With the Assistance of
ERNEST WILLIAM WINKLER, M.A., TEXAS STATE LIBRARIAN
To which are added Historical, Statistical and Descriptive Matter pertaining to the important Local Divisions of the State, and biographical accounts of the Leaders and Representative Men of the State in Commerce, Industry and Modern Activities.
VOLUME III
THE AMERICAN HISTORICAL SOCIETY, CHICAGO AND NEW YORK
1914

William W. Decker

This is a name which has been well known and prominent in Denison since the early days of that city for a period of at least thirty-five years. Mr. Decker has for more than thirty years been engaged in the very important industry of brick manufacture, and at the same time has carried on a large business as a contractor'and builder. He can probably claim credit for a considerable share of material development in this section of the state and is a citizen whose worth and integrity are always above question.

William W. Decker was born September 13, 1857, at Owensboro, Kentucky, a son of H. S. and Mary E. Decker, also natives of Kentucky. His father was a brick manufacturer, and coming to Texas in 1878, established a plant for the making of brick at Denison, that being one of the earliest brick plants in that vicinity. 

Denison Daily News
Wednesday, August 25, 1880
pg.2

Denison City Directory
1901

He finally retired, and is now living in Denison, where his wife died about 1904. There are seven living children, and William W. is next to the oldest. Except one brother, all the others are in Texas, and a cousin of Mr. Decker is N. H. L. Decker, the prominent attorney and public leader living at Denison. The Decker family is descended from a combination of German and Holland Dutch stock, originally located in Pennsylvania. The early education of Mr. Decker was supplied through the public schools of Owensboro, his native town, and after considerable training and somewhat varied experience in other lines, in 1880 he began his business as a brick manufacturer at Denison. Since then he has added general contracting and is now the proprietor of a large and flourishing business.

In politics Mr. Decker has always aligned himself with Democratic policies, and fraternally is affiliated with the Woodmen of the World. On January 29, 1874, at Denison, Texas, he married Miss Addie Rogers, a daughter of G. B. Rogers, who for many years owned and operated an iron foundry at Gainesville, an industry which was one of great importance during the early days. Her father died several years ago. To the marriage of Mr. and Mrs. Decker have been born two daughters: Carrie May, now twenty-one years of age is the wife of Will Booth, a machinist on the Missouri, Kansas and Texas Railway; and Miss Rembert who is eighteen years of age and in 1912 graduated from the high school at Denison. Having lived in Denison for upwards of forty years, Mr. Decker might properly be considered an authority on certain advantages of that community, and he expresses himself forcibly with regard to the climate, the business opportunities and the general wholesomeness and prosperity of this thriving center of North Texas. He has witnessed a remarkable growth along all lines, and in every way has done what he could to promote the continued welfare and advancement of his home city. His home is at 1018 W. Sears street, while his business is conducted at 1308 West Crawford Street.