1882 Diphtheria Deaths

In the fall of 1882, John & Barbara Becker were dealt an enormous blow

 with the deaths of four of their five children from diphtheria.  

Laura Elizabeth Becker, age 2 at the time, 

was the only child to survive the terrible ordeal.  

Here are newspaper articles about the deaths, as well as information from 

St. Stephen's Catholic Church records, Croghan, Lewis Co., NY. 

(Note: John & Barbara Strife Becker had eight additional 

children after 1882, all of whom lived to adulthood). 

Name:   Dwight John Becker

Birth: Jan. 10, 1875

Christening:  March 28, 1875, Croghan, Lewis, NY

Given name on baptismal record: Dwight Johannes

Death: Oct. 14, 1882

Name:   Mary Becker

Birth: Nov. 11, 1876

Christening: Jan. 28, 1877 Croghan, Lewis, NY

Given name on baptismal record: Maria

Death: Oct. 10, 1882

Name:   Edward Christopher Becker

Birth: Aug. 19, 1878

Christening:  Sept. 15, 1878, Croghan, Lewis NY

Given name on baptismal record: Eduard Christoph

Death: Oct. 4, 1882

Name:   Katherine Evelyn Becker

Birth: July 19, 1882

Christening: Aug. 20, 1882, Croghan , Lewis, NY

Given name on baptismal record:  Catharina Caroline

Death: Nov. 5, 1882

Burial monument for all four siblings, St. Stephen's Cemetery, 

Croghan, Lewis Co., NY.

Dwight John Becker, 1875 - 1882, Died Oct.14, 1882 age 7 y. 8m. 4 days
Katie E. Becker, 1882 - 1882, Died Nov. 4, 1882, age 3 mos. 15 days

Eddie C. Becker, 1878 - 1882, Died Oct. 4, 1882, 4 yrs. 1 mo. 11 days
Mary Becker, 1876 - 1882, Died Oct. 10, 1882, 5 yrs. & 11 months

Indian River

John Becker has been building a tasty farm house.

The Journal and Republician, Thursday morning, Sept. 2, 1882; access date Aug. 9, 2014 <http://www.nnyln.net/>

Eddie, youngest son of John Becker, of Indian River, died of diphtheria, last week Wednesday, aged about five years.  Mr. Becker's only daughter, aged about three years, is also sick with the same disease, and there is but little if any hopes of her recovery.

The Journal and Republician, Thursday morning, Oct. 12, 1882; access date Aug. 9, 2014 <http://www.nnyln.net/>

Indian River

That fearful scourage, diphtheria, has commenced its ravages in the family of John Becker, on the Jordan Falls road, taking one of their children.  Two other children of the same family are very sick now, and but little hopes are entertained of their recovery.

The Lowville Times, Thurs., Oct. 19, 1882; access date Aug. 9, 2014 <http://www.nnyln.net/>

Obituary - Barbara Strife Becker

Pioneer Woman Of Log Cabin Days, Dies In Croghan

Mrs. Barbara Strife Becker, 94, widow of John Becker, oldest resident of the village of Croghan, died Friday afternoon at her home of a heart ailment.

Funeral services were held from St. Stephen's church Tuesday morning at 10 with a requiem high mass celebrated by Rev. Amadeus Burke.  The body was placed in the vault and burial will be in St. Stephen's Cemetery in the spring.

Mrs. Becker is survived by five daughters, Sister Christine Bathildis, Mother Superior of St. Mary's Hospital, Quincy, Ill.; Mrs. Cecilia Kerfien, and Mrs. Harvey (Agnes) Bush, Croghan; Mrs. Martha Strong, Watertown, and Mrs. Henry (Frances) Bush, Lowville; 24 grandchildren, 14 great-grandchildren  and one brother, Peter A. Strife who lives in the family homestead at Strife's Corners near Croghan.

Mrs. Becker was born at Strife's Corners, Sept. 11, 1852, a daughter of the late Michael and Catherine Dicob Strife, pioneer settlers of the community of Kirschnerville where they cleared the land and built a log cabin, which was later replaced by a frame house, which is now occupied by her brother.

She was married to Mr. Becker of Rochester, April 21, 1874.  The couple located at Jerden Falls, near Croghan, where Mr. Becker was a teacher in the local school and also a bookkeeper for the tannery, a flourishing business in the community.  The couple moved to the village of Croghan in 1891 where Mr. Becker served as Justice of the Peace for several years.  He died in 1930.  Thirteen children were born to the couple and four of them died in the diphtheria epidemic of 1882.

