Historical encyclopedia of Illinois, Volume II, part 2, Part 155

Author: Bateman, Newton, 1822-1897; Selby, Paul, 1825-1913
Publication date: 1912
Publisher: Chicago, Munsell Pub. Co.
Number of Pages: 774

USA > Illinois > Sangamon County > Historical encyclopedia of Illinois, Volume II, part 2 > Part 155

Note: The text from this book was generated using artificial intelligence so there may be some errors. The full pages can be found on Archive.org (link on the Part 1 page).

VAN DEREN, David Mckee (deceased), was born in Bourbon County, Ky., February 12, 1824, and died at Springfield, Ill., February 15, 1874. The period of time covered by the years of his Ilfe was eventful for himself, his family and his country, but in all the unusual demands made upon him in its changes, he filled well his part and when, In the fullness of time, he passed away, he left behind him an honored and revered name. His parents were Barnard and Eliza (McKee) Van Deren, who were born In

Harrison County, Ky., the father on May 22, 1789, and the mother on May 16, 1795.

The grandfather of David Mckee Van Deren was a native of Holland and one of a family of eight who came to America. He settled In Ken- tucky and there his sou, Barnard, was born aud reared, and there was married, May 27, 1813. Ou June 12, 1835, Barnard Van Deren and family came to Sangamon Couuty, Ill., taking up government laud In Curran Township, where they developed one of the early farms. Of their nine children two dled early, the others being: Cyrus W., Barnard A., Martha F., who mar- rled Louis Johnson; David Mckee; Margaret W., who was twice married, Archibald J., aud John M. Barnard Van Deren died July 6, 1835.

David Mckee Van Deren was only ten years old when he accompanied his parents to Sanga- mon County, and the early death of his father placed heavy responsibilities on the surviving family. He remained at home aud helped his mother in the management of the pioneer farm until hls owu marriage, which took piace June 17, 1851, to Margaret Evans, and as she lived In Logan County, Ill., he was obliged to row across the Saugamon River in order to visit her. She died In December, 1853, the mother of one son, Bernard, who died In infancy. David Mckee Van Deren was married (second) on December 8, 1859, to Rebecca Marla Kinney, who was born January 14, 1837, in Sangamon County, and was a daughter of Henry and Margaret Hood (Dorrance) Kinney. Her parents were married In Sangamon County but her father was born in New York and her mother in Mas- sachusetts. Henry Kinney, Sr., the grandfather of Mrs. Van Deren, was married March 4, 1798, to Dlcey Pond. On May 6, 1822, the father of Mrs. Vau Deren, arrived In Sangamon County, Ill., with his parents, who settled in what Is now Loami Township, he being fifteen years old at that time. For sixty-seven years he was a deacon in the Baptist Church and donated the land on which the church was built. He served as a soldier In the Black Hawk War, under Capt. J. Saunders, and was an active partlcl- pant in many of the ploneer events which made up the early history of this portion of Illinois. On October 23, 1828, he married Margaret Hood Dorrance, who was born March 30, 1800, a daughter of Daniel Dorrance, whose birth oc- curred at Hartford, Conn., In 1768, a son of Gershom Dorrance, who was an English physl- clan and surgeon in the Continental Army In the War of the Revolution, and who lald down hls life on the altar of Freedom. Danlel Dor- rance was married In Seneca County, N. Y., in 1799, to Margaret Gilland, a native of New York, who died November 30, 1812, and their children were: Margaret and Gershom. After the death of his first wife Mr. Dorrance was married to Mrs. Mary (Arnold) Price, and they had one daughter, Mary. Mrs. Mary Dorrance died in Ontarlo County, N. Y., in 1815. In 1822 Mr. Dorrance, with his children, started for Illl- nols, floating down the Ohlo River In a fiat-boat.

