Stephen Decatur Choate

Stephen Decatur Choate was born in 1815 in Delaware. In the 1830’s, he moved to Cincinnati to become an apprentice silversmith. From there, he moved to Louisville and opened a jewelry store on Fourth Street downtown, where he also manufactured silverware. After fifteen years, Choate came to Shelby County, first to Simpsonville and later to Shelbyville. In 1859-1860, he was listed as a dealer of watches and jewelry. Silversmiths employed a variety of services, ranging from manufacture, to repair, as well as retail of other wares. Stephen Choate died June 20, 1861, in Frankfort. He was interred in the county lot at Grove Hill Cemetery.