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Submitted: 3/14/15 • Approved: 8/4/15 • Last Updated: 3/16/18 • R56769-G0-S3
*FROM FIND A GRAVE MEMORIAL MAINTAINED BY DEBRA STANLEY*
Johannes Decker was the son of Josiah and Mary (Elma) Decker, both of Holland ancestry. They moved to Michigan when Johannes was a boy. Quite early in life he began his career as a dry goods man by accepting a clerkship. Later he was engaged as a clerk in the silk department of A.T. Stewart, a prominent dry goods merchant of New York city. In 1866 he returned to Battle Creek and accepted a clerkship here. The year following, he made his first independent business venture, engagin in a partnership with S.M. Ashby. In the year 1899, he gave is undivided attention to the real estate business. He was known for one of the most reliable and trustworthy men in his line of business in the city.
Mr. Decker married Miss Ruth A. Whitmore, the daughter of Giddings and Susan (Houston) Whitmore of Fredonia township, Calhoun County, and the marriage occurred on September 4, 1867.
Johannes and Ruth had two children. Lila died when she as age three in 1872. She died of Scarlet Fever which was prevalent in those days. They had another child that was born premature and was delivered as a stillborn in 1875
Contributed on 3/14/15
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Record #: 56769