John J. Decker Biography


	This biography appears on pages 1226-1227 in "History of South 
	Dakota" by Doane Robinson, Vol. II (1904) and was scanned, 
	OCRed and edited by Maurice Krueger, mkrueger@iw.net.

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	JOHN J. DECKER, a prominent grain dealer of the thriving little 
city of Menno, is a native of southern Russia, where he was born on the 
31st of December, 1868, being a son of John and Katherina (Wallman) 
Decker, of whose ten children nine are living, all being residents of 
Hutchinson county. The parents were both born in southern Russia, but 
the paternal ancestry is of German origin, the grandparents of our 
subject having removed from Germany into Russia and there passed the 
remainder of their lives. In 1875 John Decker emigrated with his family 
to America, making the territory of Dakota his ultimate destination. 
Upon his arrival in Hutchinson county he took up homestead, pre-emption 
and timber claims, while by purchase of additional lands at later 
periods he increased the area of his estate until he became the owner of 
thirteen quarter sections of the richest land to be found in the state. 
He and his wife still reside on their attractive homestead, which is 
pleasantly located on the James river, three miles southeast of 
Milltown. He is a staunch Republican, and while never ambitious for 
office, he was nominated, without his personal solicitation, for the 
office of county commissioner, in the late 'seventies, and was elected 
by a gratifying majority, giving excellent service during his tenure of 
the position. He and his wife are consistent and valued members of the 
German Baptist church. 

	The subject of this review was about seven years of age at the 
time when the family came to America and took up their residence on the 
pioneer farm in this county, and in the public schools he secured an 
excellent training, so that at the age of twenty years he became 
eligible for pedagogic endeavor, having been a successful teacher in the 
district schools during eight winter terms, while during the intervening 
season he devoted his attention to farm work. During this time he 
zealously husbanded his resources, and utilized his earnings in a wise 
and judicious way, acquiring three quarter sections of land, of which he 
still retains possession, the same being well improved and greatly 
appreciated in value. In 1901 he rented his farms and established 
himself as a grain dealer in Menno, purchasing at the time one of the 
best elevators in the town, after which he purchased another one at 
about the same location, and he is now one of the largest grain buyers 
at this point, doing a prosperous business and commanding the confidence 
and respect of all with whom he has dealings. He also owns extensive 
mining interests in the Black Hills, and is a substantial and 
enterprising business man. He is a staunch adherent of the Republican 
party, but has no ambition for public office, and he and his wife hold 
membership in the German Baptist church. 

	On the 12th of June, 1891, Mr. Decker was united in marriage to 
Miss Elizabeth Hofer, of this county, and they have three children, 
Edward, Samuel and Lavina.