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He located in Woodside Township, Sangamon County, but in the following year removed to Loami Township, where he eutered laud from the Government. Hls death occurred December 10, 1831. Henry Kinney Jr., father of Mrs. Van Deren, died at Springfield, April 2, 1889, in the eighty-secoud year of his age, at the home of his danghter, Mrs. Rebecca H. Van Deren, having survived his wife, who died September 30, 1883, at the age of eighty-three years. She was residing with her daughter, Mrs. James M. Darneille in Chatham Township. They had five children: Daniel, who married Anice Elmore; Clarissa, who is the widow of James M. Darneille; Caroline, who died at the age of twenty years; Eliza, who married John R. Shel- ton, who was a soldier in the Civil War and lives at Atwood, Ill .; aud Mrs. Van Deren, who died December 16, 1908.

At the time of their marriage David Mckee Van Deren and wife located in Curran Town- ship, where he owned a part of the old family estate, on which was a log cabin set in about 300 acres of land, and there he made improve- ments and continued to live until 1866, when he moved to Loami Townshlp, where he re- malned oue year, ill health then compelling him to abaudon agricultural pnrsnits. After mov- ing. to Chatham, where he remained for five years, he went into the milling business in part- nership with his brother, John Van Deren, and hls brother-in-law, Louis Johnson, operating what was known as the Johnson-Van Deren mili, and after he removed to Springfield he con- tinued his interest in the mill and opened a flour and feed store in conuection with it. In 1873 he erected his handsome residence at No. 310 West Capitoi Avenne, but did not live long to enjoy its comforts, his death occurring in the following year. He had always been a man of more or less public importance, usually a leader in the community in which he made his home. He was a supporter of the Government dni- ing the Civil War, although prevented by ill health from becoming an active participant, and at his house Union League meetings were held and plans made for the issuance of the neces- sary draft. For years he was active and honored in Masonic circles. He joined Springfield Lodge No. 4, A. F. & A. M., while liying In Curran Town- ship, and after moving into Loami Township he served as Worshipfnl , Master of the lodge there. Later was Worshipfui Master of the lodge in Chatham Township, and frequentiy his house was nsed for the ceremonles in connection with the initiation of candidates. In political views he was a stalwart Republican and for some time served as a Justice of the Peace. He was one of the earliest supporters of John C. Fremont for the Presidency, aud from that time on never changed his party allegiance, and gave gener- ously to the Union cause during the Civil War. A member of the Presbyterian Church, he took an active interest in church aud Sunday-school work, and was also a warm friend of the cause of education and served as School Director dur- Ing his years of residence in the conntry. In

spite of the handicap of ill heaith, he became owner of a large estate, acquired through unre- mitting industry and the exercise of admirable judgment. He lived a blameless life, and in no way ever forfeited the respect, esteem or confi- deuce of his friends. In no iess degree was his widow held in esteem until the close of her beau- tiful life. During the Civil War she was a mem- ber of that band of noble women kuowu as the Ladies' Union League, and gave time and work in the soldiers' cause. Later she belonged also to the Springfield Ladies' Aid Soclety. She was reared in the Baptist faith, but later nnited with the Presbyterian Church. One daughter was boru to David' McKee and Rebecca Van Deren, Margaret Evans, whose birth took place on the farm in Curran Township, May 10, 1865. She received her education at the Bettie Stuart Institute, graduating from there June 4, 1884. Afterwards she entered Springfield Business College and received her diploma as a stenog- rapher, Juue 4, 1888, and as a bookkeeper, June 6, 1889. On October 22, 1889, she was married to Richard Welch Feltham, who was born No- vember S, 1863, at Springfield, Ill.

Richard W. Feltham Is the third son of Thomas Joseph Feltham, who was a contractor, bnilder and cabinet-maker for forty years. He was born September 29, 1843, in Beyford, Eng- land, where he served seven years as an ap- prentice. He was an only son. and when he came to America and to Springfield in 1844, one of his fonr sisters accompanied him. For four years afterwards he worked as a journeymau. In 1848 he entered into partnership with Charles Fisher, later was alone for a time, and then took in a partner and engaged In a general con- tracting business. He superIntended ail of the carpenter work on the new State House and after this was completed eutered into partner- shlp with his son and they coutinued iu busi- ness for a number of years. The last work that he superIntended was the finai fiuishing of the State House in 1886. Falling health then com- peiled him to retire, and he went to South Dakota, where he died February 28, 1904. On ' October 11, 1855, he married Cordelia Brocas, who was born of French parents, in Wayne County, Ind., January 13, 1837.

