USA > New York > Historic homes and institutions and genealogical and family history of New York, Volume IV > Part 21
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Agnes, born September 20, 1886; John J., born Angust 31, 1889; Gertrude, horn October 12, 1891; Joseph Eugene, born August 7, 1893; Louise, born July 27, 1895; Catherine, born Jannary 19, 1897, died aged six months; Edith Ilelen, born February 19, 1899; Gerald Sylvester, born December 29, 1900. Mr. Darcey and his family are faithful communicants of St. Mary's of the Assumption Roman Catholic Church at Port Richmond.
Dennis J. Darcey, a representative citizen of the town of Northfield, borough of Richmond, where he has been engaged in farming and contracting for a number of years, was born October 29, 1852, at Port Richmond. His educational training was obtained in the schools of Port Richmond, public and pri- vate. He remained under the parental roof, assisting his father up to manhood years. In 1882 he became engaged with his brothers in contract work, continuing in the same up to 1886, in which year he and his brother James purchased a farm com- prising the lands now occupied by Prohibition Park. The two brothers continued their interests up to 1891, when Dennis J. disposed of his interest and purchased the homestead where he now resides, comprising about forty-eight and a half acres of rich and arable land. Mr. Darcey has since added twenty-five acres by additional purchase, and now successfully operates his farm and dairy interests himself. In 1893 he became engaged in contract work in addition to his farming interest, and continued the same successfully up to 1898, having during this time en- tered into large contracts for the building of bridges and high- ways in the borough of Richmond. Politically Mr. Darcey, upon attaining his majority, gave his support to the Democratic party, but since 1892 has cast his allegiance with the supporters of Republicanism.
Dennis J. Darcey married, February 14, 1890, Mary Louise Powers, daughter of John Powers. Of this marriage has been born one daughter, Margaret, July 27, 1891.
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GEORGE W. BYLES.
George W. Byles, a successful and enterprising yacht and boat builder of ('ity Island, borough of the Bronx, where he has been engaged in ship building for a number of years, was born in the seventeenth ward, borough of Brooklyn, September 16. 1848, son of William H. and Eliza (Barker) Byles. His father, William H. Byles, was a native of England, and his mother was a native of Eastchester, Westchester county, New York. William H. Byles was for many years engaged at the trade of ship carpenter in Brooklyn, where he was employed with the celebrated ship builder, George Steers, who designed and built the yacht "America," that won the English cup, a trophy much prized by American yachtsmen.
Mr. Byles died May 4, 1876, and the faithful wife and moth- er of his children died in May, 1885. They had by their nnion in marriage a family of seven children, of whom George W. and William H., of New York city, are the only surviving ones.
George W. Byles was reared and educated in his native city, and upon attaining to manhood years learned the yacht and boat building trade. On June 1, 1869, Mr. Byles came to City Island, where he became engaged in the ship building trade, which line of enterprise he has successfully followed up to the present period. Among his patrons are many well known New York families. By his skill and enterprise Mr. Byles has done much to improve and design various classes of pleasure craft and has become recognized as one of the leading yacht and boat builders of City Island. Mr. Byles is a member of City Island Council, Royal Arcanum. He was married at City Island, Au- gust 17, 1872, to Mary A. Pease, born July, 1848, daughter of Elias and Mary H. (Fowler) Pease.
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DECKER FAMILY.
The family bearing this name is not only one of the most aneient, but one of the most numerous on Staten Island. The ancestor was Johanes De Deeker (a name which indicates a French origin), who came to this country as early as 1655. He was a prominent man and filled many important offices. He finally settled on a farm of one hundred and twenty aeres on Staten Island. The prefix De, although honorable, was discon- tinned by later generations, and the name for the last century has appeared in its present form. The following fragments of genealogy may serve to connect some of the present branches with the past. Johanes De Decker appears to have had three sons : Mattheus, Pieter and Charles.
Mattheus De Decker had a son John, baptized September 7, 169 -; Abraham, baptized October 21, 1707; Elizabeth, April 17, 1711; Mattheus, , 1715.
Pieter De Decker married Susannah Hetfield. Their chil- dren are: Maria, baptized September 21, 1718; Johanes, July 24, 1720; Susanah, May 24, 1724; Sara, October 23, 1726; Mat- theus, June 10, 1728; Eva, March 26, 1732; Abraham, April 7, 1735.
John De Decker, son of Mattheus, married Maria Swaim and had a daughter, baptized July 3, 1726.
John De Deeker, son of Pieter, married Nanny Merrall, and had son Johanes, April 19, 1743, and Richard, baptized April 26, 1748.
