- FRANK F. BECKER, president of the First National Bank of Kaukauna, Wisconsin, was born at Little Falls, New York, December 13, 1863, son of Charles and Anna (Waltman) Becker, both of whom were natives of Germany. In the year 1850 they came to the United States, landing in the city of New York, and after a short stay in that state they came to Outagamie county, Wisconsin, and engaged in farming near Appleton. This farm Mr. Becker cleared and developed and resided upon until 1875, when he moved into Appleton, making that his home until 1906, then lived with his son, Frank F., at Kaukauna, where he died January 11, 1911, and his wife June 17, 1908. Mr. and Mrs. Becker were the parents of five sons and three daughters, three sons now living. Frank F. Becker was educated in the country schools and in the city schools of Appleton, and after that he became a clerk in his father's shoe store at Appleton for a short time, then was clerk in the post office under G. M. Miller for two years. Succeeding this he was with the Appleton Furnace Company and the First National Bank of Appleton for two years each, and for a like length of time was connected with the Commercial National Bank of Appleton. Having by this time acquired a practical knowledge of banking, he accepted the position of cashier of the First National Bank of Kaukauna. This well known financial institution of Outagamie county was established in 1887, capitalized at $50,000, and with Col. H. A. Frambach as president, M. A. Hunt, vice-president, and Hugo Kuehmsted as cashier. In 1889 Frank F. Becker became cashier, and on June 1, 1906, succeeded to the presidency, which position he still holds, the other two present officers being J. J. Martens, vice-president, and William J. Tesch, cashier. The First National Bank of Kaukauna is in a very prosperous condition, the report of the Comptroller of the Currency of June 7, 1911, showing the bank's resources far above its liabilities and a healthy growth having taken place since the last accounting. The officers and directors are recognized as men of high reputation and personal character.
In 1900, with his associates, acquired the Grand Rapids Waterpower and Boom Co. on the Mississippi river at Grand Rapids, Minnesota, and in 1901 organized the Itasca Paper Co., and built a complete ground wood pulp mill and print paper mill at that point, holding the position of president of both these companies. In the spring of 1904, with others, organized the First National Bank of Brillion, Wisconsin, and since its organization has been vice-president of the Brillion bank.
Frank F. Becker was married June 5, 1895, to Miss Lois M., daughter of W. A. Poor, of Dubuque, Iowa, and to them have been born two sons: Deane S., born March 24, 1897, and Karl W., born February 6, 1902. Mr. Becker is a Blue Lodge member of the Masonic fraternity at Kaukauna, of which he is treasurer, and of the Chapter and Commandery of Knights Templar at Appleton.
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1863 - 1920 (56 years)
1900 Census
