I need clues to my great-grandfather Henry Decker. He was born in 1856, married Jennie Florence Emm

LegacyUser

I need clues to my great-grandfather Henry Decker. He was born in 1856, married Jennie Florence Emmert in 1881 in Cook County IL, and over the next five years fathered Lucius, Olive, Wallace and Earle.

Henry was probably alive in 1890. (Jennie's passport appl. stated her husband was Henry Decker.  In Chicago city directory of 1905, Jennie was listed as a widow. I've no idea where Henry came from or, for that matter, where he went! Any help would be greatly appreciated.

Earle's person page is L6N2-7NC. Jennie's is L1JZ-WTK.

bbailey981.4933452766372104E12

So far I found Jennie, her children, and her mother on the 1900 census in Franklin Township Mt. Vernon town, Linn, Iowa.

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So he died before 1900. Without censuses after their marriage in 1881 and not knowing his parents for censuses before their marriage, I have had no luck.

melissaannkearsley1

Maggie,

It looks like you are going to merge Earle's two fathers.

 

Have you tried the Illinois Statewide Death Index? It is found here: https://www.ilsos.gov/isavital/deathsrch.jsp

Ali.M. Pili

You have a date, but do you have an actual marriage record of ​Henry and Jennie? Does it refer to a church where they were married? Do you know religion they were? Just wondering if a church would have a burial record for him?

 

LegacyUser

Melissa, I don't understand what you mean. Earle's father is Henry (M72P-SHL.) Is there another?

 

I've recently added Lucian H as Henry's father, but just experimentally. Is there a standard way of showing a tentative addition?

LegacyUser

Very good question, Pili. I'll keep checking for a record, but I don't think I've seen one. Otherwise, I'd have his last name.

 

LegacyUser

Sorry, I don't know why I wrote that! Must be tired & loopy tonite.

 

In any case, Jennie's grandparents -- and possibly parents? -- were probably Mennonite. I'll see if I can find a Menn. record of her marriage.

LegacyUser

Yes, I did try that death index, but nil. However, they don't have all counties & years indexed yet. I'll also try surrounding states.

melissaannkearsley1

There is a Henry (L13R-Q9R) that has also been added to his record. The only information that this Henry has is his name and he is deceased.

 

LegacyUser

I found this in the Chicago Tribune dated 20 Feb 1888:

LegacyUser

Thanks Melissa. I found it and merged the two.

LegacyUser

Found what, Carol? I don't see any attachment.

 

LegacyUser

I attached the image, hope you can see it. There are multiple articles on the family in newspapers.com. I know Henry Decker is alive until at least 1888 from the articles, but I didn't get through all of them.

LegacyUser

Thank you so much! Fifty years ago, my mom told me that her father, Earle, had had a troubled family life, but gave me no details. From my research here, it seemed likely that Henry was the problem. I'll go to the library and get into the newspaper records tomorrow for more details. (I can't afford to spend a dime!)

LegacyUser

Henry Decker was an advertising guy, so don't get him confused with Henry Decker the lawyer! There is also a 15 year old Henry Decker that was hit in the face with a baseball bat. Good luck with your search!