Clark, Robert Carlton, Ph.D. "History of the Willamette Valley Oregon."  Vol. 3.
Chicago: Chapman Publishing Company, 1927. p. 115.
 
KARL G. BECKE

     In the real estate business Karl G. Becke has found a field well suited to
his talents and while advancing his own interests he has also aided in making
Salem a more attractive and desirable place of residence. He was born June 16,
1894, in Marion county, Oregon, and is a son of Charles and Annie (Giesy) Becke,
the former a native of Bethel, Missouri, and the latter of Willapa, Washington.
His grandfather, Charles Becke, was born in Hanover, Germany, and sailed for the
United States in 1838, locating first in Missouri. In 1867 he made the overland
journey to Oregon, bringing his live stock across the plains. The task of
driving the cattle was entrusted to his son Charles and another boy and the
family settled in the German colony near Aurora. Charles Becke, Sr., was a fine
type of the Oregon pioneer and attained the advanced age of ninety-four years,
passing away in 1914. Reared on the homestead, Charles Becke, Jr., experienced
many of the phases of frontier life in the northwest and acquired a practical
knowledge of agricultural pursuits. He followed the occupation of farming for
many years and is now living retired in Aurora. His wife's father, John Giesy,
was also one of the early members of the Aurora colony and a man of prominence
in the community.
     In the acquirement of an education Karl G. Becke attended the rural schools
of Marion county and the high school at Salem. He continued his studies in the
University of Oregon, from which he was graduated in 1917 with the A. B. degree,
and in 1920 was given the LL. B. degree at Willamette University. For three
years thereafter he was connected with the State Industrial Accident Commission.
In 1920 he also formed a partnership with Paul R. Hendricks and they have since
been associated in the real estate and insurance business, maintaining an office
at No. 189 North High street. In development projects they have been
particularly successful, looking ever beyond the exigencies of the moment to the
needs and possibilities of the future, and have changed unsightly vacancies into
beautiful residential districts. They opened up the Laurel Park, Pleasant Home
and other attractive subdivisions and handle both business and residential
properties. In the spring of 1927 they negotiated the sale of the Southern
Pacific block to the Valley Motor Company, the largest real estate deal
consummated in Salem up to that time, and their operations are conducted on an
extensive scale. The firm name has become synonymous with safety in real estate
investment and the insurance department is also an important feature of the
business.
     Mr. Becke was married May 19, 1921, in Salem to Miss Helen Lovell, a
daughter of the Rev. G. L. and Cora (Harper) Lovell, and to this union has been
born one child, Miriam Jean. Mr. Becke gives his political allegiance to the
republican party and is serving on the city zoning commission, exerting his
efforts as readily for the general good as for his own advancement. He is a
Mason and one of the influential members of the Chamber of Commerce and the
Salem Realty Board. He was formerly a director of the last named organization
and is president of the Kiwanis Club. He also belongs to the Illihee Country
Club and to Sigma Chi, a college fraternity. Mr. Becke has won success by
honorable methods and his worth as a citizen is uniformly conceded.
     
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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.