Richard W. Feltham was educated in the public schools of Springfield aud afterwards learned the trade of watchmaker, but on account of ill health had to abandon that trade, and in the hope of improvement decided to take a lot of cattle across the plains, hoping the necessary out-door life would restore his health. He finally located in the Black Hills of South Dakota, but nn- fortunately the cilmate did uot agree with his young wife. They returned east and he became a member of the drng firm of Feltham Brothers, on the corner of Eighth and Washington Streets, Springfield. Hls heaith, however, would not bear the strain of confinement, and he sold out his interest to his brother. In the fall of 1897, . in company with Charies Conkiing, Jack Graves and Charies Vogelsang, he left for Alaska, rep- resenting a syudicate, and as the climate is

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beneficiai, he remains there, while his wife and children remain at Springfield. Mr. Feltham is a member of St. Panl's Lodge No. 500, A. F. & A. M., of Springfield, with which he became affiliated in 1892.

Mr. and Mrs. Feltham have had three chil- dren : Elma Rebecca, who was born November 7, 1891, died February 2, 1907, at that time be- ing a member of the Sophomore ciass in the Springfield High School; Margaret Van Deren, who was born October 27, 1895; and Harriet King, who was born March 5, 1898.

VAN DEVENTER, Charies Edgar, a highiy re- spected citizen of Springfield, Ill., who has been a resident of that city for the past thirty years, is a native of Cass County, Iii., born November 11, 1851. He is a son of Charies Fenton Mer- cer and Mary Ann Love (Sanders) Van Deven- ter, both natives of Loudoun County, Va., the former born near Harper's Ferry, May 8, 1812, and the latter born near Leesburg, October 2, 1817. The immigrant ancestor of this family was Peter Van Deventer, who landed on the shores of New Jersey, in 1660, and most of his descendants located in Virginia, giving them the title F. F. V. They took no very active part in civii or military affairs, though many of them served in the Civil War, on both sides of the struggle. The brother of the subject of this sketch, I. B. Van Deventer, served as private in the One Hundred and First Iilinois Volunteer Infantry, serving two years and seven months, and was discharged on account of wonnds re- ceived at the Battie of Peach Tree Creek, from which he never fully recovered.

Charies F. M. Vau Deventer and his wife were married in the State of Virginia, Decem- ber 9, 1834, and in the following March moved to Iilinois, proceeding by boat on the Ohio and Mississippi Rivers to St. Lonis. and thence over- land to Cass County, where they invested in a farm four miles west of the present City of Ashland, where they lived until the spring of 1871, then moved to Cariinville, Maconpin County, and in 1876 came to Springfield, where they spent the remainder of their lives. Mr. Van Deventer died May 7, 1895, at the age of eighty-three years, and his widow died Febrnary 29, 1904, at the age of eighty-six years and six months. Coming as pioneers to Illinois, they ex- perienced many hardships in their eariy mar- ried life, but became quite successful, acenmu- lating considerable property and spending their last years in ease and plenty. They had the great happiness granted to few, of celebrating the sixty-first anniversary of their marriage, at which were present seven of the nine children born to them. Mr. Van Deventer was a man of sterling worth and high character, kind and in- dulgent to his family, and won and retained many friends. He was the first in his neigh- borhood to invest in improved machinery to help him in carrying on his work, being very quick to perceive the advantages to be gained thereby. In religious views he was a Methodist,

aud the family home was aiways open to the pioneer preachers. They had the honor of en- tertaining many of the great men of the early church, such as Peter Cartwright, Dr. Acres, Rev. Barrett and others.