Richard Decker, known as Colonel Richard, was born May 15, 1747, died May 26, 1817. He married Wyntie Merrill, and had a son Richard, baptized October 26, 1788.
Charles De Deeker, son of Johanes, married Lena Swaim and had a son Mattheus, March 16, 1733, who had wife Miriam and a son Israel, August 28, 1763.
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John Decker, son of John, had wife Elizabeth and a son Renben, August 6, 1766, who married Mary Swaim, July 25, 1790.
Abraham Decker had wife Phebe and son Noah, March 26, 1773, and Charles.
Mattheus Decker made his will April 26, 1787, proved Sep- tember 15, 1787, and mentions wife Catharine and children : Matthew, Margaret, Elsie, Elizabeth Ann and Catharine.
Hon. John Decker, of Port Richmond, represents one of these branches. They are descended from Benjamin De Decker, who was probably son of Matthens, son of Pieter. Benjamin had sons: Benjamin, Abraham and David. Of these David married Catharine Decker, and had children: Matthias, Ben- jamin, David and John Decker.
DAVID D. DECKER.
The Decker family is represented in the present genera- tion on Staten Island by David D. Decker, born on Staten Island, March 13, 1826.
He received his early education in the public schools there, bnt later went to the schools in Rahway, New Jersey, and New York city, completing his education there. After leaving school he commenced business as a dealer in oysters and sea food of all kinds. He has continued in this business all his life with the exception of two years, which he spent in California. He was quite a young man when he undertook this trip, and made it in a sailing vessel. He returned to Staten Island in 1851, having been very successful during his stay in California, and concluded to settle down in Staten Island. He is one of the most prominent men in his line of business in Staten Island, and is considered very prosperous. He still takes an active interest in all that concerns the town in which he lives.
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He married, June 7, 1854, Mary A. Christopher, born on Staten Island, July 23, 1838, daughter of John and Maria (Can- non) Christopher. Mr. Christopher was born in New Spring- ville, Staten Island, 1805, and married Maria Cannon, who was also born on Staten Island. He followed the occupation of a waterman all his life. Mr. and Mrs. Christopher were the par- ents of three children: Andrew, John W., and Mary Ann, who married David D. Decker. Mr. and Mrs. David D. Decker were blessed with three children, as follows: 1. Christopher, born March 17, 1855, married Jane Eliza Merrill, and has children: Fred, Wilber, Janette and Mildred. 2. David W., born June 2, 1862, married Agnes Decker, and they were the parents of two children: Marian and Hilda. 3. Charles M., born September 20, 1875, married Flora MeLarty. . David D. Decker and his wife are consistent members of the Methodist Episcopal church.
RAYMOND DECKER.
The family of Decker has for some generations been set- tled on Staten Island. Richard Decker, the grandfather of Raymond Decker, was born in 1777, died December 8, 1848. He was a farmer. He married Mary Dupuy, who was born in 1772. They had six children: Margaret, Eliza, Content, John R., Jacob, Daniel R.
Jolin R. Decker, eldest son and child of Richard and Mary (Dupuy) Decker, was born in 1805, in the town of Northfield, Staten Island. He followed the occupation of a hatter. He married Tabitha J. Christopher, born in 1805, and they had four children: Raymond, of whom later; Mary E., deceased; Catharine, married Martin Zeluff; and Margaret L., also de- ceased.
Raymond Decker, only son and oldest child of John R. and Tabitha J. (Christopher) Decker, was born April 20, 1828, at
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Bulls Head, Staten Island. He received his education in the public schools of Staten Island, and showed remarkable apti- tude as a scholar, being of a bright and inquiring turn of mind. When almost twenty-one years of age, he embarked on a sailing vessel bonnd for California, and celebrated his com- ing of age on the ocean. Upon reaching California, he set out for the gold mines, and being blessed with health, ambition and a spirit of enterprise, he spent a year and a half there very profitably. He then returned to Staten Island, having been away from his home two years. Then for a time he lived with his father. Mr. Decker married, January 22, 1851, Eliz- abeth A. Wood, born September 1, 1832, daughter of Peter and Elizabeth A. (Cox) Wood; Mr. Wood was born on Staten Island and was in the oyster business. He and his wife had five chil- dren: Abraham, Freman, Sarah, Elizabeth and Euphemia. Mr. and Mrs. Raymond Decker had four children: 1. Sarah E., born January 22, 1852, died March 20, 1882; she married Peter D. Post, and had two children: Edmond, born September 2, 1871; and Geneva, born October 8, 1875. 2. Emma J., born No- vember 10, 1856, died at the age of four months. 3. Willard, born June 2, 1858, is a carpenter by trade, and married Maggie Decker, born in 1858. 4. Emma J., born July 30, 1871, mar- ried John W. Decker, and they have two children: Mildred, born July 19, 1899; and Hazel, born July 17, 1901.
