Whiteside County IL Archives Biographies.....Van Demark, James H 
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File contributed for use in USGenWeb Archives by:
Deb Haines http://www.rootsweb.com/~archreg/vols/00003.html#0000719 January 31, 2008, 2:18 am

Author: Portrait/Bio Album, Whiteside County IL 1885

James H. Van Demark, general farmer and stock-grower on section 25, Hume 
Township, was born March 12, 1830, in Marble Township, Ulster Co., N. Y. Jacob 
S. Van Demark, his father, was born in the same town and was a farmer and 
carpenter. The family is of Dutch descent, the ancestral progenitors having 
come to America from the Netherlands at a period between the two struggles 
with the Government of Great Britain. Maria (Parker) Van Demark, was born in 
New Haven, Conn., of pure Yankee lineage. She and her husband were married in 
Ulster Co., N. Y., and the family were resident there until 1867, when they 
came to Whiteside County and located at Sterling. The father died there in 
August, 1872, age 70 years. The mother died in the same place in January, 
1882, when 78 years of age. Mr. Van Demark is the second in order of birth of 
seven children, and he remained a member of the parental household some time 
after reaching maturity, receiving a good common-school education. He had 
obtained a fair knowledge of the occupation of a carpenter, working with his 
father as opportunity served. He was married in Olive Township, Ulster County, 
Jan. 12, 1854, to Judith Winchell. They had three children: Delia is the wife 
of H. H. Chapin, of whom a sketch is to be found elsewhere; Watson, born March 
10, 1860, was married Jan. 17, 1883, to Lou E. Wilber. She was born Sept. 6, 
1863, in Ogle Co., Ill., and resides with her husband in Hume Township, on the 
homestead of his parents. Her father and mother, Edwin B. and Harriet (Collar) 
Wilber, reside in Hume Township. She was brought up to the age of 15 years in 
Linn Co., Iowa. Utilla is the youngest child, and she was born Aug. 25, 1862. 
She has been educated with care and resides at her father's home. Mrs. Van 
Demark was born in Olive Township, Ulster Co., in 1831, and was the daughter 
of Josiah and Phebe (Boice) Winchell. She died in Hume Township, July 23, 
1883. Her father died when she was young. She was the oldest of three 
children, and her brother Jacob and sister Elizabeth are still her survivors. 
After his marriage Mr. Van Demark lived with his parents for some years, 
following his trade and working on the farm. In 1867 he removed his family and 
interests to Sterling, where he pursued his mechanical calling and 
superintended the construction of some of the most important buildings at Rock 
Falls. In 1867 he purchased 120 acres of land in the township of which he has 
since been a resident, and where he has devoted much of his time and energies 
to its improvements. He built a school-house within the first year after his 
change of base, and has followed his trade to some extent in conjunction with 
his farming. He is now the proprietary owner of 360 acres of land, all under 
advanced cultivation and with creditable and valuable buildings. Mr. Van 
Demark is a Republican in political sentiments, and is active in local and in 
general affairs. He has officiated as Township Treasurer between seven and 
eight years.

Additional Comments:
Portrait and Biographical Album of Whiteside County, Illinois, Containing Full-
page Portraits and Biographical Sketches of Prominent and Representative 
Citizens of the County. Chicago: Chapman Brothers, 1885.

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