John Thomas Becraft
Sex: M
Individual Information
Birth: 28 Feb 1862 - Plumas Co, CA
Christening:
Death: 24 Oct 1930 - Sacramento, Sacramento Co, CA
Burial:
Cause of Death:
AFN :
Events
• Event, Plumas National, 6 Dec 1879 in Quincy, Plumas Co, CA
Page 3• Event, Plumas National, 27 Nov 1880 in Quincy, Plumas Co, CA
Letter from Greenville
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Greenvill, Dec. 2d, 1879.
Ed. National: -- Not to be behind in exhibiting her men of endurance and speed, Greenville came in for her share of glory on a six hour, go-as-you please walking match, and we can now rank ourselves with San Francisco and other cities, as having had a contest attended with unusual excitement and deep interest. On the morning of Thanksgiving Day our little town was filled with people, eager to witness the first walking match in the county. The merits of the eight contestants were discussed before the start, which took place at 10 o'clock. A. M., and respectively backed by coin. There never was such an exciting contest in this Valley, men, women and children being deeply interested in the progress of the trampers. Pools were opened and extensively patronized, with Cameron, Becraft and Frank Holmes as favorites, the rest selling in the field. Considerable money changed hands. The distance being a quarter stretch, a half mile was considered a lap. A good view was had of the field on Main street, and at the top of the bell the eight plodders started off, with Abe Holmes and Frazer in the lead, which they maintained for the first lap, but soon fell behind. Frank Holmes rapidly gained on his competitors, and kept the lead for the first two hours. As each contestant turned the stake he was loudly cheered, which seemed to act as a restorative to their wearied limbs. Frazer withdrew first, Emmons second and Abe Holmes third, the latter considerably used up. On his forty-second lap young Becraft, who was quite a favorite, and considered sure for a purse, met with an accident, running a splinter in his foot, having walked in his stocking feet. It was immediately extracted, and he skipped off again at a lively gait, amid the cheers of the crowd, but after he had made three more laps the pain in his foot became so severe that he was forced to withdraw. Sheldon, who made a good exhibition, and was considered good for third money, withdrew next, on account of a swelling in his foot, which left the field to Cameron, Lowry and Frank Holmes.
At the fourth hour the excitement ran high, and the last half hour it was at its pitch. Lowry passed Holmes, and astonished his friends by gaining on Cameron, and it was thought by many that he would succeed in getting first money, but as the time was drawing to a close it became evident that he could not accomplish it, although the distance at the close being only fifty feet between the two. The men were lustily cheered, and borne away by their friends, while Holmes, the third man, plodded along, and elicited much applause at his angular gait, much used by professionals. The affair was a success for Greenville, and the prevailing topic for discussion.
Another match is in contemplation, which bids fair to be a success. After the match several walks were indulged in by others, which caused much merriment. M.F. Levy was matched against Cameron, on his last mile, but it being a dead thing for the merchant, he won easily. Time not recorded. J.S. hall and W. Stanley endeavored to show their skill as pedestrians, but on his first lap Hall lost his equilibrium, and he fell into the lap of mother earth.
The following is the score of the contestants:
Name No Laps No Laps No Laps No Laps No Laps No Laps
1st hour 2nd hour 3rd hour 4th hour 5th hour 6th hour
A Cameron 10 1/2 20 1/2 33 1/4 44 1/4 54 64 1/4
John Becraft 10 1/2 22 1/2 33 1/4 43 1/4
John Emmons 10 1/2 22 29
Draper Lowry 10 1/2 21 1/4 31 1/2 42 1/2 52 1/4 64
F.D. Frazer 10 1/2 21 3/4 27
Frank Holmes 11 1/2 22 3/4 33 1/4 42 1/2 50 3/4 57
Tom Sheldon 10 1/2 20 29 1/2 37 3/4
Abe Holmes 10 19 3/4 29 1/2 39 1/2
Total No. of Miles
A. Cameron, 32 1/2 - First prise, $50; J. Becraft, 21 3/4; John Emmons, 11 1/2; D. Lowry, 32- Second prise, $30; F. D. Frazer, 13 1/2; F. Holmes, 28 1/2-- Third prise, $20; T. Sheldon, 16 7/8; Abe Holmes, 17 1/4.
Many amusing inccidents occurred during the day, but space will not permit to describe. The T.M.'s sat down to a grand dinner at the residence of Mr. and Mrs. Thom, where, it was reporte, many "laps"-- of the tongue and jaws--- were made over the bounteous supply of luxories which the lady members contributed. In the evening an enjoyable dance was held at the Union hotel, and dancing with a go-as-you-please was indulged in by a large crowd until the 'wee sma' hours. We hope to spend many more pleasant holidays like the one recorded.
