CONRAD BECKER, now a retired farmer living in section 32, township 17, range 11, near Arenzville, was born in Hesse-Darmstadt, Germany, August 18, 1826. He grew up and was educated in his native province, being twenty-one years old when he came to the United States, sailing from Bremen on a sailing vessel that landed him in New Orleans after an eight weeks' voyage. He came from there up the Mississippi river to St. Louis, and from there to Beardstown, taking five weeks to make the trip. He settled in the last named city, February, 1847. He was a poor man at that time and among strangers, but by hard work and economy he has accumulated a fortune. He is the only member of his family who came to the United States. The parents of Mr. Becker died in Germany, and were farmers, as were their parents before them, and they were Lutherans in religion.

Mr. Becker has lived in Cass County for forty years, and has been a successful farmer and stock raiser. His property embraces some very fine land, besides his fine residence and a large number of Government bonds.

Mr. Becker was married in Arenzville in 1851, to Miss Sarah Hakes, born in Nottinghamshire, March 7, 1828, daughter of William and Elizabeth (Freeman) Hakes, natives of Nottinghamshire, England, where they lived and died. Mrs. Becker lost her mother when quite young, and so was obliged to take care of herself. She is the only member of her family who came to the United States, and she made the trip in 1848, sailing from Liverpool, England. She landed in New York city after a voyage of some weeks, and came thence to Morgan county, Illinois, where she remained a few weeks, and then came on to Arenzville, which has since been her home. She has proved herself a true wife and mother, always willing to do any amount of hard work. Mr. and Mrs. Becker have three children: Henry married Mattie Boyer, and resides in Arenzville; Mary died in 1882, at the age of twenty-four, being the wife of Herman Weber; Lizzie, wife of Ed. Petefish, farmers of Virginia, this county.