Jacob James Becher

  Noted events in his life were:

1. Moved: 1847, Penn Twp., St Joseph, IN. ¹

2. Occupation: teacher in 1847 in Penn Twp., St Joseph, IN. ¹

3. Catholic ¹

4. Book: History of St. Joseph County, Volume Two, 1907. ²
JACOB BECHER. After a successful business career devoted to agricultural pursuits Jacob Becher is now living a retired life in Penn township. He was born in Adams county, Pennsylvania, December 19, 1815. His father, John Becher, also claimed the Keystone state as the commonwealth of his nativity, born in 1779, and he was there married to one of its native daughters, Theresa Adams, to whom were born eight children, five sons and three daughters, Jacob being the eldest in order of birth. The father's death occurred in St. Joseph county. Indiana, in 1856. He was a Democrat in his political affiliations.

It was in 1847 that Jacob Becher first made the trip to St. Joseph county, purchasing land in Penn township, and then returned to Pennsylvania for his father and family. In that state he had farmed and worked at the miller's trade, which he had learned under his father's instructions, and after coming to Indiana followed those occupations in Penn township. In 1847 he began teaching in the district schools of the township, he also having followed the profession ere his removal hither, and at the same time he performed the arduous task of clearing new land. With the passing years he cleared his present farm of one hundred and sixty acres, also placed the fields under an excellent state of cultivation, and erected the many valuable and substantial buildings which are now seen upon the place. In those carly days he attended church at Notre Dame,

In 1856 Mr. Becher was united in marriage to Anna Moan, who was born in Ireland in 1825, and came to America at the age of twenty-two years, residing first in Mishawaka. Her parents lived and died in their native land of Ireland. Mrs. Becher passed away in death at the age of fifty-six years, after becoming the mother of three children, James J., Mary and Rosie, all of whom were born and reared on the old homestead farm in Penn Township. Mr. Becher has given his support to the Democratic party throughout the period of his majority, and from the time age conferred upon him the right of franchise until 1906 he never missed a vote. He is a member of the Catholic church. After many years of hard and laborious toil, in which he has acquired a competence, he is now living in quiet retirement, enjoying the rest which he has so truly earned and richly deserves.

Jacob married Anna Helena Moan in 1856 in Mishawaka, St. Joseph, Indiana, United States.¹ (Anna Helena Moan was born on 19 Sep 1824 in , , , IRL ¹ and died on 15 Jun 1883 in Mishawaka, St. Joseph, Indiana, United States ¹.)