Blanche Elizabeth Shidell

John Jacob Becker was born July 22, 1884, in New Glarus, Green Co., WI, and died April 13, 1965, in Porter Memorial Hospital, Valparaiso, Porter Co., IN, at age 80. He was the son of Fredolin Becker Jr. and Verena Kundert of Green Co., WI.

Blanche Elizabeth Shidell was born May 3, 1891, in Milladore, Wood Co., WI, and died September 8, 1950, in Chesterton, Porter Co., IN, at age 59. She was the daughter of Adam William Scheidel of the town of Grittvil (or Crativiler), Alsace-Lorraine, France, and Lucinda Matilda Abbey of Hope Twp., Durham Co., Canada West.

John Jacob Becker and Blanche Elizabeth Shidell were married May 4, 1910, at the Adam Shidell house, Sherry Twp., Wood Co., WI. 

John Jacob Becker and Blanche Elizabeth (Shidell) Becker had four children:

1. Clarence D. Becker: Born August 8, 1911, in Sherry Twp., Wood Co., WI; Died November 27, 1992, in Stevens Point, Portage Co., WI (age 81). Married August 1, 1936, at the County Courthouse, Stevens Point, Portage Co., WI, to Helen Pawlik: Born Unknown; Died Unknown. Ignatz "Nick" Pawlik: 1892-1958; and Anna Dybas Pawlik: 1892-1973)
2. Gertrude Mathilda "Trudy" Becker: Born November 13, 1912, in Sherry Twp., Wood Co., WI; Died December 10, 1996, in Oakland Park, Broward Co., FL (age 84). Married (1) June 24, 1939, in Chicago, Cook Co., IL, to Raymond George Palo: Born June 25, 1904, in Douglas Island, Juneau Co., AK; Died December 7, 1955, in Porter Memorial Hospital, Valparaiso, Porter Co., IN (age 51). Married (2) December 18, 1959, in Chesterton, Porter Co., IN, to Andrew Hamilton Lightbody: Born April 9, 1909, in Ambridge Borough, Harmony Twp., Beaver Co., PA; Died August 7, 1968, in Cook Co., IL (age 68).
3. Clifford John Becker: Born June 14, 1919, in Rudolph Twp., Wood Co., WI; Died August 15, 2004, in South Bend, St. Joseph Co., IN (age 85). Married February 14, 1947, in Ishpeming, Marquette Co., MI, to Helen M. Huhtala: Born September 7, 1922, in Michigan; Died December 7, 2001, in South Bend, St. Joseph Co., IN (age 79).
4. Marion E. Becker: Born March 12, 1923, in Rudolph Twp., Wood Co., WI; Died April 14, 1999, in Stevens Point, Portage Co., WI (age 76). Never married.

TIMELINE

John Jacob Becker was born July 22, 1884, in New Glarus, Green Co., WI.

Blanche Elizabeth Shidell was born May 3, 1891, in Milladore, Wood Co., WI.

The Shidell Sisters: Ida Belle Paulson, Blanche E. Becker and Neta M. Shorey

The 1900 U. S. Census taken on June 6, 1900, shows Adam Shidell (age 57) born April 1843 in France to French-born parents is a farmer living in Sherry Twp., Wood Co., WI having emigrated in 1860. Living with him is his wife of 35 years, Lucinda M. Shidell (age 52) born September 1849 in Canada to Canadian-born parents. Nine of the eleven children born to Lucinda are still alive. Also there are their children: Ida B. Shidell (age 15) born September 1885; James A. Shidell (age 12) born October 1887; Dixon Shidell (age 10) born August 1889; and Blanch E. (age 9) born May 1891. All children were born in Wisconsin. Also living there is Lucinda's mother, Phebe Abbey (age 72) born June 1827 in Canada to French and Canadian parents.

The 1905 Wisconsin State Census taken on June 1, 1905, shows Adam Shidell (age 62) born in Germany to German-born parents is a Farmer owning his own farm with a mortgage and living in Sherry Twp., Wood Co., WI. Living with him is his wife, Lucinda Shidell (age 56) born in Canada to Canadian-born parents. Also there are two his two unmarried children, both born in Wisconsin to German and Canadian-born parents: Dixan Shidell (age 16); and Blanch Shidell (age 14).

The Grand Rapids Tribune, Grand Rapids, WI, Wednesday, July 10, 1907

SHERRY

Miss Blanche Shidel, who has been quite sick is improving under the skillful hand of Dr. Whitney, our local physician. We are fortunate in having a man of his skill in our midst at this time. He is being called out in most every direction.

The 1910 U. S. Census taken on April 25, 1910, shows Adam Schidel (age 66) born in France of French-born parents is a farmer living in Sherry Twp., Wood Co., WI having emigrated in 1856 and is a naturalized citizen. Living with him is his wife of 44 years, Lucinda Schidel (age 61) born in Canada of Canadian and English-born parents, having emigrated in 1860. Nine of the eleven children born to Lucinda are still alive. Also there are two of their children: Dixon Schidel (age 21); and Blanch E. Schidel (age 18). Both children were born in Wisconsin.

The Grand Rapids Tribune, Grand Rapids, WI, April 20, 1910

LOCAL ITEMS.

