Son of Vinz Dechant. Johannes was born in Wittman, Soloturn, Russia.

John DECHANT was born 13 Sep 1843 in Wittman, Russia. His death record says his father's name was Vinz and unknow for mother. John's son Henry was the informant. John immigrated to the United States in 1876 with his first wife, Anna Katherine RUDER, and their two children, Agatha and John Jr. John filed his Declaration of Intention to become an American citizen one week after arriving. It appears that Anna may have died in childbirth with their 3rd child Elizabeth but there is very little evidence to support that. Elizabeth lived at least a couple days as she was baptized two days after her birth. To date no death or burial information for either of them have been found. Some on-line family trees for John and Anna Katherine show a daughter Rosa, but I don't believe she is their child for several reasons. Anna would have been only 16 at her birth and she is not mentioned in John's will or obituary. John married Mary Catherine Isadora BIEKER on 23 Nov 1878. Together they had 9 children, three dieing in 1892 of Scarlet Fever. John and Mary adopted a boy, Joseph Rupp and Joseph married their daughter, Katherine Elizabeth DECHANT.

THE NESS COUNTY NEWS, Ness City, Kansas, Saturday, June 16 1928, p. 5:
John Dechant was born in Wittman, Russia, in October, 1843, and died at his home near Riverside Saturday, June 2, at the age 84 years, 8 months and 1 day.
In 1856 he was married to Anna Katherine Ruder, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Henry Ruder, of Wittman. To this union were born three children, two of whom are still living. They are Mrs. Peter Gassman, of Ness City, and John Dechant, of Hays.
In 1874 Mr. Dechant came to America and settled near Hays. Here is wife and baby daughter died.
In 1878 he was married to Isador Bieker and moved to Schoenchen. Ten children were born to this union. They are Mrs. Jacob Paul and Mrs. Joe Rupp, of Bazine; Mrs. John Rupp, of Portland, Oregon; Anton, Henry and Joe, of Bazine; Katherine, Joseph, Emma and Clementina died during the scarlet fever epidemic.
At Schoenchen he took a claim of three quarters which he traded three years for cattle. He then moved to Gorham, Russell County. He lived in Gorham for about twenty years and then came to Ness County in 1910 and settled near Riverside where he lived until the time of his death.
On November 26, 1926, he suffered a stroke of paralysis and since that time his health has been failing. He became seriously ill June 1, 1928, and died the following day.
Mr. Dechant is survived by his wife, his children, 53 grandchildren, 36 great-grandchildren and a host of other relatives and friends.
Funeral services were held Thursday morning at 10 o'clock at St. John at the Baptist Church. Rev. Fr. Jordan conducted the services. Internment was made in St. John's cemetery.