Charles Tobias Becker
Early Life: The Second Charles
Charles was born in Blue Island, IL on September 8, 1891 (see Delayed Birth Certificate and Death Certificate). He was the first of four children to Charles Louis Becker and Alvena Becker (née Boldt). Charles had three younger sisters: Modesta, Edna and Alma.
According to the 1910 Census, Charles was still living at
home with his parents and working as a “Packer” in the Brickyards. Most likely
he was working with his father, Charles Louis, because he worked in the
Brickyards as a “Laborer.” Charles Tobias would have been about age 19 at the
time.
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Marriage, Adulthood and Starting a Family
According to the Cook County, Illinois, Marriages Index, 1871-1920, on September 30, 1915, Charles Tobias married Amanda Barbara Werner. The marriage took place in Blue Island, IL, however, there are no known details about what the ceremony may have been like or even how the couple met. If they met in school, they must have known each other for a long time, as we know both Amanda and Charles finished schooling in the 8th grade (as seen in the 1940 U.S. Census).
Wedding Photo: Charles Tobias and Amanda Werner are pictured on the far left. It is unknown who most of the people are in the wedding party, however Amanda's step-sister Alma pictured fourth from the left. Her dress is slightly different than the other bridesmaids, likely indicating that she was either a maid or matron of honor
By 1920, we know that Charles and Amanda Werner had
their first son, Arthur. This is cited in the 1920 U.S. Census. We also know that
he was currently working as an Electrician at this time.
By 1930, Charles had three children with Amanda: Arthur, Irene, and Charles Jr (as it states in the 1930 U.S. Census). He was currently working as a “Machinist” in a Factory. On the Census document, it indicates that the family is renting a home in Blue Island, IL.
By 1930, Charles had three children with Amanda: Arthur, Irene, and Charles Jr (as it states in the 1930 U.S. Census). He was currently working as a “Machinist” in a Factory. On the Census document, it indicates that the family is renting a home in Blue Island, IL.
In 1917, when Charles was around age 26, he received a
‘Notice of Call and to Appear for Physical Examination’ (call to military
service) pursuant to the act of Congress approved May 18, 1917. We can assume
that this was to enlist into World War I.
We know that he was called for the physical examination because we have
the original document. It is unknown, however, if he actually went to the
examination, if he failed the examination, or for some other reason was not
enlisted into World War I. There is no
record or any indication that Charles had served in World War I.
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Tough Job Market To Feed a Growing Family
In the 1940 U.S. Census, we can see that Charles and Amanda
have two more additions to the family: Joyce and Donald. According to the Census,
the family is renting a home located at 13756 Western Avenue, bordering Blue Island/Bremen, IL.
Charles was working as a “Laborer” for a W.P.A. Project. The Works Progress
Administration (WPA), provided jobs
and income to the unemployed during the Great Depression in the United States.
It was the largest and most ambitious New Deal agency, employing millions of
unemployed people (mostly unskilled men) to carry out public works projects,
including the construction of public buildings and roads. Between 1935 and
1943, the WPA provided almost eight million jobs across the country. According to the 1940 Census
document, Charles had indicated that he had previously been unemployed for 30
weeks (between 1939 and up to March 30th, 1940) – so this was likely
a very beneficial program for him and the family. His annual income at the time
was reported at $600 – which was one-third of what his father’s salary was (as
a Janitor) during the very same Census.
An UnTimely Death
At 3:25am, on
March 28, 1945 Charles Tobias Becker passed away at the Cook County Hospital in
Chicago, IL. As we understand it, Charles went for surgery for carbuncle (skin
infection that can become a lump) on his neck. However, the death certificate
states that the cause of Charles’ death was diabetes mellitus. We assume there
were complications during his surgery and that the diabetes was the root cause
of his death. His last place of residence was (in 1945) was 2326 Vermont Street, Blue Island, IL. He was 54 at the time and is buried at the First Lutheran Cemetery in Alsip, IL.
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Final Comments
Finally, we know that Charles Tobias also went by the name Karl Thomas. This might seem strange (and we agree), but we know that the German name Karl or Carl translates to Charles in English. We also know that the German name Tobias translates to Thomas in English. We do not know why these names would have been used so interchangeably on the many records we found, but when looking at the Census documentation, his birth and death certificates, we know that Charles Tobias and Karl Thomas are the same person. They both have the same birthdate, same mother, father, and wife.
Overall, we don’t know much else about Charles’ life. We know from his children that he caused a lot of emotional stress and that he was considered to be an abusive alcoholic—both of which led to a frequently unstable household for the family.
Overall, we don’t know much else about Charles’ life. We know from his children that he caused a lot of emotional stress and that he was considered to be an abusive alcoholic—both of which led to a frequently unstable household for the family.