Philip Becker

Who was Philip Becker?

Philip Becker was Mayor of the City of Buffalo, New York, serving 1876–1877 and 1886–1889. He was born in Oberotterbach, Bavaria, Germany, on April 25, 1830. He graduated from college in Germany at sixteen years of age. In 1847, Philip and his older brother were provided the means to pay the fare to America and he settled in Buffalo, where his aunt and uncle lived. In 1852, he married Sarah Goetz. He entered the retail and wholesale grocery business. Becker was instrumental in organizing the German Insurance Company in 1867 and was President of the company from 1869 until his death.

He was elected mayor on November 2, 1875, as the Republican candidate. He was the first German-American elected mayor of Buffalo. During his first term, in March, 1876, the new County and City Hall was opened. He was defeated by Solomon Scheu in the election of 1877. On November 3, 1885, Becker was once again elected Mayor of Buffalo. He was reelected on November 8, 1887 At the end of his third term, he did not seek re-election. He returned to his business enterprises and retired in 1893. Becker died on July 4, 1898, with an estate valued over $750,000. He was buried in Forest Lawn Cemetery.