JOHN L. DECKER.
The Decker family is to be counted among the early set- tlers of Staten Island, having lived there for many generations. Abraham Decker, grandfather of John L. Decker, was born on Staten Island. He had learned the trade of shoemaking and followed that occupation throughout his life. He married Mary Ostien, who was also a native of Staten Island.
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David A. Decker, son of Abraham Decker, was born on Staten Island, 1793, died there August 4, 1864. He learned the trade of shoemaking with his father and, like him, followed this occupation all his life. He married Ruth Leonard, born in 1787, granddaughter of John and Jennie (Morgan) Leonard. John Leonard was blind and was engaged in the profession of music.
John L. Decker, son of David A. and Ruth (Leonard) Decker, was born March 27, 1837, in the city of New York. When he was about eighteen years of age, his father moved to Staten Island, and it was there that John L. completed his education. He entered business as a dealer in timber, and installed the first telephone on Staten Island. Mr. Decker is an enterprising, ambitious man, always ready to lend his assistance to further the interests of the town in which he lives, and is popular, both in the commercial and social world in his vicinity. He married, May 8, 1859, Sarah Jane Daniels, born October 18, 1835, in New York city, daughter of Joseph and Elizabeth (Butts) Daniels, both natives of England, where they were married. Mr. Daniels was a young man when he came to America, and was an expert tailor. He and his wife settled in New York, where his diligence and thrift soon made a comfortable living for them, and it was there that their only child, Sarah Jane, was born. Mr. and Mrs. John L. Decker have two children: 1. Sarah E., born January 20, 1861, married Joseph Conley, born August 28, 1852, died November 1, 1889. Mr. Conley worked in Linoleumville. 2. Clara B., born December 5, 1869, married William A. Morgan, born May 2, 1873, on Staten Island. He is a carpenter and joiner and lives in his father's house.
SYLVANUS S. DECKER.
The Decker family settled on Staten Island a number of years ago, and one of their descendants was Moses S. Decker,
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who was born on Staten Island, in 1803. He followed the oyster business, in which he was successful. He married Susan A. Decker, born in 1815. There were five children born to them: Amanda, Emily, Sylvanus S., see forward, Theodore, William R.
Sylvanus S. Decker, third child and eldest son of Moses S. and Susan A. (Decker) Decker, was born on Staten Island, August 8, 1839. He received his education in the public schools of Staten Island, where he was an attentive and industrious scholar. He followed in the footsteps of his father as a dealer in oysters and sea food of all kinds, and has amassed a com- fortable fortune in this business. He is a man of well known probity and integrity, and is prominent in his social circle. His demeanor is affable and he has a host of friends.
Sylvanus S. Decker married, on Staten Island, Hannah A. Decker, born on Staten Island, January 25, 1842, daughter of Moses H. and Eliza (Egbert) Decker. Moses H. Decker was born on Staten Island, 1824, and was engaged in waterside trade; his wife, Eliza, was also born in 1824. Mr. and Mrs. Moses H. Decker had three children: Adeline, Edmund, Han- nah A. Mr. and Mrs. Sylvanus D. Decker were the parents of one child, Lillian M., born May 6, 1868, on Staten Island, and is the wife of Claude Van Pelt, and they are the parents of four children: Claude V., born July 17, 1891. Florence, born July 13, 1895. Gordon, born December 10, 1897. Cornelia, born October 8, 1903. Mr. Van Pelt, born December 22, 1868, has a very desirable position in a factory.
SAMUEL DECKER.
The Decker family is represented in many branches on Staten Island, among them being Sylvanus Decker, who was born on Staten Island and received his education there. Upon
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attaining the age of manhood, he engaged in the oyster busi- ness, which he has since then followed with considerable profit and success. In addition to this he opened a hotel, which has become a very popular resort, and aids materially in building up a snug fortune. Mr. Decker married Abby J. Decker, and they had nine children: Richard, Rebecca, Catharine, Eliza, John, Enoch, Abraham, David, Samuel.
