"Portrait & Biographical Record of the Willamette Valley Oregon."  Chicago:
Chapman Publishing Company, 1903. p. 1276.
 
CHARLES BECKE, JR. 

     The agricultural interests of Marion county are well represented by him
whose name introduces this review, and it is with pleasure that we present to
our readers a brief outline of the qualities and characteristics of Mr. Becke.
The province of this history is not so much to enter into the small details of a
man's life, as to show forth to the world something of the governing principles
which have led to his success. We do not any of us need to be told that the
farming class of any country is really its bone and sinew, and that those who
cultivate the soil contribute the first and most essential source of wealth in
all lands. It is to this class that Mr. Becke belongs, being the owner of a
valuable farm of one hundred and ninety-three acres, devoted to general farming,
twelve acres being planted to hops, for which he finds a ready sale on the
market. The farm is well cultivated and has many improvements upon it,
indicating the careful supervision of the owner. 
     Mr. Becke was born in the German colony, in Bethel, Shelby county, Mo.,
February 20, 1854, and is a son of Charles Becke, who was born in Hanover,
Germany, in 1820. In 1846 he left his native land, sailing for America, and on
arriving in this country he took up his abode in Shelby county, Mo., where he
was married to Johanna Keil. He remained in Missouri with the Bethel colony
until 1867, when he brought his family across the plains and mountains, making
his way to the Aurora colony, east of the present site of Aurora. Six months
were consumed in making this journey, and the family of course were weary and
glad to find a permanent place of abode. They remained in the Aurora colony
until there was a division of property, in 1875, Mr. Becke receiving as his
share the farm of one hundred and sixty acres, upon which he yet makes his home. 
     Charles Becke, Jr., was but thirteen years of age when his parents came to
Oregon, and in the common schools of this state he received his education. He
was one of a family of eleven children, five of whom are now living: Charles,
the subject of this sketch ; Louisa, the wife of Joseph Erbsland, of Marion
county; Henry, who lives upon his father's farm; Sarah, the wife of George
Gooding, a resident of Marion county; and Edward, who resides in Aurora. 
     At the age of twenty-five years, Mr. Becke began work for himself on a
farm, following this by engaging in carpenter work for the Southern 
Pacific Railroad and elsewhere. For three years he acted as a clerk in the store
of John Giesy. He was persevering and industrious, and these virtues always
bring their reward, so that in 1881 he had saved enough money to purchase his
present farm. He was not satisfied that his land should remain unimproved, but
set about to transform it into a valuable farm property which he has succeeded
in doing and it now annually returns to him a good income and does credit to his
industry and care. Three years after the purchase of his home, he took a bride
to preside over it, the lady of his choice being Miss Anna Giesy, daughter of
John Giesy, the ceremony being performed January 23, 1884. They have three
living children : Aurelia Louisa, Ursula Amelia and Alterius Charles. Mr. Becke
is a member of the Independent Order of Odd Fellows and of the Ancient Order of
United Workmen, having maintained fraternal relations with these organizations
for a number of years. He is a firm believer in the principles of the Republican
party and always defends what he believes to be right, whether it relates to his
own personal actions or to the issues which involve  the nation's honor.

     
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Submitted to the Oregon Bios. Project in May 2011	 by Diana Smith.  Submitter
has no additional information about the person(s) or family mentioned above.