BIO: Michael J. DECKER, Centre County, PA Contributed for use in the USGenWeb Archives by JRB Copyright 2009. All rights reserved. http://www.usgwarchives.net/copyright.htm http://www.usgwarchives.net/pa/centre/ http://www.usgwarchives.net/pa/centre/1picts/commbios/comm-bios.htm _____________________________________________________________________ Commemorative Biographical Record of Central Pennsylvania: Including the Counties of Centre, Clearfield, Jefferson and Clarion: Containing Biographical Sketches of Prominent and Representative Citizens, Etc. Chicago: J. H. Beers, 1898. _____________________________________________________________________ M. J. DECKER, one of the leading citizens and self-made men of Potter township, Centre county, has made his home upon his present farm since November, 1892. Under his able management the land yields bountiful harvests, and the excellent improvements seen thereon stand as a monument to his thrift and enterprise. He started out in life for himself with no capital save a pair of willing hands and a determination to succeed, and by the exercise of perseverance, industry and economy is now the possessor of a handsome competence. Mr. Decker was born in George's Valley, Centre county, April 26, 1833, a son of Michael and Barbara (Price) Decker. The father's birth occurred December 15, 1795, in the southern part of the State, where his father, Casper Decker, died. When a young man, Michael Decker came to Centre county, accompanied by his mother, who lived with him for some time. Here he worked at the carpenter's and millwright's trades, or in fact anything by which he could earn an honest dollar. In Centre county he married Barbara Price, who was born in George's Valley, May 7, 1800, a daughter of Jacob Price. In the place of her birth they spent their entire married life, and from its primitive condition the father developed a farm, but never accumulated much property. He was a Democrat in politics, and at one time served as overseer of the poor. His death occurred in March, 1880, that of his wife in August, 1871, and both were laid to rest in the Sprucetown cemetery. After her death he was again married, and by the second union had five children, of whom one died in childhood. Michael J. Decker, the subject of this review, is the seventh in order of birth in the family of ten children born of the first marriage, namely: Mary, born December 12, 1818, wedded Nicholas Sheriff, and died in Juniata county, Penn.; Ann, born September 9, 1821, married John Gall, and died in Ohio; Casper, born June 28, 1824, died in boyhood; Elizabeth, born March 18, 1826, is the wife of Lot Evans, of Stephenson county, Ill.; Margaret, born September 12, 1829, is the widow of John McNeal, and lives in Chicago, Ill.; Barbara, born July 9, 1831, married Samuel Leitzel, and died in George's Valley; Michael J.; J. Thomas, born December 12, 1835, died in Flemington, Penn.; Catharine, born August 2, 1837, died February 13, 1897 (she had been a mute from the time she was two years old); and Greene V., born October 25, 1839, is a resident of Gregg township, Centre county. In George's Valley our subject was reared to manhood, and his education was such as the district schools of the locality afforded at that early day. During the winter time he assisted his father in the sawmill at the expense of his schooling, while his summer months were passed in farm work as soon as he was able to handle a plow or be of any service in the cultivation of the land. He remained at home until his mar- COMMEMORATIVE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 271 riage, giving his father the benefit of his labor. On October 17, 1860, in Millheim, Centre county, he was united in marriage with Miss Elizabeth Stahl, who was born in Crawford township, Clinton Co., Penn., September 7, 1837, a daughter of Jacob and Nancy (Shaw) Stahl. Her father, a farmer by occupation, was born in White Deer Valley, near New Columbia, Penn., and when a young man removed to Clinton county, where he purchased land and made his home until his death. Mrs. Decker was the second in a family of ten daughters, and at the age of ten years left home and lived with relatives until her marriage. Like her husband she obtained her education in the district schools. They have six children, whose names and dates of birth are as follows: Nannie W., October 29, 1862; Barbara E., May 3, 1866; Francis W., May 4, 1868; Anna May, May 9, 1871; James L., May 20, 1874; and Maurice J., March 19, 1885. Of these, Barbara E. is the wife of W. O. Rearick, of Centre Hall, and Anna May is the wife of Hiram Lee, of Potter township, the others being at home. For three years and a half after his marriage, Mr. Decker lived upon his father's farm in George's Valley, and the first property he owned consisted of sixty acres in Nittany Valley, near Hublersburg, upon which he made his home until able to sell at an advantage. He then removed to Potters Mills, where for a short time he conducted a store, and on disposing of his interests there he bought land in George's Valley, where he resided for some time. Subsequently he engaged in the grain business in Coburn, Centre county, and was very successful along that line, continuing the same until his removal to his present farm, which at that time was not in a very flourishing condition. He has erected several new buildings upon the place, and made other valuable and useful improvements. He is the owner of two fine farms, aggregating 230 acres of rich and arable land, and his accumulations are but the just reward of his own untiring labors. Mr. Decker uses his right of franchise in support of the men and measures of the Democratic party, and is at present serving as overseer of the poor. He has also held the office of school director, but declined to serve a second term. Both himself and wife are faithful members of the Methodist Church, of which he was steward for several years, and is at present trustee. The family is one of prominence in the community, holding a high position in social circles, and their pleasant and hospitable home is always thrown open for the reception of their many friends.