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Miles of stone fences still to be found in that area, some of which are found on the old Decker homestead on Yankee street.

This area was first called Dutch Hill, named not only for the elevation of 2040 feet, but also because it was populated mostly by Dutchmen. The Dutchmen could be distinguished from the "Yankee" settlers by the big breeches they wore. The name was changed to Eminence in May, 150, when the first post office was established there.

Form 1782 to 1890, Eminence was a thriving community with many settlers. They first school was established in 1798, stores were opened, a saw mill, feed mill, and blacksmith shop were built. A stage coach line ran through the town connecting Eminence to the outside world. It is said it made three round trips weekly, bringing supplies into town. Roads were established with the ward system of upkeep. That is, each male tax was assessed 5 days in district No. 5. Two churches served the community, Dutch Reform and Methodist. Until 1854 both shared the same building, neither being financially able to maintain their own. They each maintained their won own cemeteries which are still to be found there. There are Decker Burials in each. The Peter Decker family attend the Jefferson Presbyterian Church in Jefferson Presbyterian Church in Jefferson, a town about 6 miles from Eminence. They were admitted as communicant members on 17 May 1812. Elizabeth’s grandfathers, back to the 1500’s in Wales, had been Presbyterian ministers. She no doubt insisted that her children be brought up in the faith of hr forefathers even though this meant a 12 mile round trip to attend church.

One piece of family history handed down to us demortrates the personalities of this couple. It shows the quiet strength of the pioneer mother, Elizabeth. An article written by Alice Diefendorfer, a great granddaughter, appeared in the Spring and Summer 1964 issue of the Schohaire County Historical Review. It reads in part, It is told that great grandfather was stern but that great grandmother was a dear. My own grandmother, Bethia Decker, had a "green thumb". When she was a small girl she was presented with some flower seeds. But where could she plant them? Not in the tilled garden Plot, not in the stony fields. There was

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