Henry Martyn Dechert, son of Elijah Dechert, Esq., was born in Reading, Pa., in 1831. He studied law in his father's office in Reading the first year after graduation. From 1851 till April, 1853, he was Principal of the Mount Pleasant Seminary, Boyerstown, Berks Co., Pa. He then went to Philadelphia and resumed his study of law in the office of Hon. C.B. Penrose, was admitted to the bar Feb. 7, 1854, and since that time has been practicing law in that city. In 1855 he was elected School Director; in 1856-58 he was Assistant City Solicitor of Philadelphia, and in May, 1860, was the Democratic candidate for the office of City Solicitor, but was beaten by a few votes, along with the rest of his ticket. In September, 1862, he was 2d Lieut. in the Pennsylvania Militia service, and was 1st Lieut. in 40th Regt. P.V.M., mustered July 1, 1863 into the U.S. service for 90 days, for duty in Maryland and Virginia. He was married, Sept. 15, 1857, to Miss Esther S. Taylor, daughter of Mr. Thomas S. Taylor, of Philadelphia, and has three children: (1) Harry Taylor, born Feb. 2, 1859; (2) Bertha M., born April 5, 1861; (3) Ellen G., born Nov. 1, 1863.
Source: Biographical Record of the Class of 1850, of Yale College, Prepared by the Class Committee and Printed for the Members of the Class (not published), New Haven: Tuttle, Morehouse & Taylor, Printers, 1877, pp. 30-31.
Contributed by: Nancy.