Charies Edgar Van Deventer attended the dis- trict schools of Cass County in boyhood, aud at the age of sixteen years entered upon a theo- logical course at Biackburn University, in Car- iinvilie, Ili., where he remained three years. He was much interested iu the course and was making excelient progress when he was com- pelied to abandon his studies on account of the partial ioss of sight. He had been most ear- nest in choosing his profession and the disap- pointment was keenly felt for many years. His early life was spent on a farm, amid simpie people and surrounded by every-day toil, and if he had not decided to study for a profession he feeis that he wonld probably have developed into a good carpenter, being of a practical, inventive turn.

Upon leaving school Mr. Van Deventer en- tered the employ of J. G. Steward, a photog- rapher of Carlinville, Iii., where he remained one year, then became bookkeeper for the lum- ber firm of Andrews & Hamilton, of the same city, and iater held a similar position with the hardware firm of Woodward & Ferrell, where he remained two years. In 1876 he located in Springfield and became employed as piano sales- man. He is a bright, enterprising salesman, fuiiy acquainted with his line, and has been. successful. During the thirty years he has been engaged in this vocation he has been em- ployed by only four firms. He is simple and democratic in his tastes, and has spent an active, nsefnl life. He has been seif-support- ing since leaving schooi and has been indus- trions and provident. He has always been hon- est and upright in his business dealings, rep- resenting reputable firms and abiding by the truth at all times. He is a believer in the doc- trine of equal rights to all, regardless of sex, color or uationality, and intends to give a square deal to ali with whom he has business rela- tions. His father was a Whig, and he was reared in the belief that the principles of the Republican party were representative of the best interests of the country. In the early days of the Prohibition movement he espoused this cause as a temperance proposition. In 1869 he united with the Presbyterian Church, but after his marriage, in 1SSS, nnited with the Metho- dists, to which church his wife belonged. He has never cared for public office, being fully oc- cupied by his business affairs and preferring a quiet, retired life. Mr. Van Deventer be- came a member of the Masonic Order in 1874, joining Mt. Nebo Lodge, of Carlinvilie, and in 1876 transferred his membership to St. Paul's Lodge at Springfield. He has been a resident of Illinois all his life aud has not spent much time outside his native State, although he has traveled some throngh Indiana and Louisiana.

June 13. 1SSS, Mr. Van Deventer married, in

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Springfield, Annie Matilda Tobin, who was born near Springfield, October 23, 1862, daughter of James Tobin. Her childhood was passed on her father's farm, about nine miles southeast of Springfield. Mr. Tobin was a prominent and successful stockman, and carried on business in this line for over forty years. During this period his check was never refused, and this in spite of the fact that his operations covered a volume of business aggregating many millions of dollars. He retired from active iife several years ago and is now enjoying ease and com- fort, well earned by iong years of endeavor. Charles E. Van Deventer and his wife have one . daughter, Ruth Marlow, born February 14, 1890.

VAN HORN, Frederick .- Among the enterpris- ing and successful merchants of Springfield, Ill., who have built up large enterprises from smail beginnings is Frederick Van Horn, who is a life- long resident of the city and is actively interested in ail matters pertaining to the public welfare. Mr. Van Horn is well-known in Springfield and vicinity for his public spirit, and is active in the conncils of the Repnbiican party. He has con- tributed liberally to many public enterprises since engaging in business and is always ready to forward any movement having for its object the betterment of the moral or material condi- tion of his fellows. He was appointed a mem- ber of the Board of Education in May, 1907, and is at present Treasurer of the Board of Trns- tees of Concordia (Lutheran Theologicai) Col- lege, at Springfield.

Mr. Van Horn was born in Springfield, October 2, 1862, and is a son of Henry and Catherine (Raps) Van Horn, natives of Germany. Henry Van Horn was a wagon manufacturer by occu- pation. Frederick Van Horn received his ednca- tion in the schools of his native city, and was there married, July 27, 1887, to Miss Juiia D. Eberlin, born in Springfield, October 26, 1864. Of this union four children were born, namely : Elenore Anna, Kathryn Louise, Walter Fred- erick and Dorothy. Mr. Van Horn is a member of Trinitatis Lutheran Church. The family reside at 903 North Fifth Street.

