Moritz Becker

Moritz Nathan Becker (February 2, 1827 – 1906) was a German American immigrant, produce dealer, and politician. He self-identified as a "Progressive Democrat", then "Liberal Democrat", while serving two terms in the Wisconsin State Assembly during the 1870s.[1]

Moritz N. Becker
Member of the Wisconsin State Assembly
from the Milwaukee 9th district
In office
January 1, 1872 – January 5, 1874
Preceded byValentin Knœll
Succeeded byJohn L. Semmann
Personal details
Born(1827-02-02)February 2, 1827
Gaugrehweiler, Palatinate, Kingdom of Bavaria
Died1906 (aged 78–79)
Milwaukee County, Wisconsin, U.S.
Resting placeSpring Hill Cemetery, Milwaukee
Political partyDemocratic
Spouse
Mina Gutman
​
​
(m. 1863; died 1902)​
Children5 children
Military service
AllegianceKingdom of Bavaria
Branch/serviceBavarian Army
Years of service1848–1849
Rank1st Lieutenant
Battles/warsFirst Schleswig War

Background

Becker was born in Gaugrehweiler, Kingdom of Bavaria on February 2, 1827. He received an academic education, and became a first lieutenant of cavalry in the Bavarian Army, and fought in Schleswig-Holstein during the First Schleswig War. He came to the United States in 1850, lived in New York City for two years, then moved to Milwaukee in 1852.

In 1859, he became a member of the Milwaukee synagogue B'ne Jeshurun when his own Congregation Ansche Emmeth merged with it.[2] He became an active member of the Democratic Party.[3] In 1863 he married Minnie Gutman (1840 - 1902), a native of Württemberg; by 1881, they would have five children.

Public office

For two years Becker was a police justice in Milwaukee. In 1871 he was elected unopposed to the Assembly's 9th Milwaukee County district (the 9th Ward of the City of Milwaukee) as a "Progressive Democrat", succeeding Democrat John L. Semmann. He was assigned to the standing committee on assessment and collection of taxes.[4]

In 1872 Becker was re-elected from the same district, which had added Milwaukee's new 10th Ward, this time as a "Liberal Democrat", with 1,006 votes to 518 for Republican George H. Walther. He was assigned to the committees on ways and means, and on state affairs.[5]

By September 1873, he was officially part of the Liberal Reform Party, a short-lived coalition of Democrats, reform and Liberal Republicans, and Grangers formed in 1873, which secured the election of a Governor of Wisconsin and a number of state legislators.[6][7] He was not a candidate for re-election himself, and was succeeded by Semmann (who defeated a Reform candidate).

After the Assembly

From 1875 to 1877, Becker was a deputy sheriff for Milwaukee County. He later found employment at the Pleasant Valley Distillery in Milwaukee.[8]

In 1888, he was vice-president of a lodge of the Jewish fraternal order Kesher Shel Barzel.[9] As of 1893, the Beckers were both still living in Milwaukee.[10][11]

In 1899, he was elected Secretary of a local B'nai Brith chapter.[12]

References
  1. "Members of the Wisconsin Legislature 1848–1999 State of Wisconsin Legislative Bureau. Information Bulletin 99-1, September 1999. p. 27 Archived 2006-12-09 at the Wayback Machine
  2. "History of B'ne Jeshurun's Seventy Years of Service for Judaism— 1856-1926" Wisconsin Jewish Chronicle February 26, 1926; p. 6, col. 3
  3. "Democratic Caucus of the Ninth Ward" Milwaukee News September 28, 1860; p. 1, col. 5
  4. Turner, A. J., ed. The legislative manual of the state of Wisconsin; comprising Jefferson's manual, rules, forms and laws for the regulation of business; also, lists and tables for reference; Compiled under the direction of the Secretary of State, for 1872 Eleventh Annual Edition. Madison: Atwood & Culver, State Printers, Journal Block, 1872; pp. 383, 453, 463, 469
  5. Turner, A. J., ed. 'The legislative manual of the state of Wisconsin: comprising the constitution of the United States and of the state of Wisconsin, Jefferson's manual, forms and laws for the regulation of business; also, lists and tables for reference, etc. Twelfth Annual Edition. Madison: Atwood and Culver, Printers and Stereotypers, 1873; pp. 347, 449, 459, 465
  6. "The Delegates: List of the Delegates at the Reform and Liberal and Democratic Convention in Milwaukee, Sep. 23rd and 24th" Milwaukee News October 1, 1873; p. 2, col. 3
  7. "TO-DAY: It Will Settle the Great Question: Reform, or Misrule− Which Will it Be?" Milwaukee News November 3, 1874; p. 4, col. 2
  8. "Morris N. Becker" in, History of Milwaukee, Wisconsin, from pre-historic times to the present date, embracing a summary sketch of the native tribes, and an exhaustive record of men and events for the past century; describing, the city, its commercial, religious, educational and benevolent institutions, its government, courts, press, and public affairs; and including nearly four thousand biographical sketches of pioneers and citizens. Vol. 2. Chicago: The Western historical Co., 1881; p. 1474
  9. "Hebrew Societies: Ke Sher: Daniel Lodge, No. 79", in Wright's Directory of Milwaukee for 1888' Volume 21. Milwaukee: Alfred G. Wright, 1888; p. 55
  10. "Annual Purim Ball; Maskers Dance Away the Night and Disperse at Dawn" Milwaukee Sentinel March 19, 1893; pg. 3, col. 1
  11. "Whose Body is It?" Milwaukee Sentinel June 13, 1893; p. 3, col. 2
  12. "B'ne Brith Notes: Gilead Lodge 41" The Menorah: A Monthly Magazine for the Jewish Home Volume 26, No. 2 (February 1899); p. 132
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