John W. Decker

NJGenWeb ~ Morris County, New Jersey

John W. Decker

Reared in one of the richer agricultural belts of the State of New Jersey, John W. DECKER, of Whippany, Morris county, has always given his attention to farming, and is a thoroughly practical and progressive farmer, following advanced methods, yet at the same time adopting no visionary schemes. The industry and honorable purpose which lead to success are his and have brought him a competence. William DECKER, his father, was born in Passaic county, New Jersey, where he was a farmer, and died at the age of eighty-two years. He married Julia Ann RHINESMITH, also of Passaic county, and they became the parents of eight sons and two daughters.

John W. DECKER was born in Passaic county, New Jersey in 1846, and there was educated in the public schools. Two years after leaving school he enlisted in Company D, 33d Regiment, New Jersey Volunteer Infantry and served from 1863 until mustered out in 1865 at the close of the Civil War. After his return from the war be engaged in the express business in Newark, and was successfully identified with this for a quarter of a century and then returned to agricultural pursuits. He settled in Troy Hills, Morris county, for a time, then sold this property and, in 1902 located at Whippany, where he purchased a farm of sixty acres. He cultivates this for general market purposes, and has made many improvements on the property, including new buildings, etc. He is a staunch supporter of the Republican party, and has served as a member of the school board Mr. DECKER married (first) Hester BROWN, and had children:

Mrs. Bertha REEVES;
Arthur J who married Etta SMITH, of Newark, and has children: Dorothy and Arthur.

Mr. Decker married (second) Lizzie C. WARD of Newark, July 14, 1883, and has children:

Ethel, a schoolteacher in Newark:
John Russell,
Edith a teacher in Hanover township, Morris county.

Transcribed by Ida King