Will County IL Archives Biographies.....Van Duser, George 1817 - ************************************************ 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 May 6, 2007, 2:51 pm Author: Portrait & Bios Album, 1890 GEORGE VAN DUSER. This fine old gentleman and his equally estimable wife, whose portraits appear on the opposite pages, are numbered among the early settlers of this county, who came hither when the country presented a widely different appearance from that of to-day. They bore with their neighbors the usual toils and hardships of pioneer life, and have made for themselves a good record morally, socially and financially. They commenced their wedded life together with moderate means and by the exercise of unflagging industry have made for themselves a home and a competence, and are now passing down the sunset hill of life in the midst of peace and plenty, enjoying the comforts which they have so justly earned, together with the unqualified esteem and confidence of those around them. They have a pleasant home and much that makes life desirable. In noting the early history of the Van Duser family, we find that the father of our subject was one John Van Duser, who was born in Johnstown, Montgomery County, N. Y., February 3, 1772. He spent his early life amid the quiet scenes of the country, obtaining a common-school education and becoming familiar with farm pursuits. When ready to establish a home of his own, he was wedded to Miss Catherine Bingham, a maiden of his own township, and who was born October 26, 1785. The parents of our subject for a time after their marriage lived in Madison County, N. Y., but in 1837 decided to seek their fortunes in what was then the Far West, and came to this county in June, that year. The father secured a tract of land in New Lenox Township, where he engaged successfully in farming, building up a comfortable home stead, where he and his estimable partner spent the remainder of their days. The mother passed away August 25, 1852. John Van Duser departed this life April 21, 1860. Both were members of the Methodist Episcopal Church, and there was born to them a family of eleven children, George Van Duser being the only one surviving. The subject of this sketch was the sixth child of his parents, and was born Juty 19, 1817, in Lenox, Madison County, N. Y. He there spent the days of his boyhood and youth until 1836, then starting out for himself, made his way westward, arriving in Chicago in the fall of the year, and sojourned there until the following June. He then came to this county, and selecting his future location, commenced the development of a farm, which has since been his home. He was married at Joliet, November 25, 1840, to Miss Elmina, daughter of the Hon. Nathaniel and Acsah (Wheeler) Mellen. The young people commenced their wedded life together at the homestead which they now own and occupy and have labored faithfully together in the building up of a home for themselves and their children. The father of Mrs. Van Duser was born in Farmingham, Mass., January 4, 1794, while his good wife was born in Connecticut, November 27, 1791. After marriage they settled in Bennington County, Vt., but finally decided to seek their fortunes in the West, and emigrated to what is now Kankakee County, this State, arriving here in October, 1838. Mr. Mellen selected a tract of land along the Kankakee River, where he opened up a good farm, and there with his estimable partner spent the remainder of his days. Mr. Mellen died March 27, 1866. The mother survived her husband for a period of nine years, her death taking place October 27, 1875. They were Universalists in religious belief and honest and upright people, who gained the esteem of all around them. Nathaniel Mellen was a prominent man in the town of Winhall, Bennington County, Vt., where he served as Justice of the Peace, Township Clerk and Selectman. He fairly earned his title of Honorable by serving several terms in the State Legislature in Vermont. Mr. and Mrs. Mellen were the parents of seven children, six of whom are living. Mrs.Van Duser was the second born, and first opened her eyes to the light in Bennington County,Vt., May 30, 1818. She obtained her education in the common schools, and remained a member of the parental household until her marriage. Her family, as did that of her parents, numbered also seven children. The eldest, a daughter, Emily A., is the widow of John Widney; Elmina A. married Joshua Barrett; George Jerome is married, and is a resident of Franklin County, Iowa; Gilbert M. lives in Wilson County, Kan.; Eddie H. remains at home with his parents; Flora O. is the wife of Frank Gorham, of Monona County, Iowa; Ida E. died when twelve years old. Mr. Van Duser is the only survivor of his father's large family. He has always been content to follow agricultural pursuits, and has a well-tilled farm of ninety-three acres, which yields him a comfortable income, and upon which he has made good improvements. His honored father was the first Supervisor of New Lenox Township, to which he gave its name in honor of Lenox, Madison County, N. Y., where he had formerly lived. While a resident of the Empire State, he held the office of Justice of the Peace for the long period of sixteen years in succession. Additional Comments: Portrait and Biographical Album of Will County, Illinois, Containing Full Page Portraits and Biographical Sketches of Prominent and Representative Citizens of the County; Chicago: Chapman Bros., 1890 File at: http://files.usgwarchives.net/il/will/bios/vanduser1350nbs.txt This file has been created by a form at http://www.genrecords.net/ilfiles/ File size: 5.9 Kb