This is a Message Board Post that is gatewayed to this mailing list. Classification: Query Message Board URL: http://boards.ancestry.com/mbexec/msg/rw/zV.2ADI/1838 Message Board Post: EZRA DECOTO The subject of this sketch, whose portrait appears in our work, was born in Lower Canada, September 2, 1833, and is the son of Charles and Mary (Gerbeto) Decoto. Having resided with his parents until fifteen years of age, he went to Hazardville, Connecticut, and worked there, afterwards becoming foreman in a cooper’s shop for four years, at which time he started for California. Leaving New York, April 15, 1854, on board the Moses Taylor to the Isthmus of Panama, on the Pacific side per George Law, he arrived in San Francisco May 18th, and directly proceeded to Alameda County, and commenced raising strawberries on the Encinal of Alameda, an occupation he continued two years, when he embarked in the business of raising potatoes in the same place. In 1858 he changed the field of his operations to San Leandro, and embarked in the cultivation of potatoes and the cereals, which he prosecuted for four years, at which time he removed to Haywards, and there far! med until 1867. Mr. Decoto then disposed of his property, and with his brother purchased three hundred and thirty-four acres from Jonah C. Clark, where he settled, and commenced farming. Here he farmed until 1871, when they sold two hundred and eighty-four acres to the Central Pacific Railroad, and reserved the balance, on a portion of which he now resides. In 1873 he purchased one hundred and ten acres near Washington Corners, and disposed of it in 1881. Has been School Trustee for ten years. Married, August 21, 1860, Miss Janet Lowrie, a native of Stirling, Scotland, and has a family consisting of four girls and three boys, viz.: Charles, born June 6, 1861, died February 20, 1869; Lizzie, born April 4, 1863; Mary, born May 8, 1865; Peter, born January 4, 1869; Janet, born February 14, 1871; Alvena, born June 25, 1873; Ezra, born February 6, 1876; Lewis, born June 20, 1868. [1878?] History of Alameda County, California…, Oakland, M.W. Wood Publ., 1883 p. 873