Mrs. Becker was a member of the Third Order of St. Francis and the Altar and Rosary Society of
St. Stephen's church, which will meet at the church at 7:30 Monday evening to recite the rosary.

Obit. Barbara Strife Becker. Thrus., March 13, 1947. The Lowville Leader. Access date 18 Jan. 2016 <www.http://nyshistoricnewspapers.org/>

Barbara Strife Becker in her garden.

St. Stephen's Church, Croghan, NY, original scanned postcard.

Pictures of the Becker Family

The John Becker Family circa 1893,

Seated front: Frank Becker, Christina (Sr. Bathildas) Becker,

Baby Agnes Becker Bush on John Becker’s lap, 

Barbara Strife Becker holding Martha Becker Strong.  

Back row, Cecelia Becker Kerfien & Laura Becker Murphy. 

Laura Becker

Becker Sisters
Back row L to Rt Agnes Becker Bush, Frances Becker Bush, Laura Becker Murphy, 
Martha Becker Collins Strong.
Seated L to Rt Anna Becker Briot & Cecelia Becker Kerfein. 
Missing from photo is Christina (Sr. Bathildas) Becker.

Laura Becker and her sister Martha.

Laura Becker

Wedding of Laura Becker and John Murphy, July 30th, 1901, Croghan, Lewis Co., New York.

Laura Becker Murphy

John Murphy, born May 1871
from 1900 Census, Croghan, Lewis, NY:
John T. Murhpy, age 29, servant living with Joseph Farney family, working in Sawmill.  

John & Barbara Becker family approx. 1908.

Front L to Rt John Murphy(child) Catherine Dicob Strife,

John Becker, Barbara Becker, Leo Murphy, Edward Murphy.

Sec. Row Susan Strife O’Connors, Cecelia Becker Kerfien, Agnes Becker Bush, 

John Murphy & Laura Becker Murphy, 

Martha Becker, Frank Becker, Christina (Sr. Bathildas) Becker,

Anna Becker Briot,  Frances Becker Bush & Lawrence Becker. 

John & Barbara Strife Becker & family

50th Anniversary

April 21, 1924

Laura Becker Murphy and her children, Mary Murphy Stewart, 
back left to right, John, Edward & Leo Murphy. 
Circa. 1927.

L to Rt Susan Strife O’Connors, Barbara Strife Becker, ? & ? 

John & Barbara Strife Becker with daughters, Agnes, Laura & Martha.

Barbara Strife Becker with her adult children. Circa. 1930.
This photo was most likely taken around the time of John Becker’s death. 
Missing from photo was son Lawrence, who lived in Ohio. 
Front L to Rt Agnes Becker Bush, Barbara Strife Becker, Christina (Sr, Bathildas) Becker.
Back row L to Rt Frank Becker, Martha Becker Collins Strong, Laura Becker Murphy, 
Cecelia Becker Kerfien, Frances Becker Bush & Anna Becker Briot. 

Barbara Strife Becker

Who Was John Becker?

John Becker was born on June 14, 1844, son of John and Margaret Rousch Becker, in a small town near Metz, France.  The earliest known artifact belonging to him is dated 1844 and has an address, Bistroff, Moselle, France.  

I never met my great-great grandfather John Becker, but through his diaries, have grown to love him.  He was a pioneer of the rugged North Country, a man who put the welfare and concerns of others ahead of his own needs.  He was an immigrant, a husband and father, a devout Catholic, an educator, a logger, a builder.  John Becker was a farmer, a miller, a boatman on the Erie Canal, an assessor, a Justice of the Peace, a store manager and bookkeeper.  His voice is made clear to us in his collection of diaries which he so copiously kept.  Through them he becomes a man of all seasons and a man for all time.    

Thank you to my aunt, Sharon Murphy Marti, and my mother, 

Betty Murphy Moonan for sharing these precious diaries.  

Please note - the diary entries have been transcribed exactly as written.    

John Becker Obituary

Original newspaper clipping from the Journal and Republician, 

Lowville, NY, Thursday, April 17, 1930. <http://nnyln.org/>

Catholic Missal dated 1849.

 *The leather cover dated 1844, the year of his birth, which was wrapped around his earliest diary (1864).  

1881

John Becker

Indian River 

Lewis Co., N.Y.

Monday, January 10, 1881

Taught school today.  Had some twenty-eight scholars today.  It has been quite cold again today.  Bintz came after the last loads of hay.  Sleighing good.

