Richard S Decker (1825)

Born 10 Sep 1825 in Delaware County, New York

Ancestors

Problems/Questions Profile manager: Steven Decker [send private message]

Biography

"Richard S. Decker, farmer on sec. 2, Millbrook Tp., was born in Delaware Co., N. Y., Sept. 10, 1825. In 1833 his parents removed to Canada, and Mr. Decker remained there until he was 33 years old, when the family went to Illinois and settled in Kane County. In the fall of 1860 he came to Mecosta County and entered a claim of 40 acres of land under the Swamp Land act in Millbrook Tp., then attached to Hinton. Mr. Decker was a laborer from the age of four years until he became a farmer in Michigan. Previous to his 30th year, he was employed at intervals in a machine shop, alternating with farm work and as a carpenter. Two years before going to Illinois he was variously occupied, and in that State he was employed nearly three years as a carpenter. Reverses in Canada swept away all he had accumulated, and on coming to Mecosta County he began life anew. The township had no independent organization until 1865, and at the date of Mr. Decker's settlement this section was mostly in a state of nature, the first permanent inhabitants of the township having been resident but a year. In the spring of 1861 Mr. Decker entered upon the work of a pioneer; built a log house for his family and set about clearing his land. The year following he bought another tract of 40 acres of land and has since added 40 acres more, aggregating 120 acres in all of which he has been the owner. His home farm now contains 76 acres of his original estate, and nearly all of this is well improved. In 1870 the pioneer home gave place to its modern representative -- a good frame house, but the days of struggle and privation are still honored in the memory of those who had the fortitude voluntarily to confront them and the forethought to look beyond to the years of fruition sure to follow honest, persistent endeavor.

Mr. Decker was married Feb. 26, 1851, to Ellen, second daughter of Lorenzo and Fanny (Fisher) Aldrich. Her parents were natives of New Hampshire and Massachusetts respectively, and she was born in Lower Canada, Dec. 26, 1832. Mr. and Mrs. Decker have had seven children. The eldest, Danforth D., born Jan. 11, 1853, died a month after birth. Those surviving were born in the order named: Mary C., May 23, 1854; Ida M., March 11, 1856; Hiram S., May 22, 1858; Leonard H., May 3, 1863; Darwin D., Aug. 6, 1867; Addie J., Oct. 19, 1869.

In politics Mr. Decker is a Republican, as his record shows. He has served his township two terms as Supervisor, four terms as Treasurer, and has been Constable one year. While acting as custodian of the municipal finances he became involved in difficulties that caused serious trouble and considerable litigation. The safe where the moneys belonging to the township were deposited for security, was broken open and $800 abstracted; but Mr. Decker claims exoneration from responsibility in the affair.

He was drafted in 1864 and served in the Union army until the close of the war. His regiment was attached to the command of General Sherman, and Mr. Decker was in most of the engagements of that memorable campaign. Himself and wife are Adventists in religious belief. As one of the leading agriculturists and a prominent citizen of the county, we present Mr. Decker's portrait in this Album."^[1]

Notes

According to http://www.ontariogenealogy.com/uppercanadamarriages.html marriage was in 1852.

Sources

1. ↑ PBA, p. 419

• [PBA] Portrait and Biographical Album, Mecosta County, Mich., Containing Portraits and Biographical Sketches of Prominent and Representative Citizens of the County, Chapman Brothers, Chicago, 1883. Available on Google Books.