Essex County NJ Archives Biographies.....Caton L. DECKER, 1854 - 1913
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Joy Fisher http://www.genrecords.net/emailregistry/vols/00001.html#0000031 November 9, 2008, 2:36 am

Author: Mary Depue Ogden, Editor  (1917)

DECKER, Caton L.,
Public-Spirited Citizen.

  The death of Caton L. Decker, which occurred at his late home at 117 William
street, East Orange, New Jersey, April 7, 1913, deprived that city of one of its
leading business men, who was a merchant and banker for many years, a man of
excellent characteristics and manly qualities which endeared him to a wide
circle of friends who estimated him at his true worth.

  The name of Johannis Decker is mentioned among those who settled in the town
of Montgomery, Orange county, New York, between the years 1678 and 1778, and it
is practically authenticated that he was either a son or grandson of Abraham
Decker, the American progenitor, who came from Holland and settled in Copake,
New York, about 1757. Jacob Decker, grandfather of the late Caton L. Decker, was
a native of Orange county, New York, from whence he removed to Chemung county,
same State, where he married Eunice Kelsey, according to tradition the first
white child born in the town of Ashland, Chemung county, New York, born March
16, 17S9, daughter of Abner Kelsey. Among their eight children, six sons and two
daughters, was Harrison Decker, father of the late Caton L. Decker, born at
Wellsburg, New York, May 5, 1820, died October 10, 1874. He was a well-known
operator in the oil fields of Pennsylvania for many years, and a leading man in
his community. He married Harriet Tubbs, daughter of Charles Tubbs, who was a
lineal descendant of William Tubbs, of Duxbury, Massachusetts, who was made a
freeman of Plymouth Colony in 1637, and in June of the same year was one of
those who volunteered for service in the expedition against the hostile Pequot
Indians who were then committing serious depredations and otherwise proving a
menace to the colonists. Mrs. Decker died in 1878. Six children were born to Mr.
and Mrs. Decker, as follows: Charles M., born in 1850, a leading merchant in
East Orange; Caton L., of whom further; Frank T., born in 1857; Annie, born in
i860; Guy, born in 1862; J. Frost, born in 1868.

  Caton L. Decker was born at Wellsburg, Chemung county, New York, December 16,
1854. He attended the schools of his native town, and being an attentive student
acquired an excellent education. At an early age he began to earn his own
livelihood, being employed in various occupations. Later, in young manhood, in
partnership with his brother, Charles M. Decker, he engaged in the grocery
business in New York City, and shortly afterward they purchased a grocery
business in East Orange, formerly owned by Benjamin F. Cairnes, and under the
style of Charles M. Decker & Brother conducted an extensive and profitable
business. Both brothers were men of experience and integrity, and these
characteristics, combined with great sagacity and rare judgment, were active
factors in the success which crowned their well-directed efforts. In due course
of time the business became the largest of its kind in the entire State, they
conducting branch stores in various towns, including all the Oranges, Montclair,
Bloomfield and Morristown, and enjoying the patronage of the wealthiest and most
select residents of that section of New Jersey. Caton L. Decker devoted the
greater part of his time to the purchasing of the stock, making a careful study
of the numerous articles handled in a first-class grocery establishment, and the
success attained was ample proof that his judgment could be relied upon. All of
their stores occupied good locations, being in the center of the business area.
and their window display attracted immediate attention.

  Caton L. Decker was also interested in other enterprises which had for their
object the upbuilding of the Oranges. He was one of the founders of the People's
National Bank of East Orange, and served as a director from its organization
until his death. He took an active interest in the public institutions, schools
and libraries, and contributed generously to the support of the North Orange
Baptist Church, and of which his wife has been a member since the age of
fourteen years. She has been active in the Sunday school and the various
societies of the church, serving in the capacity of secretary of the Woman's
Benevolent Society for twenty-five years, composed of the women, and her mother
and grandmother were constituents of the church. Mrs. Decker has also been an
active factor in the charitable societies of her community.

  Mr. Decker was of a kind and genial disposition, had a wide circle of close
personal friends and his counsel and advice were often sought. He derived his
greatest enjoyment in his home, surrounded by his family to whom he was
devotedly attached.

  Mr. Decker married, in 1875, upon attaining his majority, S. Alice Hoyt, born
in Orange, New Jersey, daughter of George and Sarah Elizabeth (Taylor) Hoyt, a
great-granddaughter of Daniel Hoyt, a soldier in the Revolutionary War, and a
descendant of old New England stock in many lines. Children: 1. Edmund Lockwood,
married Margaret Gould; children: Jennette, Edmund, Margaret, Gould Caton. 2.
Harriet, died at the age of three weeks. 3. Florence M., wife of Robert Albert
Palmer, of New York City: children: Robert Caton and Jean. 4. Harold Caton. 5.
Ernest Guy, died at the aere of nineteen years. 6. Alice Mable. 7. Blanche. 8.
Reginald Harrison, married Aubrey Von Hoffe. 9. Dorothy. 10. Nelson.


Additional Comments:

Extracted from:

MEMORIAL CYCLOPEDIA OF NEW JERSEY

UNDER THE EDITORIAL SUPERVISION OF MARY DEPUE OGDEN

VOLUME III
MEMORIAL HISTORY COMPANY NEWARK,  NEW JERSEY
1917


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