Becker, Minton Washington

From Helderberg Hilltowns of Albany County, NY

Birth

Minton Washington Becker was born in Berne on June 18, 1885, son of Lewis Henry Becker and Sarah E. Barton.

Occupation

Sometime in the mid 1920's, Minton who learned the leather trade with Charles Bebee established a shoe repair business succeeding Alfred Young at the 125 Maple Ave. site in Altamont, New York. That portion of the building housed "Beckers Shoe Repair" and another section held various tenants. Following the deaths of Mr. and Mrs. Young, Minton, purchased the building in July 1934 and continued to operate the shoe shop until his death in 1955. Minton harness and shoe repair shop was where you to go if one needed any type of leather goods repaired. His daughter Helen who worked beside him took over the shop after his death. They also sold penny candy for a penny. That's when a penny was worth a penny.

Marriage & Children

Minton married Lucilla Wayman in September of 1955, in Middleburgh, Schoharie County. He and Lucilla had three children:

Death

Minton passed away September 18, 1955 in Altamont at the age of 70.

Additional Media

Mrs. Lucilla Becker

Mrs. Lucilla Wayman Becker, 70, died suddenly Friday morning, June 14, (1957) at her home, 125 Maple Ave., Altamont. The widow of Minton Becker, she was born in Breakabeen and had lived in Altamont many years. She was a member of St. John's Lutheran church, where she was active in women's groups, serving as president of the Ladies' Aid society and treasurer of the Women of the Church. She was president of the Guilderland Center group of the Women's Christian Temperance Union.

She is survived by a son, Donald, Schenectady; two daughters, Helen Becker of Altamont and Mrs. Marjorie Bernhardt of Scotia; several brothers and five grandchildren. Funeral services were conducted Monday afternoon at the Fredendall Funeral Home, with the Rev. Cornelius J. Meyer of Altamont Reformed church officiating. Burial was in Fairview cemetery.

Altamont Enterprise - June 21, 1957

Minton Becker has purchased the Shoe repairing outfit of Alfred Young and will continue the business at the old stand in a part of Mr. Young's residence on Maple avenue.

Altamont Enterprise - March 30, 1923

Becker-Rose

The home of Mr. and Mrs. Fred Rose of Altamont was the scene of a wedding on Tuesday afternoon, December 30th (1931) at 2 p.m., when their daughter, Dorothy M., was united in marriage to Donald M. Becker, son of Mr. and Mrs. Minto Becker, also of Altamont. Miss Addie Clark of Syracuse was bridesmaid and William Jeram of Newtonville was best man.... They left amid a shower of confetti in a well decorated car for Tomhannock for a few days after which they will return to Altamont for prepare for leaving for their new home near Valley Falls.

Altamont Enterprise - January 2, 1931