Thomas Becker
- Birth: March 27, 1841 / Germany
- Death: October 7, 1913 / Blue Island, IL
- Age: 72
- Married: Cresenze Baentele / aka "Grace Pantla"
- Children: 6
- Profession: Farmer
The Second Oldest Ancestor?
In the process of our family research, we discovered Thomas
Becker, who we believe is that father of Charles Louis Becker. We know that the
name Thomas Becker was a common name in the United States (and in Chicago) during his lifetime, but we believe that this
Thomas is part of our Becker family line. We believe this based on the
following conclusions:
- According to both the 1870 and 1880 U.S. Census documentation, Thomas lived in Calumet Township (neighboring Blue Island, IL where most of the descendant Becker family lived during the 1900's) and had a son named Charles. His son Charles was born the during the same year and location as Charles Louis Becker (who we know with 100% certainty is our direct family line).
- This Thomas was born in Germany, not the United States. On his son's (Charles Louis) death documentation, it indicates his father’s name was Thomas, and that his father was born in Germany (source: Illinois, Deaths and Stillbirths Index, 1916-1947, c/o Ancestory.com).
Using these small pieces of documentation, we believe there is a strong likelihood that this
Thomas is part of our family line, however it cannot be 100% confirmed.
Probable Immigration Reasons
In the 1900 Census, Thomas indicates that he is age 58, has
lived in the United States for 56 years and immigrated in 1844. It is likely
that the parents of Thomas (and he himself) were part of the largest German
Immigration to America, during the years of 1840 to 1880, which preceded the
‘Revolutions of 1848 in the German states’. According to Wikipedia, “The Revolutions of 1848 in the German
states, also called the March Revolution (Märzrevolution), were part of the
Revolutions of 1848 that broke out in many countries of Europe and a series of
loosely coordinated protests and rebellions in the states of the German
Confederation, including the Austrian Empire. The revolutions, which stressed
pan-Germanism, emphasised popular discontent with the traditional, largely
autocratic political structure of the thirty-nine independent states of the
Confederation that inherited the German territory of the former Holy Roman
Empire. Furthermore, they demonstrated the popular desire for increased
political freedom, liberal state policies, democracy, nationalism, and freedom
from censorship. The middle class elements were committed to liberal principles
while the working class sought radical improvements to their working and living
conditions. However, the middle class and working class components of the
Revolution split, and in the end the conservative aristocracy defeated it,
forcing many liberals into exile, where they became known as Forty-Eighters.”
1870 - Making his Own Way
In the 1870 Census documentation, Thomas would have been in his late 20's/early 30's. Here he indicates his home is valued at $1000, and his personal estate is valued at $250. He indicates his job title here too: “Oversees …….” the words are very difficult to read—take a look at the document and see if you can make it out. Meanwhile, his wife Grace “Keeps House” as her occupation, which appears to be very common for all women in the census documentation during this time period.
1880 - Caring for Older Family
Thomas’ wife, Grace Becker (née Pantla) had her grandfather and father live with the family at separate times. It is likely that the Becker’s were periodically caring for the maternal side elders: first Anton Bently (Grace’s maternal grandfather) and then Anthony Pantla (Graces’ father). In the 1880 Census documentation Anthony Pantla, is a widower, currently working as a “Boarder” at age 68 and indicates that he was born in Prussia. 10 years earlier, in the 1870 Census documentation, Anton Bently, (Grace’s maternal grandfather) age 85, and Grace both indicate that they were born in Berne, Switzerland – which is the capital.
1900 - a Life in Summary
During this 1900 Census, Thomas indicates that he is a Farmer. It also shows that he has been married to Grace Becker for 37 years, that the couple had six children, and only four of them were living. We believe the children were: Tobiats (b.1865), William (b.1866), Charles Louis (b.1868), Caroline (b.1870), Katie (b.1882 - d.1897), Infant (died at early age).
Interesting Census Observations
Finally, a couple of interesting observations were made when
reviewing the very old Census information. It is
likely that the Census documentation, during these earlier dates in time, were not
recorded very accurately, or people didn’t take it seriously, or people
honestly did not keep track of dates or information very well—and it very well could
be all of the above. For example, Thomas’ age wavers during Census years. For
example, from 1870 to 1880 Thomas ages 13 years—but his wife ages 10 years, and
all of their children age 10 years. Additionally, Thomas wavers on where he was
born—sometimes he reported that he was born in Germany and other times he
reported that he was born in France. Could he have been from Alsace Lorraine?
There are many open ended questions without many answers. Its up to you to interpret!