Samuel Decker, sixth son and youngest child of Sylvanus and Abby J. (Decker) Decker, was born on Staten Island, 1836, and there he received his education, attending the public schools. Upon leaving school he followed the occupation of farming for several years, and then gave that up in order to establish him- self in the butcher business, in which he has been very success- ful. He is very methodical in his business habits, pleasant and obliging to his customers, and always retains those whom he has once acquired. He has a large number of friends, as his manner is always genial, and he has a hearty welcome for all who come to him. He takes an active interest in all matters of public welfare.
He married Mary Eliza Decker, born June 25, 1842, and they are the parents of five children: 1. Julia, born December 8, 1863, married Daniel Daniels and has five children living : Harry, Lillian, Sadie, William and Dorothy. 2. Emma, born November 20, 1864, married John Lisk, and has one daughter, Florence. 3. Mary L., born August 1, 1869, married John W. Decker, and has three children: Grace, Sadie and William. 4. Hattie, born March 23, 1872, married Theodore Decker, and has one child, Roy D. 5. Frederick M., born November 18, 1874, married Carrie Egbert, born November 7, 1877, and they have one child, David, born January 6, 1901. Mrs. Samuel Decker's father was David Decker, born on Staten Island, 1823, and he married Catharine Taylor, born on Staten Island, 1822; they had two children: Hiram, born May 20, 1846; and Mary Eliza.
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SHERMAN DECKER.
The Decker family has been well represented on Staten Island for a number of generations. Jacob R. Decker, father of Sherman Decker, was born on Staten Island, 1833, was edu- cated in the public schools there, and lived there all his life. After leaving school he entered into business. Many members of his family had been engaged in the oyster trade, and he thought he could not do better than follow their example, being possessed of a fair knowledge of the business to start with. He was not disappointed in his expectations, as he was success- ful in the occupation he had chosen to follow. He married Jane Robieny and they were the parents of the following named children : Dayton. Mary, Alvina, Sherman, see forward; Charity, wife of Moses Decker, who was also born on Staten Island, and engaged in the same line of business as Jacob R. Decker, his father-in-law.
Sherman Decker, fourth child and second son of Jacob R. and Jane (Robieny) Decker, was born in Deckertown, Staten Island, January 1, 1842, in the house in which he still resides. He was educated in the public schools of Staten Island, and npon leaving them took a business course at Paine's Commer- cial Academy, in New York city. This proved of great advan- tage to him when he entered business life. He commenced the business of oyster planting and has continued that up to the present time. In addition to attending to his oyster business, Mr. Decker fills a position as inspector of roads. He is a man of great energy and force of character, which he clearly shows in the manner of performing the duties which his work entails. He is active in forwarding every movement which will be for the benefit of the town in which he resides, is methodical and systematic, and has great business capacity.
Sherman Decker married Adeline Decker, born at Long
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Neck, Staten Island, and they have had eleven children: Viola, Lyman, Estella, Elroy, Bertha, Nelson, Grace, Rosalie, Caro- line, Harrison, Malvina.
JAMES H. DECKER.
The Decker family has been settled on Staten Island for many years. Thomas Decker father of James H. Decker, was born on Staten Island in 1811. He was an oysterman and a boatman by occupation. He married Susan Wood, born on Staten Island in 1816, and they had six children: Gilbert S., Sarah E., Adrienne, Sylvanus D., James H., and Abraham.
James H. Decker, third son and fifth child of Thomas and Susan (Wood) Decker, was born at Travisville, Staten Island, September 16, 1843. He received his education in the public schools on Staten Island, and was a bright and promising scholar. Upon leaving school he entered the oyster business and engaged in waterside trade, in which he was very success- ful, and remained thus employed until 1885, when he obtained employment in the linoleum factory and has held the position of watchman for fourteen consecutive years. He is highly regarded by his employers as a model of integrity and faith- ful attention to his duties, and is greatly respected by his fellow townsmen.
James H. Decker married (first), December 31, 1870, Harriet Elizabeth Leonard, born August 13, 1852, on Staten Island, daughter of John and Ann (Van Pelt) Leonard, and they had the following children : 1. Anna A., born July 4, 1871, married Harry E. Doyle, who is a salesman. 2. Isaac S., born October 17, 1876. Mrs. Harriet E. Decker died February 17, 1880. Mr. Decker married, April 15, 1885, Mary E. Austin, born February 12, 1865, in Wakeman, Ohio. They have had three children. 3. Howard D., born June 8, 1886. 4. Percival
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A., born August 4, 1890. 5. Ernest E., born July 3, 1893. Mrs. James H. Decker's father was Julius Austin, born in 1828, in Norwalk, Connecticut. He was a cooper by trade. He married Agnes Roland, born in New York, February 28, 1835, and they had seven children : Julius, Lillian, Edward R., Mary E., Jennie, Susan, Charles.
