From Memorial and Genealogical Record of Dodge and Jefferson Counties, Wisconsin, publ. 
1894 - Page 82-85
 
JOHN BECKER.  As a tiller of the soil the subject of this sketch has met with a good degree of 
success, and in the conduct of his affairs he has been active and energetic and has shown much 
natural ability and intelligence.  His estate comprises 120 acres of fine farming land in Oak Grove 
Township, Dodge County, and he has the satisfaction of knowing that his property has been 
acquired through his own efforts.  He is a native of Germany, and he has inherited many of the 
most worthy traits of that excellent class of people, being thrifty, persevering, and careful in his 
expenditures.  His birth occurred on the 15th of October 1836, and until he was twenty years of 
age the land that gave him birth continued to be his home, during which time he received fair 
educational advantages in his native language, but is wholly self-educated in English.  He had 
heard much of the opportunities which were given to young men in the New World, and here he 
decided to seek his fortune.  He reached the City of New York July 11, 1856, and in the fall of the 
same year came West, and for a short time worked at railroad construction in Cook County, Ill., 
and in the fall of the same year came to Wisconsin.  Later he returned to Illinois and spent about 
three years in the northern part of the State, at the end of which time he once more returned to 
the Badger State and joined his people, who had located in Dodge County in 1856.  His parents 
settled in the township of Herman, where the remainder of their lives were spent.  John BECKER 
remained with his parents a few months, then removed to Dunn County, Wis., where he remained 
for about eight months, and then returned to Dodge County.  After following various occupations 
for some time he, in 1862, opened a saloon in the town of Rubicon and continued in that business 
quite successfully for some seventeen years, during which time his place was known to be 
orderly and well conducted.  Mr. BECKER is well known as an ardent supporter of the Democratic 
party, and served as deputy sheriff under Leslie and Charles END.  In 1880 he was elected to the 
office of sheriff of Dodge County, and served in that capacity during the years of 1881-82, making 
an efficient, intelligent and courageous officer.  He has served as deputy under five different 
sheriffs, and has always been noted as a lover of law and order and also as a public-spirited and 
enterprising citizen.  He served as chairman of Oak Grove Township one year, during the 1884, 
and on various occasions has been a delegate to county and State conventions.  In 1883 he 
bought and located on the farm on which he now resides, which is a well-improved piece of 
property, and therefore valuable.  Mr. BECKER was married in Dodge County February 4, 1861, 
to Miss Paulina SONNENTAG, a native of Germany, who was brought to this country in her 
childhood and grew upon in Dodge County.  Mr. and Mrs. BECKER have a family of six children, 
the eldest of whom, John B., is a successful business man of Juneau; Henry A. is a steady young 
man, and assists his father in the management of the farm; Teresa is the wife of J. P. HINTZ, of 
Neosho, Dodge County, Wis.; Rosa is at home, as are also Eunie and Mollie.
 
Submitted by Carol