Mecosta County MI Archives Biographies.....Decker, James N. September 8, 1819 - 
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File contributed for use in USGenWeb Archives by:
Jan Cortez http://www.genrecords.net/emailregistry/vols/00020.html#0004939 April 7, 2009, 10:53 pm

Author: Chapman Brothers

JAMES N. DECKER, farmer, sec. 10, Hinton Tp., is one of the pioneer settlers 
of Mecosta County, and was 

born in Green Co., N.Y., Sept. 8, 1819.  He is the eldest son of Gilbert D. 
and Mary (Stanley) Decker, 

both natives of New York, who moved to Canada in the fall of 1833, where the 
mother died.  The father came 

to Michigan to pass the closing years of his life with his children, an ddied 
at the home of his son 

Edward S., in Millbrook, Sept. 20, 1869.

Mr. Decker passed his youth in the care of his parents, and while in Canada 
was engaged in farming.  In 

the summer of 1865 he came to Michigan, and bought 160 acres of land, 
principally in an uncultivated 

state, paying therefor $750.  Its value and appearance have been so enhanced 
by cultivation and 

improvements, that it is held now to be worth $10,000.  The convenient and 
suitable buildings lately 

erected are a great ornament to the place.  After the purchase of the land he 
returned to Canada, and 

passed the winter of 1865-6; and in the following spring he came back with his 
son, built a log house, and 

made such improvements as were possible, clearing about secen acres of land, 
which was sown with wheat.  

He brought his family in the fall of the same year, and before winter. was 
finally settled in the 

Peninsular State.  Mr. Decker relates graphically his pioneer experiences, and 
the clearness of his 

remembrance, with the interesting character of the numberless incidents, 
entirely divest the recital of 

uniformity and tameness, though the tale is one oft repeated.

Mr. Decker shipped the first wheat from Mecosta County over the G. R. & I 
Railroad, and in 1873, harvested 

the heaviest crop ever raised in the county - 500 bushels from 10 acres.  He 
has been Township Clerk two 

years, Highway Commissioner three years, Justice of the Peace 11 years, 
Township Treasurer one year, and 

was elected Drain Commissioner in the spring of 1883, to serve two years.  In 
politics he is a Republican.

Our subject was married in the township of HOpe, Canada, Nov. 4, 1840, to 
Catherine, daughter of James and 

Mary (Walker) Flanagan, born July 20, 1818, in Canada.  Her parents were of 
Irish nativity, and settled in 

Canada in its pioneer period, and died there many years ago.

Mr. and Mrs. Decker have buried three of eight children:  Nelson, born Sept. 
26, 1841, died Oct. 23, 1870; 

Elizabeth, born Sept. 2, 1843, died Nov. 20, 1870; Catherine, born Nov. 23, 
1851, died Nov. 12, 1881.  The 

loss of their children has had telling effect upon the parents.  All had 
reached mature years, and their 

lives were full of promise.  The living children are:  Eliza, born June 2, 
1845; Hester A., June 23, 1847; 

Matilda, April 12, 1849; Mary J., Jan. 25, 1854; Amelia R., July 9, 1858.  Mr. 
Decker's father has about 

112 living descendants, principally in this country.

As one of the leading agriculturalists of this County, and a gentleman 
altogether worthy the position, we 

present the portrait of Mr. Decker in connection with this sketch.

Additional Comments:
1883 Portrait & Bio Album of Mecosta Co., MI.

File at: http://files.usgwarchives.net/mi/mecosta/bios/decker468nbs.txt

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