California Biographies, Alameda County 
Ezra Decoto

History of Alameda County, California
Publisher: Oakland, Calif : M. W. Wood

Transcribed by Peggy Hooper

This file is part of the California Genealogy & History Archives http://www.rootsweb.ancestry.com/~cagha/index.htm

 


Ezra Decoto.�The subject of this sketch, whose portrait appears in our work,
was born in Lower Canada, September 2, 1833, and is the son of Charles and Mary
(Gerbeto) Decoto. Having resided with his parents until fifteen years of age, he
went to Hazardville, Connecticut, and worked there, afterwards becoming foreman in
a cooper's shop for four years, at which time he started for California. Leaving New
York, April 15, 1854, on board the Moses Taylor to the Isthmus of Panama, on the
Pacific side per George Law, he arrived in San Francisco May i8th, and directly proceeded
to Alameda County, and commenced raising strawberries on the Encinal of
Alameda, an occupation he continued two years, when he embarked in the business
of raising potatoes in the same place. In 1858 he changed the field of his operations
to San Leandro, and embarked in the cultivation of potatoes and the cereals, which
he prosecuted for four years, at which time he removed to Haywards, and there
farmed until 1867. Mr. Decoto then disposed of his property, and with his brother
purchased three hundred and thirty-four acres from Jonah C. Clark, where he settled,
and commenced farming. Here he farmed until 1871, when they sold two hundred
and eighty-four acres to the Central Pacific Railroad, and reserved the balance, on a
portion of which he now resides. In 1873 he purchased one hundred and ten acres
near Washington Corners, and disposed of it in 1881. Has been School Trustee for
ten years. Married, August 21, i860. Miss Janet Lowrie, a native of Stirling, Scotland,
and has a family consisting of four girls and three boys, viz.: Charles, born June
6, 1861,died February 20, 1869; Lizzie, born April 4, 1863; Mary, born May 8, 1865;
Peter, born January 4, 1869; Janet, born February 14, 1871; Alvena, born June 25,
1873; Ezra, born February 6, 1876; Lewis, born June 20, 1868.