The daily Gate City. [volume] (Keokuk, Iowa) 1855-1916, 1916-02-02
WROTE BIOGRAPHY
FEW MONTHS AGO
Captain Decker Left Record Of Most
Important Dates in His Career
Written in June,
1914.
HE CAME HERE IN 1884
He Was Born In Ohio and Is De-
scended From knickerbockers Of
New York on Faith
er's Side.
HE CAME HERE IN 1884

A short time before his death, Cap
tain A. G. Decker wrote out short
biographical history. This was found
among his papers yesterday, and the
biographical sketch here IS made
from the notes and data contained in
the sketch which he himself wrote
some eighteen months ago, in June
1914
| A. c. Decker was born on Septem
Der 26, 1874. His father was de
| scendant on his fathers side of the
Hollanders. or what was known as the
Knickerbockers of New York City;
his mother was Scotch woman.
His mothers father was a Belfast
tScotch-Irish man, and her mother was
French
Licking county, Ohio. in what is
called Bowling Green valley, a few
miles east Of Newark, o., was the
birthplace Of Captain Decker. In the
to Illinois. The journey was made in
a moving wagon, which was typical
Of the period. The family settled on
a farm in McDonough county, few
miles southwest of Bushnell. Dece-
dent lived with his parents on the
farm until he was 81 years old.
He was married to Miss Olive ].
Cowdery Of Meigs county, o.. Janu-
airy IL, 1872. Three children were
born, two sons and one daughter all
living. In 1902 Mrs. Decker died.
Captain Decker's second marriage
was to Mrs. Nettie S. Weess on No
vember g. 1903.
Came Here In 1884.
On April 2, 1884, the Deckers
moved to Keokuk from Bushnell, H.
To quote directly from his history:
Il came here with James Ayers.
who was my partner in business, we
We're known as the Ayers & Decker
Manufacturing Co. We manufactured
barbed wire for number of years
Mr.. Ayers died in the tall of 1890.
After the death Of Mr.. Ayers l bought
up the stock and retired the same in
1881 and adopted the name of the
Decker Mfg Co. at the present time
have no partner in business, it
simply being A. c. Decker doing bust
the death of Mr.. Ayers / began to
make different lines of hardware spe-
cialties, and finally sold out the
barbed wire machinery and discon.
tinued the making of barbed wire, and
took up the manufacture Of hog
rings, hog ringers, and curry combs,
and otner hardware specia1ties."
Mrs. Harry Coulson who is the only
daughter of the decedent, arrived last
night. The two sons are expected to
arrive today. The body is expected
to arrive sometime during the day,
but the exact time is not known. It
will depend on the arrival Of the body
and the two sons as to the time for
holding the funeral
Request for Funeral.
Before Dr. George C. " ..liams, pas
tor of the First Congregational church
left here in 1914, Captain Decker
asked him if he would conduct the
last services. DR.. Williams assured
him that he would and last evening a
long distance telephone call to New
ton Informed DR.. Williams of the
death of Captain Decker. ne ex-
pressed his regret at the death of
his friend. and said that whatever ar
rangements were made he would
make his own plans conform, when
reminded of the promise he made.
Everywhere the greatest regret is
being expressed at the passing of Cap
tain Decker. He was well liked by
everyone who knew him. and kindly
remembrances of him are recalled by
almost everyone who speaks Of his
death. He was a kindly man, good
hearted and one who would help
friend who needed help.