[p. 456] who served as sheriff of Lawrence County, Pennsylvania, from 1894 to 1897, has been a resident of New Castle for more than sixty years. He was prominently identified with the business interests of the city for a long term of years, and, although now living in retirement, still retains various property interests. He was born in Germany March 28 1833, and is a son of Christian and Amelia (Krops) Becker.
Christian Becker moved with his family to America in 1842, landing at Baltimore on July 6 of that year. He immediately wended his way westward to Pittsburg, where he worked as journeyman at the blacksmith trade until 1846. In April of the latter year he moved with his family to New Castle, Pa., and, with four sons, worked in the rolling mill. He later established a blacksmith shop of his own and continued at that until his death.
William Becker was nine years of age when brought to America by his parents. Upon their removal to New Castle in 1846, he became a rolling-mill worker and continued as such for nine years. In 1856 he established a meat market in the old market house on the Diamond, where the Soldiers' Monument now stands. He enjoyed a remunerative trade and continued that business with uninterrupted success for a period of thirty years. He then purchased the building now occupied by Brown & Hamilton, and for nine years successfully engaged in the hardware business. At the end of that time he disposed of both building and store, and has since lived in practical retirement. He is still financially interested in the New Castle Wholesale Grocery Company, and is owner of the grounds on which the New Castle Golf Club is located, as well as residence property in the city. He is a man of wide acquaintance through the county, and is held in high esteem. As sheriff he made a record of which he may well feel proud, and added greatly to his popularity among the people.
Mr. Becker was joined in marriage, November 27, 1855, with Miss Belinda Weakley, a daughter of Robert Weakley, who was a soldier in the War of 1812. She was born and reared in Mercer County. The following children were the issue of this marriage: Elizabeth, wife of Hiram Hartsuff; Clara, who died at the age of twenty-seven years; Ida May, wife of Robert C. Howe, and Anna, wife of Harold Blakeley. Fraternally, Mr. Becker has been very active as an Odd Fellow, having become affiliated with that order as early as February 5, 1855; he also is a member of the Masonic Order. He has traveled extensively, both in this country and abroad, having made three trips to Europe, being accompanied by his wife upon two occasions. He is a progressive and public-spirited man and a credit to the community.
20th Century History of New Castle and Lawrence County Pennsylvania and Representative Citizens Hon. Aaron L. Hazen Richmond-Arnold Publishing Company, Chicago, Ill., 1908
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