Biography - Edward O. Decker

Edward O. `Ned' Decker, early Juneau merchant. Decker was born near Roxbury, New York, in 1857 and spent five years mining the Black Hills before arriving in Juneau early in 1882. He engaged in mining on Gold Creek and elsewhere for five years, then opened a store on the site of the present Decker Building on South Franklin Street in 1887 or 1888. His younger brother, Jay, soon joined him and they operated as Decker Brothers. In 1891 they advertised: "We have knocked the bottom out of the old Cassiar prices--Goods delivered free of charge by canoe or wheelbarrow." In 1894 Decker Brothers built a new store on the water side of Front Street at the foot of Seward. E.O. Decker retired from the business not long afterward and died at Rocksprings, New York, on April 20, 1899. His original building on South Franklin was raised in 1908 and his widow built the present Decker Building on the site in 1935.

Decker Way - an alley stairway running from South Franklin Street to Gastineau Avenue. Named for Edward O. `Ned' Decker.

---