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    VALENTINE DECKER

    VALENTINE DECKER, pork packer, with extensive facilities for carrying on a business in the necessities of life, dealing in commodities which neither individuals nor nations can do without, has largely been the builder of his own fortunes and has been a resident of Piqua since 1873. He was born in Germany in 1847 and came to America when aged twenty-one years.

    Mr. Decker went into the butcher business first at Troy, six months later coming to Piqua and working as a butcher in this city from 1869 until 1871, when he went to Union City, Indiana. He continued to work as a butcher there until 1873, when he returned to Piqua and conducted a retail meat market for twenty-five years, in 1878 erecting a slaughter house, and butchering on a small scale. In 1891 he began the building of his present commodious quarters and they have been added to until he occupies a leading place in the packing industry and has an establishment which compares favorably with any other in this section of the State. For the last ten years he has also conducted a wholesale business in fresh, smoked and salted meats. He slaughters from 150 to 200 hogs a week, thirty-five head of cattle and from twenty to thirty calves, giving employment to twenty workmen and keeping two salesmen on the road. This business is a monument to Mr. Decker's unflagging industry, his prudence, ability and foresight.

    In 1873 Mr. Decker was married to Miss Hannah Schafer and they have had the following children: - Louis F., George H., Carl J., Walter J., Callie M., Hannah E., and William J. George, Walter, Louis F. and William J. are associated with their father. Louis P. married Minnie Wiltheiss and they live in Piqua. G. H. married Clara Klelber. Carl J. married Mary Price, and they live in Dayton. Walter J. married Clara M. Prather. Mr. Decker and family are members of St. Boniface Roman Catholic Church, and he has membership with the Knights of Columbus.

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