Albert L. Becker

ALBERT L. BECKER. - One of the best known and highly esteemed citizens of Kansas City, Kansas, and one of the most active, efficient and popular officers of Wyandotte county, Albert L. Becker is now serving his second term as sheriff of the county, a position for which he has shown himself pre-eminently fitted. A son of Nicholas Becker, he was born May 28, 1875, in Pittsburg, Pennsylvania, coming from German and Swiss ancestry. His paternal grandfather, Nicholas Becker, Sr., a life-long resident of the Fatherland, was a man of prominence in his native city, which he served as mayor.

Born in Germany, Nicholas Becker, father of Albert L., was educated in his native land, and as a young man emigrated to the United States, and for awhile followed the carpenter's trade in the east. In 1885 he located in Kansas City, Missouri, where he was engaged in mercantile pursuits until his death, in 1906. Industrious and thrifty, he was a good citizen and a faithful member of the Republican party. His wife Margaret, who was born in Switzerland, came to this country with her parents, locating in Pennsylvania, where she was married. Eight children were born to them, Albert L. being the second child in order of birth.

Obtaining his early education in the schools of Kansas City, Missouri, Albert L. Becker began as a child to earn money, his first work having been that of selling newspapers on the street. When but twelve years of age he became bundle boy in the dry goods establishments of G. Y. Smith, in that capacity receiving two dollars a week. He afterwards found a position in a trunk factory, where he was given four dollars each week for his work. He subsequently learned the trade of a steam fitter, and later entered the employ of the Armour Packing Company, where he learned the art of manufacturing cans, and continued with the company fourteen years. In 1902 Mr. Becker became local fireman on the Frisco Railroad, with which he was connected for a year. Securing a position then with the Missouri Pacific Canning Company, he remained with the firm until 1905, and in that year he was elected for two terms in the city court which position he held four years. In 1908 he was elected sheriff of Wyandotte county, Kansas, having the distinction of being the only county officers then elected on the Republican ticket. He performed the duties devolving upon him in that responsible position so ably and satisfactorily that in November, 1910, he was re-elected sheriff of the county, the seventy-eight thousand, five hundred and thirty-two votes cast in his favor being the largest number received by any one candidate on the ticket and giving him a majority of one thousand, four hundred and thirty-one votes.

Having never swerved from the political faith in which he was reared, Mr. Becker is an intelligent and stanch supporter of the principles of the Republican party. He belongs to the Union Club, and is a member of Pride of the West Lodge, No. 484, Independent Order of Odd Fellows; of the Encampment; of the Ancient Order of United Workmen; of the Improved Order of Red Men; of the Modern Woodmen of America; of the Yeomen of America; and of the Wyandotte Lodge, No. 440, Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks.

Mr. Becker married, June 5, 1898, Anna Schultz, who was born in Denmark, which was also the birthplace of her parents, Samuel and Sadie Schultz. Immigrating to this country with his family many years ago, Mr. Schultz located in Kansas City, Kansas, and for thirty or more years has here been associated with the Armour Packing Company, at the present time being assistant foreman. Of the nine children born to Mr. and Mrs, Schultz, six are living, Mrs. Becker being the second child in succession of birth. The union of Mr. and Mrs. Becker has been brightened by the birth of six children, namely Albert, Edward, Thelma, Finley, who died in infancy; Hazel, and Raymond Sheriff.