Umatilla County OR Archives Biographies.....Decker, Benjamin H. October 9, 1859 - 
************************************************
Copyright.  All rights reserved.
http://www.usgwarchives.net/copyright.htm
http://www.usgwarchives.net/or/orfiles.htm
************************************************

File contributed for use in USGenWeb Archives by:
Carlene Still crstill@oregontrail.net July 31, 2006, 4:17 pm

Author: Colonel William Parsons 

Page 351

BENJAMIN H. DECKER
	Among the most active of the prominent citizens of this county may be 
mentioned the man whose untarnished career of aggressive enterprise, planned 
by uncompromising judgment and ability and executed in the consciousness of 
accomplishing the right, it is our pleasant privilege to epitomize.  Born to 
Jacob and Hanna (Benedict) Decker, on October 9, 1859, in Susquehanna county, 
of the old Keystone state, he passed there the early days of his existence and 
was then taken at the age of nine to Wisconsin by his parents.   Here he lived 
for nineteen years and acquired a good education, commenced in the district 
school and well finished in the seminary at Wasioja, Minnesota.  During this 
period he made his home with his parents and was occupied on his father’s 
farm, which was potent to develop and bring to the front the sterling 
qualities nature had endowed him with.  Later he spent one year in Colorado, 
buying and selling stock and real estate, with his brother.  He pressed on to 
Salt Lake City, still dealing in real estate, and from that place came to 
Umatilla county in 1891.  Further explorations were made in Idaho, where he 
engaged in lumbering for two years, after which he returned to this county and 
settled on the place where he now lives, twelve miles west from Helix.  This 
he purchased and has added to since until now he farms over eleven hundred 
acres.  Wheat is his favorite crop and after careful tests he is convinced 
that the red chaff variety is best suited to his region.  Stock raising 
occupies a portion of his time, having about forty head of fine graded horses 
and also a thoroughbred percheron stallion.
In fraternal relations he affiliates with the Knights of Pythias, the Odd 
Fellows and the Woodmen of the World.  On July 25, 1897, the marrage of Mrs. 
M. (King), daughter of J. R. and Eliza (Daft) King, and Mr. Decker occurred.  
Mrs. Decker has one child, Ada.
	In political matters Mr. Decker has always held a prominent position, 
having attended every county and some state conventions since his residence 
here.  All matters that are for the advancement of the county in general are 
ever championed by him.  His fearless stand for the right and uncompromising 
activity for the uplift of mankind and the good of his fellows have won for 
him the respect and love of his wide circle of acquaintances.



Additional Comments:
 An Illustrated History of Umatilla County by Colonel William Parsons and of 
Morrow County by W. S. Shiach with a brief outline of the early history of the 
State of Oregon.  W. H. Lever, Publisher  1902.


File at: http://files.usgwarchives.net/or/umatilla/bios/decker108gbs.txt

This file has been created by a form at http://www.genrecords.org/orfiles/

File size: 3.2 Kb