George Decker, a retired farmer, is a man known all over
Seneca County. He was born on his present farm in the town
of Tyre, March 25, 1820, and was one of several children born to
Jeremiah and Nancy (Bishop) Decker, who were people in moderate
circumstances. Early in life our subject was taught the value of
time and money.
Jeremiah Decker was born in the State of Vermont, and in the year
1810 came to Seneca County. Soon thereafter he was drafted into the
War of 1812 and served with his regiment for two summers. He was
born in 1780, and was therefore thirty-two years of age on the
outbreak of that conflict. Before going into the army he was
married to the widow of Joseph Southwell. Previous to her first
marriage she was known as Nancy Bishop, and her birth occurred in
Washington County, N. Y. Her first husband lived but a few years,
and at the time of his death she was living upon the estate which
our subject now owns.
The parental household included six children, of whom George, of
this sketch, was the fourth-born, and besides his brother Truman is
the only survivor. The latter is also a resident of this town and
is in good circumstances. The husband and father departed this life
in 1865, and was universally mourned. In politics he was a
Republican, and on that ticket filled many of the positions of trust
in his locality.
The subject of this sketch was born on the home place, where he was
reared by a loving father and mother. He attended the schools of
the district, and when twenty-one years of age began to do for
himself, working out by the month. He continued to be thus occupied
for four years, during which time he saved the greater part of his
earnings and made the first payment on ninety-two and one-half acres
of land which he purchased in the town of Junius. By industry and
economy he paid for this tract six months sooner than he had agreed
to. Selling out soon afterward, however, he bought fifty acres in
the same town, which he made his home for a period of two years,
when he disposed of this also and moved with his family to Fairfax
Court House, Va. Being dissatisfied with the place, he soon
disposed of his real-estate interests, and, returning to his native
county, became the owner of one hundred acres in the town of
Waterloo. After a residence of two years
on this place he sold out again, and, moving into the village of
Waterloo, established himself in the grocery business. This
investment proved to be a failure, and in less than a year we find
him engaged as a blacksmith and wagon-maker. Some eight months
thereafter he traded his stock for an eighty-acre farm near Grand
Rapids, Mich., but this was only an investment and he did not move
his family to that state, but traded his property there for forty
acres in the town of
Seneca Falls.
His parents being advanced in years, George went home and cared for
them until their decease. His father departed this life in 1865,
and he then purchased the interests of his brothers and sisters in
the place, and has since that time made it his home. He was
married, when about twenty-six years of age, to Miss Martha,
daughter of John and Polly (McNeil) Magee. Their union was blessed
by the birth of five children, Jeanie, who married
John Thorn, is
living in the town of Junius and is the mother of two children.
Carrie married Wilbur Hill, and their home is at Magee Corners,
where Mr. Hill is engaged in the grocery business; they have one
son. George died in infancy. Fred is married and makes his home in
Bureau County, Ill., where he is a farmer; he is the father of a
son.
In 1841 Mr. Decker voted for Clay, but since that time has been a
stanch supporter of Republican principles and candidates. For three
terms he has been Assessor, and has filled the office of Road
Commissioner for a period of ten years. As a member of the Magee
Corners Grange, he has filled most of the offices in the order, and
is at present a member of the Executive Committee of that body. His
devoted wife departed this live May 9, 1893. She had been to him a
true helpmate on his journey through life, and her presence in the
household is greatly missed.
