One of the earliest residents of Decatur was a woman named Jane Martin Johns. Born on June 28, 1827 in Circleville, Pickaway County, Ohio, she was married on Oct. 29, 1845, in Circleville, to Dr. H.C. Johns.
In May 1849, by pure chance, which included getting thrown from his horse 10 miles west of Decatur and breaking his collarbone, Dr. Johns chose that place as his new home. He had been on a deer hunt when his horse spooked.