Grundy County IL Archives Biographies.....Vanderpool, John M July 18, 1824 - ************************************************ Copyright. All rights reserved. http://www.usgwarchives.net/copyright.htm http://www.usgwarchives.net/il/ilfiles.htm ************************************************ File contributed for use in USGenWeb Archives by: Deb Haines ddhaines@gmail.com February 20, 2006, 7:33 am Author: Bio/Gen Rec LaSalle/Grundy Counties 1900 Forty-two years have passed since this esteemed citizen of Grundy county came to this section of Illinois, and during the long interval he has watched the progress and development which has placed this locality upon a par with the other counties in the great commonwealth. During the greater part of the time he has devoted his energies to agricultural pursuits, and by close application to business and untiring energy has won a handsome competence. His life has been a quiet and assuming one, yet he belongs to that class of reliable citizens who are true to their duty to themselves, to their neighbors and to their country, and it is such men who form the bulwarks of the Union. Mr. Vanderpool is a native of the Empire state, his birth occurring in Rochester, New York, July 18, 1824. His parents were William and Isabella (Johnson) Vanderpool, and his grandparents were John and ______ Vanderpool, all natives of New York. His grandfather was of Holland descent, and was born in the city of Albany in the eighteenth century. Throughout his life he carried on agricultural pursuits, and also maintained his residence in the state of his nativity. His children were Abraham, Charles, Henry, Margaret, Peggy, Katie and Polly, and the eldest died at the age of ninety-nine years. William Vanderpool, the father of our subject, was reared on the old family homestead in New York, and in early life learned the shoemaker’s trade. In accordance with the customs of those times he would travel from house to house through the country making shoes for the inmates of the various homes and doing such repair work in his line as was necessary. He followed his chosen vocation until his removal to Wisconsin, when he located upon a farm, which he made his home until his death. His wife was of English lineage. She died in 1826, and later he married Jemimah Buenscoat. The children of the first union were Isabella, now deceased; Elizabeth, who is living in Wisconsin; William, deceased; and Gertrude, who also makes her home in the Badger state. John M. Vanderpool spent his boyhood days in the usual manner of farmer lads of that period. At a very early age, when he learned the trade of carriage-smith, following that pursuit for fourteen years. He spent eight years in Vermont, as a general blacksmith, and in 1857 came to Illinois, locating on a farm in Grundy county. He followed his trade, however, until 1859, when he turned his attention to agricultural pursuits, being closely and actively identified with the farming interests of the county until 1895, when he put aside all business cares and retired to private life. He is now living in Norman township, Grundy county, and is the owner of three hundred and five acres of the richest land of central Illinois. The greater part of it is under a high state of cultivation, and the rental therefrom brings him a good income. Mr. Vanderpool has been twice married. In 1851 he wedded Mrs. Phean (Brooks) Lazier, and to them was born a daughter, who was named Frances Anna. The mother died in 1854, and in 1856 Mr. Vanderpool wedded Maria Rockwood, a daughter of Samuel and Susan (Colvin) Rockwood, natives of Vermont. Their children are Frances Anna, wife of Henry Winsor, a resident of Vienna township, Grundy county; Herbert M., who married Cora Hull and is living in Norman township; Wilber W., who married Anna Smith and resides in Wauponsee township; and George R., who married Jennie Davis and is living in the same township. Mr. Vanderpool is the only Prohibitionist residing in Norman township, yet is a true and loyal advocate of his party. The cause of temperance has long found in him a stanch supporter, and believing the question of the liquor traffic to be one of the most important issues before the people he votes for the party which advocates its abolishment. He and his wife are consistent and faithful members of the Methodist Episcopal church, and are genial, kindly people who have the warm regard of a large circle of friends. Mr. Vanderpool has been successful in his business endeavors, and the prosperity which he has gained is well merited, for it comes as the result of activity in business and the careful direction of his affairs. Although now well advance in years, few would suppose that he has passed the seventy-fifth milestone on life’s journey, for he possesses the vigor of one much younger, and takes an interest in the events of to-day usually found in a man in his prime. Source: Biographical and Genealogical Record of La Salle and Grundy Counties Illinois, Volume 11, Chicago, 1900, pages 518-520 File at: http://files.usgwarchives.net/il/grundy/bios/vanderpo192nbs.txt This file has been created by a form at http://www.genrecords.net/ilfiles/ File size: 5.2 Kb