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This biography was transcribed by Diana, volunteer
for the US Biographies Project at www.usbiographies.org
Biography from:
"An Illustrated History of Skagit and Snohomish Counties" Author: various compilers
Interstate Publishing Company,1906;Page 591
CHARLES E. BECRAFT is one of the successful farmers of the Mount Vernon district of Skagit county and one of the type of men who exchanged mining for agriculture. He was born in
Plumas county, California, in October of 1855, the son of James Becraft, a native of Kentucky, born in the days soon after Daniel Boone had opened up the Ohio valley and called the attention of the Virginians to its fertility and attractiveness. The elder Becraft was born near the old Boone place, and as a boy knew the famous old pioneer and hunter. In 1853 he crossed the plains to California and engaged in mining. In 1890 he came north to Oregon and commenced to raise cattle. He is still living there. Mrs. Rebecca (Holmes) Becraft, the mother, was a native of Indiana and was living in Missouri when married. She was the mother of nine children. Charles E. Becraft received his education in the schools of Plumas county, though when nine years of age he commenced to alternate school with work in the underground mines. Hearing of good mining prospects along the Skagit river, he came here to prospect. Mining did not repay him for his efforts and he worked at logging and farming. In 1889 Mr. Becraft took up a pre-emption at McMurray lake and resided there for three years, when he came to Mount Vernon and bought forty acres of land. After clearing seven acres of it and putting out three in orchard, Mr. Becraft sold out and purchased his present farm of ten acres about a mile northwest of town, where he has made his home since 1899.
In Seattle in 1883 Mr. Becraft married Miss Annie B. Snyder, daughter of John W. Snyder, a Pennsylvania farmer, who went to California in 1849. He later returned to the East, but in 1862 was back in California, coming to Skagit county in 1890. In 1903 he returned to California and passed away there a year later. Mrs. Narcissa (Murphy) Snyder was also a native of Pennsylvania, now living in California. Mrs. Becraft was born in Plumas County, California, in 1863, and there attended the schools. She came to Washington with a brother-in-law in 1883, met and married Mr. Becraft. Mr. Becraft is the father of eight children, all born in Skagit county. They are John E., Rebecca, Rachel, Ruth, Archibald, Leo, Irene and Ethel. In politics Mr. Becraft is a Democrat. His small farm is all under cultivation and in excellent condition. He has a small herd of good cattle. Though not one of the Skagit fanners who are enjoying large estates, he is recognized as one of the good citizens of the community and of unimpeachable integrity.
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