Don't know if this is any connection to your Decker family lines, but the idea that your Grandfather was born in the early 1800's in New York and married a girl from Illinois and settled in Iowa caused flags to appear. My 2nd Great Grand Father was Zachariah Bruyn Decker. He was born 22 Jun 1817 in Shawangunk, Ulster, New York to Cornelius Johannes Decker and Gertrude Bruyn. By the time he was a young man he was located in Western Illinois. Zachariah joined the Mormon Church and was a member of the Mormon Battlion that marched to California at the end of the War with Mexico. He settled in Parowan, Utah and raised a large family with many decendants. The story goes that he left home and family and went West eventually settling in Springfield, Illinois at around 16 years old. While in Illinois he witnessed the Mormon's and their persecutions and joined their cause long before being baptized into the faith so he could accompany the Mormon Battlion. I just wondered if it is concidence that your Decker Grandparent seemed to be in same areas as mine. Good chance there was a connection. I can't locate your Grandfather in my records but he could easily be a cousin. I have a vast amount of information on the ancestry of Zachariah Bruyn Decker if it can be connected to you. Let me know if I can be of assistance. Regards, Jaymie Hunter Gull (blkcloud@mountainwest.net) ----- Original Message ----- From: Gary Merrill <ozobryum@mail.netnitco.net> To: <NYULSTER-L@rootsweb.com> Sent: Saturday, March 20, 1999 6:45 AM Subject: Jehiel Evert Decker, b 1830 > I am seeking information on my gr gr grandfather, Jehiel Evert Decker, born > in NY State, 1 Jan 1830, died Buchanan Co IA 4 Mar 1890, married Caroline > Baker, dau of John and Belinda (Lane) Baker in Boone Co IL. > > A Jehiel E Decker appears in the 1850 census, town of Rochester, Ulster Co > NY, aged 20, in the household of Jacob Hornbeck. On 25 Sep 1865, Jehiel E > Decker of the 'county of Boon in the State of Illinois' purchased land in > Buchanan Co IA, which was owned by Horace Eaton and wife of Sullivan Co NY. > > I would appreciate hearing from anyone with information, or suggestions as > to how to proceed. > > Gary Merrill > ozobryum@mail.netnitco.net > >