My Genealogy Hound

DECKER, EDWIN B. mechanic, Sec. 34, P.O. Rockbridge, was born in Claremont County, Ohio, June 15, 1823, third child of a family of six children born of James D. and Eliza Decker. The former was a native of Dusseldorf, Prussia, came to Pennsylvania in 1806. His wife was born in North Carolina. They were married in Petersburg, Ky.; was in the war of 1812; was at Dudley’s defeat at Fort Meiggs. The subject of this sketch emigrated to this State in the Fall of 1835, and located with his parents six miles southwest of Carrollton, where his father had made a purchase of some land, which was farmed by the boys, their father being a tailor. Edwin left the parental roof at the age of eighteen and went to learn the wagon maker’s trade, completing it, learned the carpenter’s trade, which he followed for about fourteen years. January 8, 1846, was united in marriage to Julia A. Hazelwood; had one child, John, who died at Little Rock, Mo.; was a member of the 11th Missouri Cavalry; first wife died in April, ‘47; was married the second time, April 4, 1849, to Elizabeth J. Ballard, born in Knox County, Tenn., September 25, 1833; had ten children, eight living: Irene, born July 3, 1853; Alfred, born February 29, 1856; Belle, born November 1, 1858; Laura, born December 2, 1860; Thomas H., born February 15,1863; Dellie, Allie, twins, born November 21, 1868; Mary J., born September 11, 1872. November, 1873, moved to Rockbridge, and has since been engaged at his trade; is an inventive genius; has lately gotten up an equalizer for a three horse doubletree which is pronounced a success. Democratic in sentiment.