Decker, Joseph H.

JOSEPH H. DECKER.

Mr. Decker may be regarded as one of the most enterprising and successful representatives of the agricultural interests of Montgomery. His family are of Dutch extraction, and at an early date sought the rich lands of Orange and Ulster Counties. Johannes Decker, the grandfather of Joseph H., was first a resident of Kingston, Ulster Co., from whence he removed to Blooming-Grove. His birth occurred April 16, 1741, and that of his wife, Annatie Hasbrouck, Dec. 29, 1747, her residence at the time of her marriage being Marbletown, Ulster Co. Their children were Jacob, Cornelius, John, Rachel, Ann, Jonah, Elsie, and Matthew. Their son Cornelius was born in 1770, and resided in the township of Montgomery until his death in 1835. He was united in marriage to Miss Hannah Duryea, of Blooming-Grove, and had children,— George, Joseph H., John, Ann, Hannah Maria, Rachel, Caroline, Dolly, and Cornelius.

Joseph H. was born May 12, 1800. The years of his boyhood were principally devoted to labor. The educational advantages at that early day were exceedingly limited, and he was able to gain simply the rudiments of knowledge at the neighboring district school. At this time were acquired those habits of industry and frugality which laid the foundation for later success, and enabled him to become the possessor of a competency for his advancing years. He was on Dec. 30, 1819, married to Miss Maria, daughter of Adam Dickerson, of Montgomery, whose birth occurred Oct. 25, 1804. Their children have been Hannah Jane, born 1821; Harriet A., whose birth occurred in 1823; Francis C., born in 1830; Joseph H., born in 1839; Anna Mary, born in 1842; and Cornelius, born in 1835. The only survivor of this number is Francis C., who resides with his parents. Their daughter Hannah Jane was married May 7, 1851, to Hon. Hugh Barkley Bull, who was born in Crawford township, Oct. 1, 1816, and was a descendant of one of the earliest families of the county. He studied law with Henry B. Wisner and Hon. Samuel J. Wilkin, both of Orange County, and on being admitted settled in Montgomery, where he practiced his profession with success. He served as district attorney of Orange County in 1847, was elected to the State Legislature in 1851, and was also secretary and counselor of the Montgomery and Erie Railroad. His life was distinguished by great usefulness, and his death sincerely mourned. Mr. and Mrs. Bull left one child, Maria P., who died Feb. 25, 1880.

Joseph H. Decker has followed farming pursuits during his lifetime. In 1875 he purchased the farm which is his present residence, having formerly lived in the village of Montgomery, or on land adjacent to it. In politics he was early an Andrew Jackson Democrat. Circumstances, however, induced him to change his views, and he became a Republican. He is an attendant upon the services of the Reformed Dutch Church of Montgomery, of which Mrs. Decker is a member. Mr. Decker may well be regarded as a self-made man.