Decker, Wesley
Birth
Wesley Decker was born December 23, 1835, in South Berne. He was the son of Michael Decker and Elizabeth Bovie.
Occupation
Marriage & Children
On October 1, 1862, Wesley Mary Hope Fox, daughter of Samuel Fox in the Lutheran Parsonage in Berne. They had three children:
- Lucius M. Decker (October 5, 1863-1958, and perhaps named for Wes's deceased brother Lucius H. Decker who died 4 months earlier on July 3, 1863 in battle at Gettysburg)
- Walter Decker (Abt. 1866-1882)
- Arthur Wesley Decker (1869-1964)
Death
He died February 14, 1923, at 87 years of age, in Moores, Clinton Co., N.Y.
Obituary
Additional Media
Wesley (of Michigan) wrote a letter to his niece Hattie Kniskern on April 28, 1889 and mailed it several days later. Hattie was to marry Charles Deitz in six months. Wesley referenced his last visit to Hattie's father (John Calvin Kniskern of West Berne), as being 20 years earlier, and he referenced his birthday as December 23. He also references his sons Lucius and Arthur.
Ogden April 28th 89
Dear niece This day finds me seated to drop a few lines to you to let you no that I am in the land of the living and well with the exceptions a bad cold it is very nice wether here and a verry busy time seading I would like to drop in to see you all but can’t this summer it was 20 years ago last march that I was at your house whare your pa now lives you was a small girl how time slips it don’t seem over five years hattie why don’t you take a run up and see me when you go out to see brother will it haint but a little ways it takes only about thirty hours ride. I had a letter from will he said that Eva was verry low didn’t think that she would ever be any better I haven’t herd a word from my buoys since wone year ago this spring arther wrote to me & I answered it & that is the last I have herd of them arther was living in South Berne & lucius was living in the town of Renssellaer ville don’t know whare they are at present wish you would go to see the buoys when you get time would like to see your father and all the rest of the folks you think your father is gitting old I was 53 years the 23 third of last december & I don’t think that I am old think that I will live to be one hundred Excuse poor wrighting & Bad spelling. Can’t think of any more at present Hoping these few lines will find you Well Wright Soon I Ever Remain your Uncle Wesley. to Hattie Niskern Direct as before Sterling Arenac PO Mich
1889 envelope 
1889 letter p.1 
1889 letter p.2 
1889 letter p.3
Sources