Mr. Van Horn engaged in business on his own acconnt January 20, 1892, beginning with a smali notion store and increasing his stock from time to time, as the increase in his trade war- ranted, until he now has a weli-conducted de- partment store and employs ten persons. He has a reputation for honest and upright dealing and has the confidence and good will of his patrons. His establishment is located at 516 East Adams Street.

VAN METER, James Benjamin, now living re- tired from active iife at No. 1141 North Second Street, Springfield, Iil., was for thirty years suc- cessfully engaged in stock farming in Fancy Creek Township, Sangamon County. Mr. Van Meter is a native of the county, born September 12, 1847, son of Abraham D. and Nancy A. (Hus- sey) Van Meter, his mother being the third white woman living north of the Sangamon River.

Abraham D. Van Meter was born near Staunton, Va., November S, 1801, and his wife was born in Ohio March 29, 1811. They were married in 1830, in Sangamon County, to which each had come with their parents, she in 1818, and he in 1822. After their marriage, they spent the re- mainder of their lives on a farm in Fancy Creek Township. He died June 13, 1879, and she in September, 1882, and both are buried in Fancy .Creek Cemetery. Mr. Van Meter served in the Biack Hawk War, with rank of Coionel. He was well acquainted with Abraham Lincoln and his son James B. often saw Mr. Lincoln in his boy- hood. Besides James B., another son, Charies C. Van Meter, survives, and is a farmer in Fancy Creek Township. The latter was born October S. 1854.

The education of James B. Van Meter was ac- quired in a log school house near his father's farm, where the seats were iittle better than rough planks. After leaving schooi, he worked on the farm with his father until he was twenty- two years of age, then began farming on his own account in Menard County, Iii. Four years later he returned to Sangamon County and acquired a farm in Fancy Creek Township, where he lived until 1903. He brought his land to a high state of cuitivation and was very successful in breed- ing and raising stock. He was an energetic and ambitious farmer and was prominent in public affairs in his neighborhood. He is a Republican in poiitics and served fifteen years as School Director and nine years as Road Commissioner, while iiving on his farm. He won many friends and became one of the most respected citizens of his township. Mr. Van Meter moved to Springfieid in 1903 and now occupies his hand- some and comfortable residence on North Second Street, where he has a sixty-foot frontage, and he also still owns 320 acres of farm land.

Mr. Van Meter was married in Fancy Creek Township, December 16, 1869, to Mary A. Thax- ton, daughter of James and Margaret (Huffman) Thaxton, who was born in Sangamon County. Her father was born in Kentucky October 28, 1823, and her mother in Ohio January 2, 1827, and both came to Illinois in an early day. He died in 1894 and she in 1890. Ten children were born to Mr. and Mrs. Van Meter, nameiy : James E., born September 28, 1871, married Agnes Black; Webster H., Juiy 10, 1876, married Car- rie Graham; Mary, born April 24, 187S, is the , wife of Frederick D. Cresse, a grocer of Spring- field; Hal, born May 17, 1880, iives on a farm northwest of Athens, married Mildred Grant; Stelia May, born Aprii 6, 1882, married J. F. Duncan; Julia M., married Harry H. Rogers, a railroad man, living at Kingsviile, Texas; Carrie M., born September 7, 1SSS, living at home; Charles R., born Aprii 7, 1891, at home; Leslie B., born November 13, 1892, living at home, and one child who died in infancy. Mr. Van Meter has twelve grandchildren. James B. Van Meter is a member of the Methodist Church and fra- ternally is a prominent Mason, having joined the order in 1873, and Knights Templar. He also

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belonged to the Modern Woodmen of America for many years.

