with the Democratic Party. He was the first Recorder of Deeds in Platte County. In 1864 he was a member of the Territorial Legislature. In 1866 he was Pawnee Indian Agent at Genoa, under President Johnson. In 1872 he was a member of the Constitutional Convention, and in 1880 he was Mayor of Columbus for one term. He was a contractor and built the first Platte County Court House in 1870. He also built the Thurston Hotel.

On March 15, 1875, John Peter Becker married Philipina Schram, daughter of Michael and Caroline Drum Schram. Michael Schram was born in Germany, August , 1814, and died in Columbus, Nebraska, August 2, 1894. Mrs. Schram was born in Germany, February 15, 1820, and died in Columbus, June 20, 1894. Philipina was born March 12, 1851, at Massillon, Ohio, and died January , 1935, in Morrison, Illinois. She came to Columbus in 1874 with her parents. She had five brothers and two sisters: Jacob and Michael died in Columbus; John and George died in Seattle, Washington; Daniel, who was connected with the Commercial National Bank here for several years, died in California. Her sisters were named Caroline and Elizabeth.

John Peter and Philipina Schram Becker had four children, all born in Columbus: Caroline Rebecca, born March 6, 1876, died February 3, 1881; Minnie Fredericka, born October 7, 1877; John Peter, Jr., born June 6, 1881, died May 31, 1883; Albert Daniel, born February 15, 1883, married Paulina Bucher, and lives in Columbus. Minnie married William Ellsworth Weaver, and lives in Morrison, Illinois.


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You can find the obit about J.P. Becker from the old newspapers located on the website of Platte County, Nebraska Researchers located HERE it's listed under 1892.

The Bio of his life was taken from M. Curry and is located HERE