Dechert, Walter H.

"WALTER H. DECHERT, farmer and stock raiser, P. O. New Chester, was born in Chambersburg, Franklin Co., Penn., May 2, 1854, a son of Peter and Margaret (Hoffman) Dechert, the latter of whom was born on the farm where Walter H. now resides, in Straban Township, and with whom she makes her home. Peter Dechert was born in Chambersburg, of German origin, and for many years was proprietor and editor of the Valley Spirit, at Chambersburg, and was widely known for his ability as an editor. Politically he was a Democrat. He died March 1, 1875, a member of the Lutheran Church. He was a man of enterprise and a citizen of much influence in the community. His family consisted of two children, of whom Walter H. survives. Our subject received a common school education in youth, and later attended the Pennsylvania College, at Gettysburg. He adopted farming as his vocation, at which he has been very successful and is the owner of 332 acres of land where he resides, which is well improved and stocked. In 1875, he married Emma Thomas, of German origin. They have one child - Mervin Roy. Mr. and Mrs. Dechert are members of the Lutheran Church, of which he has been deacon. In politics he is a Democrat. He is one of Straban’s prominent farmers. "