Butler County AlArchives Biographies.....Van Pelt, Abraham C. August 22 1834 - living in 1893
************************************************
Copyright.  All rights reserved.
http://www.usgwarchives.net/copyright.htm
http://www.usgwarchives.net/al/alfiles.htm
************************************************

File contributed for use in USGenWeb Archives by:
Ann Anderson alabammygrammy@aol.com May 14, 2004, 2:43 pm

Author: Brant & Fuller (1893)
    ABRAHAM C. VAN PELT, a prosperous merchant and planter, was born in Cabarrus
county, N. C.; August 22, 1834, son of Abraham and Jane (Reed) Van Pelt. The
father was also a native of North Carolina, born in the year 1786, and descended
from Dutch ancestors, who settled in New York at an early date of the country's
history. Abraham and Jane Van Pelt were married about the year 1808, in North
Carolina, and became the parents of ten children, but four of whom are living,
namely: Emmeline, widow of Allen Shive; Teresa, widow of Edward Litaker; Samuel
F., and Abraham C. The father and mother of this family never moved to Alabama,
but died in their native state, the former in 1856, and the latter in 1862. At
the age of twenty-one Abraham C. Van Pelt went to Columbus, Ga., and followed
the mercantile business at that place for one year, at the end of which time he
moved to Chambers county, Ala., where he was similarly engaged for a period of
five years. Subsequently he embarked in merchandising in the county of Butler at
Oakey Streak, and carried on a prosperous trade at that point until 1862, at
which time he enlisted in Clanton's cavalry company, but shortly thereafter
procured a substitute and joined the artillery service at Fort Morgan. His first
engagement was the battle of Mobile, which commenced August 4, 1862, and
continued until the surrender, twenty days later, during which time, Mr. Van
Pelt was under almost continuous fire. After his capture he was sent to New
Orleans, thence to Elmira, N. Y., where he was held a prisoner until the close
of the war, returning home in June, 1865. On his return he at once engaged in
the timber and lumber business, which he carried on two years, and in 1868 moved
to his present place and commenced farming, which he has carried on with most
gratifying success, being at this time one of thee most extensive agriculturists
in Butler county. About twelve years ago he purchased a stock of general
merchandise and embarked in mercantile trade, which he continues to carry on in
connection with his farming interests and in which he has met with very
flattering success, his stock representing a capital of about $3,000. Mr. Van
Pelt's plantation is a magnificient tract of land, embracing an area of 1,200
acres, and his farming is con-ducted upon the latest and most approved plans. -
He gives personal attention to his farming and mercantile business and sustains
a commendable reputation as an honorable and upright citizen in the community
where he has so long resided. Though not identified with any religious
organization, the Presbyterian church represents his creed, and he has ever been
a friend and promoter of all enterprises looking to the moral and material
advancement of the community. He votes in conformity with the democratic party
and takes an active interest in the Masonic fraternity, of which he is a member.
In the year 1863, in Butler county, Mr. Van Pelt and Miss Louisa Owens, daughter
of Robert E. Owens, were made man and wife, and their union has resulted in the
birth of eleven children, seven living : Frank, Willie, Homer, Jennie, Hiram,
Oscar, and Ula; the deceased were : Neal, Laura, Carrie, and Herman.



Additional Comments:
from "Memorial Record of Alabama", Vol. I, p. 581-582

This file has been created by a form at http://www.genrecords.org/alfiles/

File size: 3.8 Kb