Early Life

Washington Becker was a banker born in South Worcester, NY. He attended Harvard University and graduated from the Albany law school.

Endeavors and Achievements

After moving to Milwaukee in 1874, he acquired an interest in the Nest Side Street Railway Company. He gained control in 1876 and served as president from 1880 until 1891. In 1890 he introduced electrically-operated street cars in Milwaukee. In 1891 he negotiated the transfer of the company's property and franchises to the North American Company of New York.

Becker was appointed receiver of the Wisconsin Marine & Fire Insurance Co. Bank in 1893, now called "the Mitchell Bank." He reorganized it and served as president of its successor, the Marine National Bank of Milwaukee, until his death. He was a director of the Northwestern National Insurance Company and the Central Investment Company.

Legacy

His son, Sherburn Merrill Becker was born in Milwaukee and attended Harvard College. Sherburn was a Republican and was elected mayor of Milwaukee at the age of 29, serving from 1906 to 1908. In 1911 he moved to New York City, where he was a member of the New York stock exchange from 1911 until 1932. Sherburn was the recipient of a large inheritance from his fatherand became a director of Milwaukee's Marine National Exchange Bank from 1930 until 1949, and president of the Hansen-Schmidt Tobacco Company of Milwaukee.

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