George was born in 1829 in
Ostfriesland, which is now in northern Germany. He was baptized as "Gerd
Gottfrieden" but in America only used the English equivalent, "George
Godfrey". According to a study done on the Ostfriesland roots of this
family, the surname of this family may at one time have been
"Wilken", but the men of the family were roof thatchers and gradually
came to be known by the German name for their occupation. Indeed, if George had
borne the surname "Wilken", it would simply have meant that his
father's name was Wilke (equivalent of the English William).
George emigrated to America sometime before September 1857,
which is when he was married in Pekin, Tazewell County, Illinois, to Anna
Claassen Heyen. George and Anna lived in several different Illinois
communities: Egypt, Mason County; Minonk, Woodford County; and Danforth Twp.
and Gilman, Iroquois County.
George's obituary appeared in the Danforth Herald on
25 Sep 1914:
"Mr. George Decker, one
of Danforth township's pioneer settlers, died at his home in Gilman at one
o'clock yesterday morning, after an illness of several years duration. Of late
he has been practically helpless. He was at the time of death 85 years of age.
He was united in marriage to Miss Anna Heyen, and he and his
wife were among the first settlers of Danforth township. For almost 40 years
they lived on the farm east of town, where they remained until about 14 years
ago, when they moved to the city of Gilman.
About 4 years ago the deceased was taken seriously ill and
it was while taking care of her husband that Mrs. Decker became ill with
pneumonia and died.
Though penniless when he came to this country, Mr. Decker
was a very successful farmer, having accumulated almost 1000 acres of land in
this neighborhood.
Deceased is survived by eight children namely: John C.;
George G. and Mrs. Lena Janssen of Danforth; William; Robert and Mrs. Rena Seiple of Gilman;
Mrs. Mary Heise of Winnemack, Ind., and Mrs. Ida Decker, of Wichita Falls, Tex.
Funeral services will be held in the United Evangelical
church here Sunday afternoon at 2 o'clock. Interment will be made in the
Danforth cemetery."