Page 3• Census, Federal, 1900 in Seneca, Plumas Co, CA
The Waling Match - The Greenville Walking Match, on Thanksgiving Day, six-hours, go-as-you-please, was a success, and quite a crowd attended. The pools did not sell very lively, as it was thought that the parties were not evenly matched. The race began at 10 o'clock, sharp, with six entries, viz: A.N. Cameron, John Very, Draper Lowery, W.H. Leak, Peter Kelly, John Becraft. Very took the load for some time, but was overtaken and passed by Cameron, who went to the front and held the position all the way through. Kelly drew out first, with only eleven miles to record. Becraft dropped out next, with 15 1/2 miles. The contest then continued between the remaining four until eight minutes before the close, when Leak gave up all hopes of third money and dropped out, with 28 1/2 miles to his record. Cameron took first prise, amounting to $73, with 34 1/2 miles to his record, and exceeding his last year's record. Draper Lowery took second prise, $39, making 32 miles. John Very took the third prise, $20, recording 29 1/2 miles.
John T Becraft, b Feb 1862, age 38y, married 17 years, born CA, farmer; wife Mary E, b Dec 1857, age 42y, (5 children, 5 living), born CA; son Clarence H, b Aug 1884, age 15y, born CA, at school; dau Grace V, b Aug 1886, age 13, born CA, at school; dau Pearl S, b Jan 1891, age 9y, born CA, at school; dau Frankie J, b July 1894, age 5y, born CA; dau Viola S, b Feb 1898, age 2y, born CA.• Census, Federal, 1910 in Seneca, Plumas Co, CA
Hoosier, John L, boarder, b Feb 1823, age 77y, widowed, born IN, day laborer.
John Thomas Becraft, age 48y; wife Marietta, age 52y; dau Frankie, age 15y; dau Gretta, age 12y; dau Thelma, age 8y.• Census, Federal, 1920 in Sacramento, Sacramento Co, CA
John Becraft, age 58y; wife Etta, age 62y; dau Frankie, age 26y; dau Gretta, age 21y; dau Thelma, age 18y; Olive Gimblin, F, age 23y; Earl Gimblin, M, age 4y11m.• Census, Federal, 1930 in Sacramento, Sacramento Co, CA
John T, age 68, born 1861, CA, Marrietta, age 72, born 1857, wife.• Obituary, Plumas National Bulletin, 6 Nov 1930
Plumas National Bulletin, Quincy - 6 November 1930 2;4 John Thomas
Becraft, a native of Plumas County and for many years a resident of Indian
Valley, died October 24 in his home in Sacramento following a siege of ill
health that had extended over a period of five years. Funeral services were
in Sacramento and were attended by a large number of friends and relatives.
J.T. Becraft was born in Plumas County February 28, 1862 to Mr. and Mrs.
James T. Becraft. November 14, 1883, he took as bride Marietta Hamilton of
Big Meadows, now the site of Lake Almanor Dam.
For a number of years Mr. and Mrs. Becraft made their home in Big Meadows, moving finally into Indian Valley where they resided until 1918 when they removed to a farm upon the outskirts of Sacramento.
Becraft was active in farming until about five years ago when poor health
compelled his retirement.
A loyal, loving husband and father and a good neighbor and friend, his
death is deeply mourned by all who knew him.
Becraft is survived by his wife, a son, Clarence H. Becraft of Oakland and
four daughters, Mrs. Grace McBroom of Oakland, Mrs. Frankie Raulett of
Sacramento, and Mrs. Gretta Packard and Mrs. Thelma Renkert, both of
Richmond. He leaves two brothers, Charles E. Becraft of Washington and
Cyrus L. Becraft of Oregon and a sister, Mrs. May Kendall of Sacramento.
Parents
Father: James Thomas Becraft 1
Mother: Rebecca Ann Holmes 2
Spouses and Children
1. *Marietta E Hamilton
Marriage:
Status:
Children:
1. Clarence Hamilton Becraft
2. Grace Vivian Becraft
3. Pearl S Becraft
4. Frankie Jo Becraft
5. Gretta Violamae Becraft 3
6. Thelma Dorothea Becraft
Sources
1. Tim Becraft, "Thomas."
2. Tim Becraft.
3. www.familytreelegends.com, California Deaths, 1940-1997.