VAN NATTAN, Norman A .- Some of the most progressive meu of Springfield in earlier years proved their public spirit and patriotism by serving their country in time of war. One of. these men whom the country is delighted to honor and pay tribute to, is Norman A. Van Nattan, born in Sangamon County, February 25, 1843, a son of Joseph and Currency (Stan- ley) Van Nattan, the former born in Fleming County, Ky., March 4, 1821, and the latter in Ohio, April 8, 1824. The father was a farmer, who moved from Kentucky to Sangamon Couuty in 1825, but iu 1858 went to Texas, returuing to Sangamon Couuty in 1860, where he spent the remainder of his life. He served during the Civil War, enlisting August 13, 1862, and being mustered out In June, 1865, at Camp Butler. He served under Sherman aud Thomas, partici- pating in the battles of Perryville, Stone River, Atlanta, Peach Tree Creek, and others of less importance.

Normau A. Van Nattan received his educa- tion in Springfield and worked on his father's farm, until his enlistment, a week before his father, on August 4, 1862, in Company G, Sev- enty-third Illinois Infantry, serving under Sherman, Thomas and Rosecrans, and engaging in the battles of Perryville, Chickamauga, Mis- sionary Ridge, Buzzard's Roost, Resaca, Kene- saw Mountain, Peach Tree Creek, Atlanta, Jonesboro, Spring Hill, Franklin, Nashville, and others, many times narrowly escaping death. He was mustered out June 26, 1865, at Camp Butler.

Mr. Van Nattan has always been a Republi- can, and has served his party and community as Constable. After his marriage he located in Fancy Creek Township, but eventually be- came an engineer, in which line of work he is now engaged. Impulsive by nature, and able to see further than many, Mr. Van Nattan has always been eager to take hold of any measure advanced for the promotion of the welfare of his city, and has accomplished much good. He has been equally active in the Methodist Church, of which he is a consistent member, and is most highly esteemed. He belongs to the G. A. R.

The marriage of Mr. Van Nattan occurred in Sangamon County. February 1, 1866, when he was united with Clara A. Tubbs, born in Ro- chester, N. Y., November 14, 1846, a member of one of the old families of that State. Four children were born to them: Margaret J., March 2. 1867; Charles R., September 27, 1868; Mary E., March 15, 1872, and James A. The family hold an enviable position among their neighbors and in their church, and Mr. Van Nattan is highly respected by all who know him and un- derstand his excellent traits of character and kindly, generous nature.

VAN NATTAN, Thomas .- The Van Nattan fam- lly has been prominent in Sangamon County

since 1825, when the great-grandfather of Thomas, Daniel Van Nattan, came there from Fleming County, Ky., settling in what is now Fancy Creek Townshlp. He was married In Bath County, Ky., December 25, 1818, to Deborah Ferguson, and they had one child born in Fleming County and five in Sangamou County, Ill. Their eldest child, Joseph, was born March 10, 1821, and was married In Sangamon County, Ill., April 7, 1842, to Currency Stanley, daugh- ter of Thomas and Elizabeth (Centre-Campbell) Stanley, and a native of Ohio. Thomas Stanley was a soldier in the War of 1812, located In Sangamon County In the fall of 1829, and died in 1837. Joseph Van Nattan and his wife had nine children, all born In Sangamon County. Two sons, Norman A. and Thomas M., served in the Civil War, the former in Company G, Seventy-third Illinois Infantry, In which he served three years, and the latter in Company I, One Hundred Thirty-third Illinois Iufantry, in which he served five months. The father, Joseph Van Nattan, enlisted in 1862 for three years, in the Seventy-third Illinois Infantry, served his full term and was honorably dis- charged.

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Historical encyclopedia of Illinois, Volume II, part 2, Part 155

Author: Bateman, Newton, 1822-1897; Selby, Paul, 1825-1913 Publication date: 1912 Publisher: Chicago, Munsell Pub. Co. Number of Pages: 774

Author: Bateman, Newton, 1822-1897; Selby, Paul, 1825-1913
Publication date: 1912
Publisher: Chicago, Munsell Pub. Co.
Number of Pages: 774