VAL DECKER

Val Decker. For half a century, lacking but three years, Val Decker has been identified with the meat business at Piqua, for it was in 1873 that he first embarked in this line, at that time being a retail dealer. Having made a success in his initial experience in this field, he later embarked in packing and dealing in products as a wholesaler, and at this time has a large business conducted in a modern plant, where he kills and packs about 600 head of livestock per week. His brand, "Our Pride," is favorably known throughout the Miami valley, having a large demand at Middletown, Springfield, Dayton, and other large centers. A more detailed account of this business will be found in the industrial section of this work. Mr. Decker was born in Baden, Germany, in April, 1847, and came to America in 1868. He first worked in a butcher shop in Troy, later moving to Union City, Ind. In 1872, he came to Piqua, where he engaged in the retail meat business until 1898, when he embarked in the packing business. Mr. Decker married Hannah Schaefer, and they have the following children: Louis, George H., Carl Jacob, deceased; Walter J., William, Mrs. Hannah Jenne, and Mrs. Callie Schwaible. Mr. Decker, who is assisted in business by his sons, is widely and favorably known as a business man of the highest integrity, and is a director of the Citizens Bank of Piqua. He has various civic and social connections, and during the war period, was an active wor ker in the various movements which contributed to the success of American arms.