Bertha Rosalia Decker¹ (F)
b. 11 December 1869, d. 13 June 1924
Pedigree
Family_Line=G
Res_Rqrd=Y

     Bertha Rosalia Decker was born on 11 December 1869 at Colon Township, Michigan, daughter of John W. Decker and Catherine Metzger.^1,2

Bertha Rosalia Decker was enumerated with John W. Decker on the census of 18 August 1870 at Colon Township as Bertha R. Decker. Listed as 9 months old, born in Michigan.³


Bertha Rosalia Decker was enumerated with John W. Decker on the census of 17 June 1880 at Jackson, Indiana, as Bertha Decker. Listed as 'attending school' at 11 years old, born in MI.⁴
She was enumerated with John W. Decker on the state census of 1 June 1884 at Sheridan Township, Michigan, as Bertha R. Decker. Listed as 14 years old, born in Michigan, her father in Pennsylvania and her mother in Ohio.⁵

Bertha married Charles Edwin Gould, son of Warren Cross Gould and Caroline Belle Ashcraft, on 5 September 1891 at Ashland, Michigan. Justice Stephen C. Barnum officiated at the wedding. Vital Records indicate Charles occupation is as a carpenter. Witnesses included Riley A. Barnum and Lena Carpenter; both of Ashland, Michigan. The certificate info as opposed to the license info is very difficult to read.^6,7,1 Her married name was Gould.¹ At age 23, Bertha became the mother of Jay A. Gould in June 1893.⁸ At age 24, Bertha became the mother of Ray E. Gould on 7 July 1894 at Fremont, Michigan.^9,10,11 At age 26, Bertha became the mother of Charles E. Gould on 26 October 1896 at Brookside, Michigan.^{12,6,13,11,14} At age 29, Bertha became the mother of Pearl Mary Gould on 4 March 1899 at Fremont.^6,15,16,17

Bertha Rosalia Gould was enumerated with Charles Edwin Gould on the census of 1 June 1900 at Thompsonville Colfax Township, Michigan, as Bertha Gould. Listed as 30 years old, born in December 1869 in Michigan whereas her mother was born in Ohio and her father in Pensylvania. Married 8 years, she has bore four living children. Not employed.⁸
Bertha became the mother of Carrie Gould in 1902 at Michigan.¹¹ Bertha became the mother of Siamanese twin 1 Gould circa 1903.¹⁸ Bertha became the mother of Siamanese twin 2 Gould circa 1903.¹⁸ At age 37, Bertha became the mother of Floyd Howard Gould on 3 June 1907 at Rapid River, Michigan.^19,1,17,20 Floyd Gould's birth record shows that Charles and Bertha had a total of eight children including Floyd, only six now living. Missing are the siamanese twins and Jay Gould.¹⁹

Bertha Rosalia Decker was enumerated with Charles Edwin Gould on the census of 16 April 1910 at 206 Water Street, Boyne City, Michigan, as Bertha R. Gould. Listed as 47 years old, married 18 years, bore six children, five of whom are still living, born in Michigan whereas her mother was born in Ohio and her father in Pennsylvania, she can read, write and speak English, occupation 'none'.²¹
She was cited by Charles E. Gould as his closest relative when he registered for the World War One Draft on 5 June 1918 at 118 First Street, Muskegon, Michigan.¹³

Bertha Rosalia Gould was enumerated with Charles Edwin Gould on the census of 9 January 1920 at 114 South Jefferson Street, Muskegon, Michigan, as Bertha R. Listed as 50 years old, born in Michigan also mother born in Ohio and father born in Pennsylvania, can read and write, can speak English, occupation is 'none'.²²
She died on 13 June 1924 at Muskegon, Michigan, at age 54.^2,1

Last Edited=12 Aug 2006