Mr. and Mrs. Adam Shidell of the town of Sherry have issued invitations for the wedding of their daughter, Blanche Elizabeth, to John J. Becker, which will take place on Wednesday, May 4th, at the bride's home.

John and Blanche were married May 4, 1910, at the Adam Shidell house, Sherry Twp., Wood Co., WI. 

The 1920 U. S. Census taken on February 4, 1920, shows John J. Becker (age 35) born in Wisconsin to Wisconsin-born parents is a Dairy Farmer owning his own farm and living in Rudolph Twp., Wood Co., WI. Living with him is his wife Blanch Becker (age 28) born in Wisconsin to French-born parents. Also living at home are their children, all born in Wisconsin to Wisconsin-born parents: Clarence Becker (age 8); Gertrude Becker (age 7); and Clifford Becker (age 8/12).

The 1930 U. S. Census taken on April 7, 1930, shows John J. Becker (age 45) born in Wisconsin to Wisconsin-born parents and first married at age 25 is a Dairy Farmer owning his own farm and living in Rudolph Twp., Wood Co., WI. Living with him is his wife Blanche E. Becker (age 38) born in Wisconsin to French and Canadian-born parents and first married at age 18. Also living at home are their unmarried children, all born in Wisconsin to Wisconsin-born parents: Clarence D. Becker (age 18) a Dairy Farm Laborer; Gertrude N. Becker (age 17); Clifford J. Becker (age 10); and Marian E. Becker (age 7).

Daily Journal, Stevens Point, WI, Monday, August 3, 1936

Becker - Pawlik

August weddings in Portage county was performed Saturday morning, August 1, at 11 o'clock at the court house, when Justice L. J. N. Murat united in marriage Miss Helen Pawlik, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Nick Pawlik of the town of Linwood, and Clarence D. Becker, son of Mr. and Mrs. John J. Becker of Rudolph. A white satin and lace gown with a stand  up collar was worn by the bride. With it she wore a hat of transparent pyroxylin braid and carried a bouquet of white roses. The maid of honor, Miss Stella Palik, wore pink organza with blue accessories, and the bridesmaid, Miss Gertrude Becker, wore orchid organza. Clifford Becker was best man and Vernon Becker was groomsman. At 6 o'clock dinner was served at the home of the bride's parents to 40 relatives and friends. Guests from away were Mr. and Mrs. J. R. Moss and son, Marvin, and Mr. and Mrs. J. Davis of Chicago and Mr. and Mrs. Otto Becker of Sherry. In the evening a dance was held at the Riverview pavilion, with music furnished by the Cabin Boys. The bride and groom will spend a week's honeymoon in northern Wisconsin. They will be at home after August 10 on a farm near Rudolph. Before the wedding the bride was honored at a shower given by Mrs. J. J. Becker and another shower given by Mrs. Harold Yetter.

In June, 1940, the Becker property in Wood Co., WI was foreclosed upon through a Sheriff's Sale.

Blanche Elizabeth (Shidell) Becker died September 8, 1950, in Chesterton, Porter Co., IN, at age 59.

The Vidette-Messenger, Valpariso, IN, Thursday, December 8, 1955

DEATHS

RAYMOND GEORGE PALO

CHESTERTON, Dec. 8 - Raymond George Palo, 51, owner and operator of the Zephyr Awning company, died at 6:05 p. m. Wednesday at Porter Memorial hospital following surgery which was performed Monday. He was born in Douglas Island, Alaska, on June 25, 1904, the son of William and Mary Palo. He resided in Chesterton for 10 years. On June 24, 1939, in Chicago, Palo married Gertrude Becker, who survives. Also surviving are his mother, Mrs. Mary Palo; three sisters, Helen and Mae Palo, and Mrs. Lulu Havorka, all residing in Chicago; three brothers, Clarence, Chesterton; and Alfred and Douglas, Chicago. Services will be held Saturday at 2 p. m. at the Carl Edmonds Funeral home with Dr. Preston Bradley of the People's Church of Chicago officiating. Burial will be in the Chesterton cemetery. Friends may call at the Carl Edmonds Funeral home Friday afternoon until time of services.

John Jacob Becker died April 15, 1965 in Porter Memorial Hospital, Valparaiso, Porter Co., IN at age 80.

Stevens Point Daily Journal, Stevens Point, WI, Wednesday, April 14, 1965

John J. Becker

John J. Becker, 80, father of Clarence D. Becker, Whiting, died Tuesday at Porter Memorial Hospital, Valparaiso, Ind. Funeral services will be held at the Taylor Funeral Home, Wisconsin Rapids, Saturday afternoon at 1 o'clock. Burial will follow in Forest Hill Cemetery. Prior to going to Chesterton, Ind., about 15 years ago, Mr. Becker had lived in Wisconsin Rapids most of his life. He was born in New Glarus on July 22, 1884. He was a blacksmith. His wife, the former Blanche Shidel, died more than 10 years ago. Since going to Chesterton he has made his home with a daughter, Miss Marian Becker, Chicago, and a son Clifford, of South Bend, Ind., besides Clarence and Mrs. Lightbody.