Jacob E. Becker
Jacob E. Becker, Prop. National Hotel; P. O., Iamton. The subject of this sketch is the son of Henry Becker, a native of Lancaster Co., Pa. He was by occupation a farmer and shoemaker. He was united in marriage with Susan Snader, and as result of this union had ten children, of whom eight are living, viz.: Susan, Solomon, Samuel, Henry, Jacob, George, Christopher and John. In 1832 Mr. Becker moved from Pennsylvania to Ohio and purchased a farm containing 160 acres in this county near the town of Liberty. Mr. Becker departed this life a worthy and esteemed member of the Lutheran Church, in 1851. Jacob E., the subject of this memoir, was born in Lancaster County, November 13, 1833, and by being studious in his habits managed to obtain a fair knowledge of all the common branches. He was employed by the neighboring farmers until the death of his father, when he returned home and took charge of the farm, remaining three years. At the age of 23 years he went to Indiana, and remained one year, and returned to Ohio and married Nancy E. Cox, May 27, 1857. She is the daughter of John Cox, a native of this State, and was born March 10, 1840. Mr. and Mrs. Becker are the parents of four children: Charles E., Clara and Enna are now living. After his marriage Mr. Becker followed various pursuits until he accumulated enough capital to start a restaurant at Trotwood Station, Madison Township, where he remained two years and purchased a piece of land near Miamisburgh and turned his attention to tobacco raising, which he continued cultivating for several seasons and then disposed of it and his farm and purchased 28 acres near Alexanderville, where he remained until 1872, when he made another sale and moved to Liberty and purchased a hotel, which he managed two years, and sold out and purchased a saw mill at Carrolton, and engaged in the lumber business. He soon disposed of this business and purchased the National House in Harrisburg, where he now resides.
From History of Montgomery County, Ohio, W. H. Beers & Co., Chicago, 1882