Township Sections of Mini-Biographies
from

The History of Otsego County, New York

1740-1878

D. Hamilton Hurd

Published by Everts & Fariss, Philadelphia

DECATUR
(be sure to check Worcester as many people have connections in both towns)

Jacob BROWN was a pioneer. He came from Columbia county, 
in 1797, and located on land now owned by B. R. Brown, a 
grandson. Jacob Brown, Jr., came in with his father, and 
remained on the old homestead until his death, which occurred 
in 1877. Five children are still living, viz., Henry, Barzilla, 
Sandford, Lucy M., and Harriet, the wife of L.E. PRESTON; 
all, save Henry, are residents of the town.
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THOMPSON - The first merchant in the present village was 
Nahum THOMPSON, a prominent pioneer, and the first tavern-
keeper. He was a member of assembly in 1844. A son, Julius 
R. Thompson, is a practicing attorney in the village of Schenevus. 
Another son, Nahum B., resides on the old homestead, and a 
daughter is the wife of Josiah EARL, and resides in Worcester. 
One of the earliest settlers was J. YOUNGS, who 
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SHELLAND - One of the earliest settlers was J. YOUNGS, 
who located on lands now owned by Elisha SHELLAND, a 
son-in-law. Mr. Shelland, was born in Montgomery county, 
in 1811, and has been a resident of the town half a century. 
His son, James E. Shelland, was supervisor of the town in 1877.
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Nathan and Gardner BOORN were early settlers. Isaac, a son 
of Nathan, now resides in the town. He was born in this county 
in 1802. Amos Boorn, a son of Gardner, was a prominent 
citizen, and officiated as supervisor six years, and town clerk 
eleven years. 
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One of the oldest native residents of the town is Chelsea DAVIS, 
who was born in 1811, only three years after the organization 
of Decatur. Mr. Davis now resides on lands originally settled 
by David TRIPP, who was the first supervisor of the town, and, 
with the exception of one year, represented Decatur in the 
board of supervisors for fifteen consecutive years. L. D. Davis 
also ranks among the oldest native residents of the county, 
having been born in 1816. He is a present justice of the peace.
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