John W. Decker (1820 - 1878)

Born 20 Apr 1820 in Deckertown, Sussex, New Jersey

Ancestors

Descendants

Died 19 Jul 1878 at age 58 in Port Jervis, Orange, New York

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Biography

John was born on April 20, 1820, in Deckertown, Sussex County, New Jersey. He was a son of David Decker. John moved to Sparrowbush at the age of five and remained there as a successful farmer until 1865, when he sold his farm and moved to Port Jervis, New York. He was once in the shoe and boot business under the name Decker & Higby, but he spent the final years of his life working as a watchman for the Erie Company depot and yard. He was an active member of the Baptist church since the age of 21. He had five children, three of whom were living at the time of his death in 1878. The surviving children were: Mrs. William L. Yarrington of Carbondale, Pa, Mrs. Harrison King of Otisville, and Mr. John E. Decker, ticket agent in Port Jervis. His wife also succeeded him. The two children who died before him were: Eliza, wife of M. V. Heiler, who was Erie agent to Port Jervis, and his son William Walter Decker who died in Fredericksburg during the Civil War. ^[1][2]

In 1850, the family was counted on the census in the Town of Deerpark, Orange, New York. John and "Catharine" were both 30 and they had four children in the home: Eliza Decker (12), Walter Decker (10), Mary Decker (8), and Martha Decker (2). ^[3]

In 1860, the family was still living in Deerpark. He and Catherine were 40 years old. He was a farmer. Children in the home (no relationship given on that census) were: William W. Decker (20), Mary J. Decker (18), Martha C. Decker (13), John E. Decker (5), and Lydia C. Heller (1). ^[4]

"A Dastardly Assault. While Mr. John W. Decker, a nightwatchman in the employ of the Erie Railway co., was attempting to arrest a man for stealing wood from an Engine near Germantown on Sunday night last, he was struck on the forehead by a companion of the thief and the two made their escape. Mr. Decker was seriously thought not dangerously injured. The assailants will be arrested." - Tri-States Union, Port Jervis, NY, April 1869

In 1870, his family was still living in Deerpark, Orange County, New York. John and his wife, Catharine, were both 50 years old and two of their children were in the home: John E. Decker (age 15) and Lida Decker (age 11). A railroad conductor, Charles Wilcox (age 34), was also living in their home. John's occupation was "R.R. Policeman". ^[5]

"The funeral of the late John W. Decker, took place from the residence on Main street, at ten o'clock a.m., Monday. The funeral discourse was delivered by Rev. William McKinney, from Psalms 116:15 - "Precious in the sight of the Lord is the death of his saints." prayer was offered by Rev. Dr. Mills. The remains were interred in the cemetery at Sparrowbush." - Port Jervis Evening Gazette, Tues., July 23, 1878.

"For Sale. Farm for Sale - Part of the estate of John W. Decker, deceased. Farm of 72 acres, nearly all improved plow and meadow land, house and barn. Situate 8 miles up the river in Pennsylvania from Barrett Bridge, for quick buyer. Will take $600 for it. John H. Wood, Real Estate Agent, Port Jervis, N.Y." - Port Jervis Evening Gazette, Fri., Feb. 4, 1887. Also published on 2/7, 2/8, 2/10, 2/12, 2/15, 2/16, 2/17, 2/18, 2/19, 2/25,

Sources

1. ↑ Port Jervis Evening Gazette, Saturday, July 20, 1878.
2. ↑ Port Jervis Evening Gazette, Tuesday, July 23, 1878.
3. ↑ "United States Census, 1850," database with images, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:MC19-WX3 : 9 November 2014), John W Decker, Deerpark, Orange, New York, United States; citing family 329, NARA microfilm publication M432 (Washington, D.C.: National Archives and Records Administration, n.d.).
4. ↑ "United States Census, 1860," database with images, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/3:1:33SQ-GBSH-4C3?cc=1473181&wc=7Q5P-MMR%3A1589422212%2C1589423736%2C1589432524 : 24 March 2017), New York > Orange > Town of Deerpark > image 82 of 132; from "1860 U.S. Federal Census - Population," database, Fold3.com (http://www.fold3.com : n.d.); citing NARA microfilm publication M653 (Washington, D.C.: National Archives and Records Administration, n.d.).
5. ↑ "United States Census, 1870," database with images, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/3:1:S3HY-DTNW-DQ?cc=1438024&wc=92K5-N3D%3A518819101%2C518997001%2C520066701 : 22 May 2014), New York > Orange > Deerpark > image 51 of 236; citing NARA microfilm publication M593 (Washington, D.C.: National Archives and Records Administration, n.d.).