Harrison County Iowa Genealogy

HISTORY OF HARRISON COUNTY, IOWA, 1915
BIOGRAPHIES
Page 734
SAMUEL R. DECOU

Samuel R. DECOU - Samuel R. DECOU is a native of Harrison county, where he has spent his entire life, with the exception of the years he was a student in Iowa State University, and one year spent in Tacoma, Washington. Mr. DECOU was born August 15, 1880, in Douglas township, the son of Isaac A. and Sarah E. (PORTER) DECOU. Isaac A. DECOU was a native of the Dominion of Canada and one of the early settlers in Harrison county. After coming to this country he engaged in farming until about 1894 when he moved to Woodbine and entered the implement business in partnership with his brother, W. H. DECOU, under the firm name of DECOU Brothers. In connection with this business they were engaged in the buying and selling of live stock and grain, and Isaac A. DECOU continued in these occupations during the remainder of his life. He was known as a man of splendid judgment and correct principles of business conduct and won for himself an enviable place in the life of Harrison county.

Sarah E. DECOU, the mother of Samuel R., was a native of Delaware county, New York. She bore Mr. DECOU two children, the elder a daughter, Emily, who is the wife of Dr. Frederick BINDER, a prominent physician at Corning, Iowa, and Samuel R., who is the younger of the family. By a former marriage of Isaac A. DECOU one son, Arthur, was born. He is at present engaged in the farm implement, grain and live stock business in Woodbine.

When a boy, Samuel R. DECOU attended the district schools of Douglas township, Harrison county, Iowa. Later he attended the Woodbine Normal and upon the completion of the course there entered the law department of Iowa State University at Iowa City. He was graduated from that university with the degree of Bachelor of Law in 1906. Upon concluding his legal studies Mr. DECOU passed the state board examination and was admitted to the bar, but never engaged in the actual practice of law. His legal training, however, has been of invaluable benefit in his commercial life. Upon the death of his father in 1907 Mr. DECOU entered the grain and implement business. Later the increasing popularity of the automobile induced the firm to add a line of motor cars and accessories. He and his brother, Arthur DECOU, with whom he was in partnership, were very successful in this business venture. Late in 1913 this partnership was dissolved, Arthur DECOU continuing in the grain and implement business. Samuel R. DECOU entered into partnership with A. J. COE in loans and insurance and they are now located in the First National Bank building at Woodbine, Iowa, under the firm name of S. R. DECOU & Company. This firm has become well established in Woodbine and enjoys a large and lucrative patronage.

Samuel R. DECOU was married February 15, 1911, to Jessie Scott COE, the daughter of Josiah and Jessie (KINNIS) COE. The former was for thirty years president of the First National Bank of Woodbine, and one of the successful farmers of the community.

Mr. and Mrs. DECOU are regular attendants of the Christian church, although Mr. DECOU is a member of the Protestant Episcopal church. Fraternally, he is a member of the Knights of Pythias and the Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks, being a member of the latter lodge at Council Bluffs. Politically, Mr. DECOU is a Republican and, although he has always taken a commendable interest in political matters, he has never been an aspirant to public office. Although still a young man, Samuel R. DECOU has taken a well-deserved place among the leading men of this community.

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