ASA Decker 

DIES

"Uncle ASA Decker", an old and respected citizen, died at his home in Monroe Precinct near Martha Furnace, DEC. 7,1893, at 5 o'clock A.m. after one weeks illness of pneumonia fever. The subject of our sketch was born in Knox County, Indiana Dec.27,1821, and was therefore nearly 72 years of age. When he was a small boy he moved to this state and settled with his parents on a farm near Shawneetown, where he spent his youthful days and grew to manhood, and consequently experienced the privations incident to the life of a farmer boy of that day.
A person of such age has witnessed a great many changes and wonderful development in this section of the state, and whose life and early history naturally were much blended.

When a young man of 21 years of age, he married Miss Lydia Patrick, of Gallatin County on the 27th day of February 1842, by Wm. J. Boyd a justice of the peace, who also was well, known to many people in Gallatin and adjoining Counties. They had therefore spent over 51 years in sweet companionship. Eleven children blessed this union, four of whom preceded their paternal parent to the grave. Seven, viz: John, Job, Asa Jr., Mrs. May Catt, Mrs. Malissa Lassater, Mrs. Florence Gullett and Mrs. Lydia gross, an aged widow and several other relatives are left to morn his death. Shortly after their marriage, Mr. and Mrs. Decker moved to Herod Spring, Pope County and reside there until 1866 , when he purchased and moved to a fertile farm in the bottoms of the Skillet Fork River where by honest toil he prospered until the failure of several crops in succession in the latter part of the 70's (This year blurred, could be wrong) almost engulfed several farmers of that section in ruin. In 1880 Mr. D. started to purchase his old home near Herod spring, but before he reached his destination, found and purchased one that suited him better and removed to it where he resided until his death.

Uncle ASA professed faith in Christ in 1868 under the spiritual advice of Rev. Father Winterhalter and united with St. Patrick's Holy Catholic Church in Enfield, Illinois. He was also a member of the O.O.F. (from which he had withdrawn) and the G.A.R.

When the war broke out Uncle ASA was one of the many brave men who gave his assistance to the preservation of the union and enlisted in CO. L. Sixth Calvary and served as sergeant for two years, when he was discharged for disability. During his absence, his wife with her small children cultivated the farm and awaited the return of the husband and father. The government granted him a a small pension during the downhill journey of life.
His remains were orderly laid to rest in Peter's Creek Cemetery in the presence of a large concourse of sorrowful friends and relatives. The Rev. John Thornton conducting the funeral services.

An honest, industrious, sober and virtuous man, a loving husband and kind and indulgent father, and a man who always has been such was called away to receive the awards of such a life. He was a kind and obliging neighbor, a charitable and tender hearted man. A friend to the fatherless-the homeless were never turned away but always found cheerful fireside in his home. He was always ready to relieve the needy to the extent of his ability. No one was ever turned away unfed. The shining goblet tempted him mot, nor did fallen virtue ever ensnare him. Such was the man, such was his life.

For his relatives we deeply sympathize, for they certainly keenly experience the anguish incident to long companionship and association of such a kindred. We cannot refrain from tears for the aged widow of the deceased, who will soon be called to join her companion -- the husband of her youth in the "land where parting is no more." Friends, weep no more for your earthly loss is his eternal gain. Prepare to meet him in that "peaceful haven where the wicked cease from troubling and the weary shall find rest."

"Tribute had he come to bring. But simply to the cross did cling."
Gallatin and White County papers please copy. Signed a friend.

Source: This obituary was sent to Deanna Heneghan from Marion Reynolds Lavendar, Harrisburg, Illinois 1998. The Decker family lived outside of Elizabethtown, Illinois at Decker Springs until the around 1920. Submitted by ©Karen Decker Weir and transcribed by Deanna Heneghan

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