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CHARLES BECHERER

 

As the years are added to the cycle of the centuries the ranks of the veterans of the Civil war are constantly growing smaller as one by one those who so valiantly stood by the Union in the darkest hour of her history pass to their final rest.  Among those who still remain is numbered Charles Becherer who, although he has almost reached the Psalmist's allotted span of three score years and ten, is still active and helpful in the world's work.  A native of Germany, he was born in Prussia on the 26th of January, 1840, a son of Charles and Hanna Becherer.  The father, who was also born in Germany, was there reared and married, and was engaged for a number of years as a stage driver in the employ of the government.  In 1851 he came to America with his five children, the family home being established in Wisconsin near the city of Milwaukee. 

 

(Page 657) Charles Becherer, whose name initiates this review, was a lad of eleven years when he came with his parents to America and was reared to manhood in their Wisconsin home.  He attended the district schools in the acquirement of an education and the period of his boyhood was spent in the usual manner, his time being divided between the duties of the schoolroom, the pleasures of the playground and the tasks assigned him by parental authority.  He remained under the parental roof until twenty-one years of age, when he came to Iowa, locating in Scott county, where he worked as a farm hand for a time.  In August, 1861, however, he responded to the country's call for troops and enlisted as a member of Company C, Second Iowa Cavalry.  He went south to Tennessee and the first engagement in which he took part was the siege and battle of Corinth, Mississippi.  The next important battles were at Tupelo and Nashville, but in the meantime he had participated in many minor engagements and skirmishes.  Later he veteranized in Tennessee and returned home on a thirty days' furlough to visit his parents.  He was mustered out and honorably discharged at Davenport, Iowa, in October, 1865, after four years of valiant and faithful service, during which period he won a most creditable military record through his courage and bravery.

 

When the country no longer needed his services Mr. Becherer returned to agricultural pursuits and for several years was employed as a farm hand, while he later operated a farm in the capacity of renter for some time.  The year 1875 witnessed his arrival in Taylor county, and he purchased the farm in Grove township upon which he now resides.  It consisted of eighty acres of raw land upon which not a furrow had been turned, and he at once directed his energies toward its development.  He commenced breaking the sod and converting the land into productive fields, and with the passing of the years the work of transformation was steadily carried forward until today the farm has been brought under a high state of cultivation.  He fenced his fields and erected a comfortable dwelling and substantial barns and outbuildings, and today the place is one of the well improved properties of the locality, indicating in its neat and attractive appearance the industry and thrift of the owner.  He carries on general farming and in addition is engaged to some extent in the dairy and chicken-raising business.  He keeps about eight cows, selling his milk and cream to the creamery, and he has sold about four hundred dollars worth of eggs and poultry since New Years, 1909, one month's sales averaging sixty dollars for eggs.  His excellent business ability has been an important feature in his success, his industry, energy and perseverance being salient elements in his business career.

 

On the 1st of October, 1891, Mr. Becherer was united in marriage in Grove township to Miss Sarah E. Cochran, who was born in Hancock county, Illinois, where she was reared until eighteen years of age, acquiring her education in the district schools.  She is a daughter of Thomas Cochran, who some time ago moved from Adams county, Illinois, to Grinnell and three years later came to Taylor county, Iowa.  Unto this union have been born three children: Fred C., Esther Myrtle and William E., all still under the parental roof.

 

Mr. and Mrs. Becherer hold membership in the Presbyterian church, the teachings of which form the guiding influence of their lives, while he holds pleasant relations with his old army comrades through his membership in the Grand Army (page 658) post at Lenox.  Politically he gives stalwart support to the republican party, which was the defense of the Union during the dark period of the Civil war, but he has never desired public office.  He cast his first presidential vote for Abraham Lincoln in 1864 while serving in the army and has voted for every candidate upon that ticket since.  Preeminently public-spirited, he has ever been as true to the interests of his country in all matters of citizenship as when he followed the old flag on southern battlefields.

 

During the many years of their residence in Taylor county Mr. and Mrs. Becherer have been witnesses of the work of improvement and advancement which has been carried on within its borders, and they have seen many of the best farms improved and developed, while at all times they have born their share in the work of transformation, being ranked among the substantial and representative citizens of the community.  Through industry, diligence and perseverance Mr. Becherer has attained a most gratifying measure of prosperity in his business ventures, having acquired a handsome competence which makes it possible for him now in the evening of life to withdraw from many of the more active and strenuous duties of business life and enjoy the fruits of his former toils.  His success has come to him as the result of well directed efforts and honest business methods, and the honorable life which he has ever led has gained for him the respect, confidence and good will of all with whom he has come in contact.