# Moritz Becker

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**Moritz Nathan Becker** (February 2, 1827 – 1906) was a [German American](/source/German_Americans) immigrant, [produce](/source/Produce) dealer, and politician. He self-identified as a "Progressive Democrat", then "Liberal Democrat", while serving two terms in the [Wisconsin State Assembly](/source/Wisconsin_State_Assembly) during the 1870s.[1]

## Background

Becker was born in [Gaugrehweiler](/source/Gaugrehweiler), [Kingdom of Bavaria](/source/Kingdom_of_Bavaria) on February 2, 1827. He received an [academic](/source/Academy) education, and became a [first lieutenant](/source/First_lieutenant) of [cavalry](/source/Cavalry) in the [Bavarian Army](/source/Bavarian_Army), and fought in [Schleswig-Holstein](/source/Schleswig-Holstein) during the [First Schleswig War](/source/First_Schleswig_War). He emigrated to the United States in 1850, lived in [New York City](/source/New_York_City) for two years, then moved to Milwaukee in 1852.

In 1859, he became a member of the Milwaukee [synagogue](/source/Synagogue) B'ne Jeshurun when his own Congregation Ansche Emmeth merged with it.[2] He became an active member of the [Democratic Party](/source/Democratic_Party_(United_States)).[3] In 1863 he married Minnie Gutman (1840 - 1902), a native of [Württemberg](/source/W%C3%BCrttemberg); by 1881, they would have five children.

## Public office

For two years Becker was a police [justice](/source/Magistrate#United_States) in Milwaukee. In 1871 he was elected unopposed to the Assembly's 9th [Milwaukee County](/source/Milwaukee_County,_Wisconsin) district (the 9th [Ward](/source/Wards_of_the_United_States) of the City of Milwaukee) as a "Progressive Democrat", succeeding Democrat [John L. Semmann](/source/John_L._Semmann). He was assigned to the [standing committee](/source/Standing_committee) on [assessment](/source/Tax_assessment) and [collection](/source/Tax_collection) of [taxes](/source/Taxes).[4]

In 1872 Becker was re-elected from the same district, which had added Milwaukee's new 10th Ward, this time as a "Liberal Democrat", with 1,006 votes to 518 for [Republican](/source/Republican_Party_(United_States)) [George H. Walther](/source/George_H._Walther). He was assigned to the committees on [ways and means](/source/Ways_and_means), and on [state affairs](/source/U.S._state).[5]

By September 1873, he was officially part of the [Liberal Reform Party](/source/Reform_Party_(19th-century_Wisconsin)), a short-lived [coalition](/source/Coalition) of Democrats, [reform](/source/Reform) and [Liberal](/source/Liberal_Republican_Party_(United_States)) Republicans, and [Grangers](/source/The_National_Grange_of_the_Order_of_Patrons_of_Husbandry) formed in 1873, which secured the election of a [Governor of Wisconsin](/source/Governor_of_Wisconsin) and a number of state legislators.[6][7] He was not a candidate for re-election himself, and was succeeded by Semmann (who defeated a Reform candidate).

## After the Assembly

From 1875 to 1877, Becker was a [deputy sheriff](/source/Deputy_sheriff) for Milwaukee County. He later found employment at the Pleasant Valley Distillery in Milwaukee.[8]

In 1888, he was vice-president of a lodge of the [Jewish](/source/Judaism) [fraternal order](/source/Fraternal_order) [Kesher Shel Barzel](/source/Kesher_Shel_Barzel).[9] As of 1893, the Beckers were both still living in Milwaukee.[10][11]

In 1899, he was elected Secretary of a local [B'nai Brith](/source/B'nai_Brith) chapter.[12]

## References

1. ["Members of the Wisconsin Legislature 1848–1999 State of Wisconsin Legislative Bureau. Information Bulletin 99-1, September 1999. p. 27](http://www.legis.state.wi.us/lrb/pubs/ib/99ib1.pdf) [Archived](https://web.archive.org/web/20061209014416/http://www.legis.state.wi.us/lrb/pubs/ib/99ib1.pdf) 2006-12-09 at the Wayback Machine

1. "History of B'ne Jeshurun's Seventy Years of Service for Judaism— 1856-1926" *Wisconsin Jewish Chronicle* February 26, 1926; p. 6, col. 3

1. "Democratic Caucus of the Ninth Ward" *[Milwaukee News](/source/Milwaukee_News)* September 28, 1860; p. 1, col. 5

1. [Turner, A. J., ed. *The legislative manual of the state of Wisconsin; comprising Jefferson's manual, rules, forms and laws for the regulation of business; also, lists and tables for reference; Compiled under the direction of the Secretary of State, for 1872* Eleventh Annual Edition. Madison: Atwood & Culver, State Printers, Journal Block, 1872; pp. 383, 453, 463, 469](http://digital.library.wisc.edu/1711.dl/WI.WIBlueBk1872)

1. [Turner, A. J., ed. *The legislative manual of the state of Wisconsin: comprising the constitution of the United States and of the state of Wisconsin, Jefferson's manual, forms and laws for the regulation of business; also, lists and tables for reference, etc.* Twelfth Annual Edition. Madison: Atwood and Culver, Printers and Stereotypers, 1873; pp. 347, 449, 459, 465](http://digital.library.wisc.edu/1711.dl/WI.WIBlueBk1873)

1. "The Delegates: List of the Delegates at the Reform and Liberal and Democratic Convention in Milwaukee, Sep. 23rd and 24th" *Milwaukee News* October 1, 1873; p. 2, col. 3

1. "TO-DAY: It Will Settle the Great Question: Reform, or Misrule− Which Will it Be?" *[Milwaukee News](/source/Milwaukee_News)* November 3, 1874; p. 4, col. 2

1. "Morris N. Becker", in *History of Milwaukee, Wisconsin, from pre-historic times to the present date, embracing a summary sketch of the native tribes, and an exhaustive record of men and events for the past century; describing, the city, its commercial, religious, educational and benevolent institutions, its government, courts, press, and public affairs; and including nearly four thousand biographical sketches of pioneers and citizens.* Vol. 2. Chicago: The Western historical Co., 1881; p. 1474

1. "Hebrew Societies: Ke Sher: Daniel Lodge, No. 79", in *Wright's Directory of Milwaukee for 1888* Volume 21. Milwaukee: Alfred G. Wright, 1888; p. 55

1. "Annual Purim Ball; Maskers Dance Away the Night and Disperse at Dawn" *[Milwaukee Sentinel](/source/Milwaukee_Sentinel)* March 19, 1893; pg. 3, col. 1

1. "Whose Body is It?" *Milwaukee Sentinel* June 13, 1893; p. 3, col. 2

1. "B'ne Brith Notes: Gilead Lodge 41" *The Menorah: A Monthly Magazine for the Jewish Home* Volume 26, No. 2 (February 1899); p. 132

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