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the Decker Journey

mark of Jan Broersen Decker

The 10th Annual Decker Family Reunion held by the descendents of James Franklin Decker will be held at noon on August 2, 2009 at the home of Chris Decker, 233 Star Rd., Sanford Michigan.

6/27/2009 - Posted a biography of Casper G. Decker [son of Dr. Casper Shermerhorn Decker], who was born in Sullivan Co., New York in 1860, and lived in Elmira, Chemung Co., New York.

5/7/2009 - Posted a story of the settlement of Viroqua, Vernon Co., Wisconsin.  This village was first settled by Moses Decker (born in N. Y.) in 1846.

4/13/2009 - Added biographies of Decker men living in Mecosta County, Michigan in 1883, which includes Richard S. Decker, James N. Decker, Gilbert A. Decker, John D. Decker, and Peter S. Decker.  The biographies of Richard S. Decker and James N. Decker also include portraits (sketches).  These men all have connections to New York and Canada.

2/9/2009 - Posted photos from the descendents of Uriah Decker and Experience Baker, and contain many pictures of William Wood.  These photos are from an album collected by a family member, many of which are tintype, and date to the 1860s.

1/1/2009 - Added a Biography of John C. Decker (b. 1822) (Livingston Co., New York, grandfather from Germany)

12/31/2008 - Posted biographies of William H. Decker (1868) (grandfather was John A. Decker, born in Holland) and James Henry Decker (Troy & Watertown, New York), as published in Genealogical and Family History of the County of Jefferson, New York (1905).

12/31/2008 - Posted a history of Orion Township, Oakland County, Michigan, description of Decker settlement, named for Jesse Decker (1825) - from History of Oakland County (1912).

12/17/2008 - Added a Biography of Clark W. Decker (b. 1838), son of Uriah and Experience (Baker) Decker.  Also included is a biography of William Wood, who married Adeline Decker, daughter of Uriah and Experience.  These are from separate historical biographies from 1888 and 1879.  (Lenawee County, Michigan)

12/9/2008 - Added a Biography of Lawrence Decker (b. 1818), son of Peter L. Decker (reported as descendant of Jan Broerse Decker) and Cornelia Swart.  Also includes information on the parents and siblings of Lawrence. (New York, Branch County, Michigan)

12/2/08 - Added a Biography of Cecil E. Decker (b. 1852)  (New York, Gratiot Co., Michigan) [Also included is John Brewer, who married Mrs. Ruth Decker (nee Convis), daughter of John D. and Submitte (Graves) Convis]

11/28/2008 - Posted a 1909 biography of John Ferdinand Decker, born 1839 in Germany, lived in Erie County, Pennsylvania. 

8/13/2008 - Added a 1912 biography of Freeman L. Decker, born 1851 in Michigan, and long time politician who lived in Lake City, Michigan.

8/3/2008:  The 9th Annual Michigan Decker reunion was held today at the home of Chris & Peg Decker, just north of Sanford, Michigan.

7/21/2008 - Posted biographies of Samuel Decker, M.D. and George C. Decker, both of Delaware County, New York, from Biographical Review, 1895, Leading Citizens of Delaware County.

7/18/2008 - See the new picture of James & Eliza Decker, probably about 1897.  They are still very young and have one child with them possibly Charles Earl.  The photo was taken in Pinconning, Michigan, so is probably from when they lived in Rhodes, Michigan.  Since the next children born were twins, I am guessing it is prior to their birth, therefore likely about 1897.

June 2008 - My Trip to New York

7/12/2008 - Posted photos and inscriptions of Deckers buried in Arenac County, Michigan.

7/12/2008 - Posted an article on Johannes & Ruth Decker in Battle Creek, Michigan, based around the grave for their children buried in the 1870s and the statue placed there.

7/10/2008 - Added a list of Decker marriages in Indiana (1118 records) from Indiana Vital Records index.

Decker Family Association - Information

James Decker (r) - late 1800s, NY

My Journey

No one told me
The road would be so long,
No one told me
I'd sing a new song,
No one told me
The days would turn bright,
But, my Lord told me
To look for the light.

Now there is hope
For a future so bright.
Now there is hope
For ending this night.
Now there is hope
For eternal delight.
I just look to the Lord
And continue to fight victorious.

    By Burt Decker 1961-1997

This site is dedicated to the Decker family, descendents of James Franklin Decker, who came to the Midland Michigan area from New York around 1890. James (born in 1864) was the son of Samuel I Decker.

As I have gathered information the descendents of Jan Broersen to link up with those in my family, I have come across many other Decker families as well.  This website is my attempt at sharing the information that I continue to come across.

The information contained in this web site is, to my knowledge, accurate. Please feel free to fill any holes or correct any incorrect information.

James & Eliza Decker, prob. about 1897

(Photo sent to me courtesy of

Sharon Poole Sherrick)

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