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/>