Bio: Decker, Mr./Mrs. Walter – Century Farm ( Aug 1972)

Transcriber: stan@wiclarkcountyhistory.org

Surnames: Decker, Geisler, Humke, Miller, Lucey, Sharp

----Source: THORP COURIER (Thorp, Clark County, Wis.) 31 Aug 1972

Mr. and Mrs. Walter Decker, route 2, Greenwood (Clark Co., Wis.), will be receiving a certificate signed by Governor Patrick Lucey signifying they have a Clark County farm which has been in the same family for at least a century.

With the hay crop to be harvested and unpredictable weather, the Deckers declined to accept the invitation to the festivities at the Wisconsin State Fair last week, where recognition was officially given. They have received the letter stating the certificate will arrive within the next several weeks.

It was Frederick and Mary Decker who had purchased the land on October 27, 1871, from a Mrs. Sharp, who had vast holdings in the area. Of the Deckers, six sons and three daughters, only one, Mrs. Ed (Emelia) Geisler of Cornell, is living.

In 1902 Ferdinand Decker, Frederick’s son, took over the farm. He and his wife, the former Meta Humke, built the present house and other buildings.

The Ferdinand Deckers had two children, Walter and Lillian. It was Walter who came home from Chicago in 1951 to take over the farm. Walter Decker had started out as a cheesemaker, where the present Barr’s Tavern is now located. In 1934, he and his wife, the former Martha Miller, moved to Indiana, where they lived for 11 years before going to Chicago.

The Deckers have 35 to 40 head of beef and dairy cattle, which they plan to cut down when they sort of retire someday. Mrs. Decker said she was reluctant to leave the city, but wouldn’t go back for anything now. Their home has been remodeled and the farm is modernized so little hired help is needed.

They both like to travel and have been to the west coast several times, and might possibly to east this fall. He has belonged to a bowling team and she has many flowers to keep her busy. They are members of Immanuel United Church of Christ, and she also belong to the Ladies Aid.

Usually century farms are in the fourth generation, but in this case it is the third generation. To have a century farm, the title must remain with blood descendants or legally adopted descendants. Clark County has relatively few century farms.