EPHRAIM P. DECKER.
For many generations the Decker family has been well represented on Staten Island among the farmers and oyster- men. Matthew Decker, father of Ephraim P. Decker, is well known in business as an oysterman; and he was formerly a successful farmer, thus carrying out the habits of his family. His wife was Mary Decker.
Ephraim P. Decker, son of Matthew and Mary (Decker) Decker, was born on Staten Island, September 28, 1844. He was educated in the public schools on Staten Island, and after leaving them he accepted a position as clerk in Washington Market, New York city. When but seventeen years of age he joined the army during the Civil war, at the first call for volunteers, and served with bravery and honor until the close of the war. He was acknowledged to be a soldier who never shirked any duty that fell to his lot, however unpleasant it might be. This devotion to duty has characterized him through- out his life, and has made of him the successful business man that he has become. Mr. Decker has numerous friends and bis cheery, genial manner has endeared him to all who know him. His tales of his experiences during active service in the war are always listened to with the greatest interest by his audience.
Mr. Decker married, November 5, 1867, Eleanor E. Birds- all, born April 16, 1845, daughter of William H. and Helen
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(Moran) Birdsall. William H. Birdsall was born in 1823, in Brooklyn, and was connected with the Brooklyn Daily Eagle. He married (first) Helen Moran, born in New Jersey, in 1825. They had two children : Eleanor E., married Ephraim P. Decker; William. Mr. Birdsall married (second) Frances Snedecor, born in 1828, in Brooklyn, New York, and she bore him seven children: Leonora, Arabella, George Washington, Andrew Jackson, Jordan, Hudson, Florence. Mr. and Mrs. Ephraim P. Decker are the parents of eight children: Frank P., born February 17, 1868. Jessie, born May 6, 1870, died the same year. Grace M., born August 26, 1872, married George B. Decker. George W., born December 2, 1875. William H., born February 7, 1877. Florenee E., born August 15, 1879. Libbie V., born September 12, 1883. Walter E., born February 19, 1887.
OSCAR L. DECKER.
The Decker family have for many generations been resi- dents of Staten Island. Samnel Deeker, the grandfather of Oscar L. Deeker, was born on Staten Island, and was a success- ful farmer and boat builder there.
Elias Decker, son of Samnel Decker, was born on Staten Island, 1809. He was educated there in the publie schools of that time, and after leaving school engaged in business along the waterside, condneting a flourishing business. He married Louisa Deeker, born in 1814, on Staten Island, daughter of Jolm M. Decker, born on Staten Island, pursued the oecupa- tion of farming. Mr. and Mrs. Elias Decker were the parents of four children: Araminta, born March 7, 1840, died Mareh, 1891; she married William H. Lyons. Elias, born March 27, 1843. Oscar L., born March 18, 1845. Alida, born January 8, 1854, married Peter L. Cannon.
Oscar L. Decker, third child and second son of Elias and
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Louisa (Decker) Decker, was born March 18, 1845, in the town of Northfield, now third ward, borough of Richmond, Staten Island. He received a good education in the public schools of that town. and after leaving school turned his attention to the oyster trade and continued in that with a great deal of success until about 1900. He desired then to engage in a business that would not require so much outdoor work, and finally decided upon the coal business as meeting his requirements. In this he has been very fortunate, and has continued thus en- gaged until the present time (1906). Mr. Decker is a man of great firmness of character and decided views. He is deliber- ate in making up his mind, but when he has once decided he holds to his opinion in spite of all opposition. He is pleasant in his demeanor and this has conduced greatly to his success.
Mr. Decker married, April 18, 1869, Phoebe E. Price, born at Tottenville, Staten Island, January 8, 1850, daughter of Elias and Catherine (Van Allen) Price. Elias Price was born Au- gust 31, 1809, on Staten Island, and married Catharine Van Allen, born on Long Island, May 12, 1805. Mr. and Mrs. Elias Price had five children: Ellen M., Catharine J., Harriet L., Elias and Phoebe E., wife of Oscar L. Decker. Mrs. Decker's grandfather was David Price, born on Staten Island and fol- lowed the occupation of a waterman. His wife was Nellie E. Decker. Mr. and Mrs. Oscar L. Decker are the parents of one child, Sarah Du Bois, born July 18, 1870, wife of William E. Decker, born December 18, 1866, and whose occupation is that of farmer and gardener. Mr. and Mrs. William E. Decker have one child, William O. Decker, born December 15, 1891.
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