- CORNELIUS S. DECKER, a farmer residing on section 9, Rock
Township, was born in Orange
- County, N.Y., in the year 1820, and is a son of Levi and
Mary (DICKINSON) DECKER, both of whom were natives of Ulster
County, N.Y. On the paternal side he is of Dutch descent, his
grandfather, Peter DECKER, having been a native of Holland, but
who emigrated to this country prior to the Revolutionary War
in which he served. The maternal grandfather, William DICKINSON,
was a native of Germany, and also emigrated to this country in
early colonial days.
- Levi DECKER, the father of our subject, followed the occupation
of farming throughout his life,
- and remained a resident of the Empire State until called
to his final home at the age of ninety-four. His wife, who was
a member of the Dutch Reformed Church, died at the age of eighty
years. They reared a family of seven children, all of whom lived
to adult age - Peter, who was a miller by trade, died in Orange
County, N.Y., in his seventy-fifth year; William is a resident
farmer of Orange County; Cornelius S., is the next in order of
birth; Jacob and Levi, who were twins, both died in Orange County,
N.Y. A half brother, George WELLER, is now engaged in farming
in the same county.
- When a lad of fifteen years, our subject left the parental
roof, and began life's battles for himself.
- He served an apprenticeship of two years to the cabinet maker's
trade, but after having attained proficiency in that line was
forced to abandon it on account of failing health. Thinking that
perhaps outdoor exercise would be of benefit to him, he secured
employment as a farm hand, following that employment five years.
On the 27th day of October, 1841, he was united in marriage with
Jane E. ASHBY, who was born in Orange County, N.Y., and is the
daughter of John M. and Roena (MOULD) ASHBY. Her father was a
native of Dutchess County, N.Y., born of English parentage, while
her mother was born in Orange County, that State, and was descended
from German ancestry. Unto them have been born a family of ten
children, seven of whom lived to maturity, namely: Jonathan M.,
a resident farmer of Harmony Township; Francis, who is engaged
in farming in Thayer County, Neb.; Willie, who follows the same
occupation in Harmony Township; Theodore, a farmer of Illinois;
John, a tobacco dealer of Janesville; Ann, wife of David MOULD,
an attorney at law of Sioux City, Iowa; and C. S., Jr. , who
is at home.
- After his marriage, Mr. DECKER engaged in the cultivation
of a rented farm for twenty years, until
- 1855, when he emigrated to Rock County, Wis., settling on
section 7, Janesville Township, and purchasing 1100 acres of
land. This land was but partially improved, but he immediately
began its cultivation, making it his home for the long period
of twenty-one years, when he sold out and removed to Rock Township,
purchasing 40 acres on section 9, where he still continues to
reside. He is one of the self-made men of the county, having
made his own way in the world since fifteen years of age. He
is now numbered among the leading, enterprising and well-to-do
farmers of this community, and has the entire respect of all.
For five years he served his county as Chairman of the Board
of County Supervisors, and has always been a liberal contributor
to all church, social or education interests. Both Mr. DECKER
and his wife are member of the Presbyterian Church. They have
endeavored to give their children such educational advantages
as would fit them for any position in life which they might be
called upon to fill, and have lived to see them become respectable
men and women in the several communities where they reside.
-
- Taken from "The Portrait and Biographical Album of
Rock County, Wis." (c)1889, pp. 306-307.
-
- Courtesy of Carol
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