Sunday, July 3, 1881

Was at the Post Office this morning.  News came that President Garfield was shot yesterday by C.J. Guiteau at the depot in Washington.  It is very warm.
(http://www.eyewitnesstohistory.com/gar.htm)

Thursday, July 7, 1881

Rogers came this morning.  We went to work on the assessment roll.  Worked until ten o'clock this evening.  it has been very warm all day today.

Sunday, July 17, 1881

Today we went to Jordan to meeting.  Father Maurice was officiating.  Came home at two o'clock,  It has been cloudy all day.  Rained this morning by spells.  Cloudy this evening.  

Tuesday, September 27, 1881

Was at Bintz they had a logging bee today.  There were twenty-seven men and five team.  It rained most all the afternoon but we worked until dark.  They had a large piece logged up.  

Wednesday, September 28, 1881

Was working at the road again today.  It has been pleasant all day. A little west wind but very warm.  We are placing logs twenty five inches in the road.

Tuesday, October 4, 1881

Today St. Stephen's Church of Croghan was dedicated. Barbara and C. Campeny went down.  Admission fee $1.00 one dollar.  It was dark when they came home. 

Wednesday, October 12, 1881

Last night we had school meeting.  Michael Zehr, Trustee; J. Becker, Clerk; H. B. Covery, Collector; J. Ver House, Librarian; N. Crouch has to get wood for this year.  I was at Croghan.  Today it rained.

Tuesday, October 18, 1881

I had a bee today and a mean day it was.  Rained most all day.  I had twelve men and three teams.  We worked hard all day in the rain.  They are all here yet at twelve p.m.

Wednesday, October 19, 1881

I did not sleep any last night.  Some of the men stayed all night.  I finished laying logs in the road and went after a load of shingle shavings.  It is clear.

1880

John Becker

Indian River

Lewis Co., N. Y.

United States of America

January                        Thursday, 1                      1880

I have been at home all day.  Did not feel very good. Spun some tobacco.  It has not been very cold today.
Sleighing quite good at present.  About eight inches of snow.

January                          Friday, 2                            1880

Have been skidding logs for Christian Yousey.  Today has been quite cold all day.  It was late when Yousey came out.  Very good skiding at present.

July                            Friday, 2                       1880

Was at Bintz this morning after Mrs. Bintz - this afternoon I was at P. VerSnyder's after his wife.  We have a little stranger, a girl at 4p.m.  Barbara and child are well.

July                         Wednesday, 7                1880

Went to funeral of George Bolivar today.  He died yesterday morning at six.  Fell off a wagon Saturday coming from Croghan at Indian Shanty Hill hurt his spine.  Came home five p.m.

December                            Friday, 31                              1880

The last day of the year has been cold and a little snow.  Thus one year goes by and we do not seem to grow older or heed the time as it flies.  Growing colder this evening.  


Taught school 28 days = $56.00  No. 119 

14th    sold to Rice Bros.       4 doz. eggs       rec'vd.  .71 cents.  

1879

John Becker

Indian River

Lewis Co., New York

Saturday, January 25, 1879

I was at Croghan today after a new sleigh.  Paid 32.00 dollars cash for it. Paid the same to Peter Bach. Mary's went home this evening with Johny.

Monday, May 2, 1879

Have been at Lowville.  Christopher Campeny was there too.  We bought each a bedstead.  His was $2.75 mine was $3.75 charged to Marilley & Monnat.  Bought a pair of pants @ 2.00.

Monday, July 14, 1879

We have been peeling bark today.  Have piled up this forenoon and peeled.  This afternoon has been very warm and pleasant.  Barbara brought dinner into the woods.  Cloudy tonight. 

Saturday, September 27, 1879

Was at Jordan settled up with Rice.  Had to pay for N. Strife $52.57 on account.  Received on check for $95.25 and one for $40. dollars.  Came home at one o'clock. 

Sunday, September 28, 1879

Went to Croghan paid John Campany in full $41.30 cents.  Paid Marilley & Monnat 3 dollars Peter Bach 11.41 on account.  It was quite late when I came home.  

Monday, September 29, 1879

I was at Christopher Shiver's auction today.  Drew one log to the sawmill to have it cut into yoke stuff.  Peter Boliver from Jordan helped me dig potatoes one wagon box.

Tuesday, Oct. 28, 1879

Finished sowing the balance of grass seed and began to drag.  It began to rain about two o'clock rained very hard until four.  Made a little wagon for Johny.

Wednesday, Oct. 29, 1879

Began to drag again this morning.  C. Campeny and I were hunting a deer which he wounded.  Dragged again this afternoon is growing colder.