Denver, History of Colorado, BIOS: VAN GILDER, Hal D. (published 1918)
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"History of Colorado", edited by Wilbur Fisk Stone, published by The S. J. 
Clarke Publishing Co. (1918)  Vol. II


p. 222-223



HAL D. VAN GILDER.

	Hal D. Van Gilder, founder of the Van Gilder Agency, conducting a 
very extensive and successful insurance business in Denver, comes to 
this state from Iowa, his birth having occurred in Melrose on the 13th 
of August, 1875. His father, John W. Van Gilder, was a railway man and 
is now living retired in Los Angeles, California. The mother, who bore 
the maiden name of Dora Stuart, was born at Melrose, Iowa, and also 
survives. In the family were two sons, the brother of Hal D. Van Gilder 
being Dr. D. W. Van Gilder, who is located in Denver.

	Spending his youthful days in his native state, Hal D. Van Gilder 
attended the public schools of Albia, Iowa, passing through consecutive 
grades to his graduation from the high school with the class of 1893. 
He then went to the Chicago University, in which he spent two years as 
a student, and later he pursued a business course in the Bryant & 
Stratton Business College of Chicago. Subsequently he was with the 
Chicago Tribune and afterward with the Chicago Record for five years, 
acting as secretary to the managers of these papers and having in 
charge the educational department. In the year 1900 Mr. Van Gilder 
arrived in Denver and was made deputy clerk of the district court, a 
position which he occupied for seven years. He afterwards turned his 
attention to the insurance business as a broker and later engaged in 
the insurance business on his own account, organizing the Sanger-Van 
Gilder Agency, which was established in 1911, and business was carried 
on in that connection for three years. In May. 1914, Mr. Van Gilder 
organized his present business under the name of the Van Gilder Agency, 
conducting an extensive insurance business, representing the American 
Surety Company, the Standard Accident Insurance Company, the St. Paul 
Fire & Marine Company, the Maryland Casualty Company, the Home Fire 
Insurance Company of Utah and the South Surety Company of St. Louis. 
His clientage is now extensive and each year marks an increase in his 
business, denoting close application, indefatigable energy and wise 
direction of his interests.

	In 1902 Mr. Van Gilder was united in marriage to Miss Mildred 
Slack, of Denver, a daughter of Willard L. Slack, and their children 
are: Del George, born on February 20, 1905, now in school; and 
Beatrice, born September 5, 1909. Mr. Van Gilder is a Mason, belonging 
to Oriental Lodge. No. 87, A. F. & A. M., and has also taken the 
degrees of the chapter, the commandery and the consistory, thus 
becoming a factor in the various branches of the York and Scottish 
rites. He is likewise connected with El Jebel Temple of the Mystic 
Shrine. He enjoys golf and when opportunity permits takes a fishing 
trip. In politics he is a democrat and his religious faith is that of 
the Unity church, which is of the Unitarian denomination. He belongs to 
the Lakewood Country Club and to the Denver Civic and Commercial 
Association, thus cooperating in all well defined plans and measures 
for the upbuilding of Denver's best interests. Liberal educational 
opportunities well qualified him for life's practical and responsible 
duties and as the years have passed on he has made steady progress 
along lines that have led to substantial successes in his business 
career.