Obituaries: William Henry Vandegaer, Sabine Parish V-532 Source: Sabine Index, Many, La., Mar 14, 1947 Submitted by: Tammy Larche-Smith tammy@cp-tel.net ********************************************** Copyright. All rights reserved. http://usgwarchives.net/copyright.htm http://usgwarchives.net/la/lafiles.htm ********************************************** The Sabine Index - William Henry Vandegaer 14 Mar 1947 - Funeral rites for William Henry Vandegaer, age 81, were held 9:30 a.m. last Friday at St. John's Catholic church with solemn high Mass in the presence of His Excellency, Most Reverand Charles P. Green, bishop of Alexandria, with Rev. J. A. Benoit, pastor, as celebrant; Right Reverand Monsignor John C. Vandegaer of Natchitoches, deacon; Rev. R. M. Maure of Tallulah, a former pastor, sub-deacon; Rev. John A. Strmiska, C. S. Sp. of Natchitoches, master of ceremonies, and Rev. Robert C. Friend of Zwolle serving as chaplain to the bishop. The sermon was delivered by Right Reverand Monsignor John C. Vandegaer of Natchitoches, a first cousin of the deceased. Monsignor Vandegaer said of Mr. Vandegaer, "He was an honest man, his life was an open book and he played the game square." Always in his political life he looked upon himself as a servant of the people. He was a man of such clear and certain principles that upon any given question and in any circumstances those who know him could know beforehand just how he would stand. Surviving are son, J. B. Vandegaer, and daughter, Miss Sarah A. Vandegaer. Pallbearers were: T. W. Hardee, Jr., J. A. Lucius, Harvey Skinner, C. A. McGhee and J. M. Belisle. Honorary pallbearers were his many friends. Massingill funeral home directed the interment in St. John's cemetery. Wiliam Henry Vandegaer, son of John Baptiste and Maria J. Vandegaer, was born in Many on Dec. 2, 1865 and has resided on the same spot where he was born all his life, having resided in Many longer than any other person. He was educated in the public school at Many and finished his education at St. Charles college, Grand Coteau, St. Landry parish, 1884. Mr. Vandegaer's parents were natives of Belgium and pioneer settlers of Many. His mother came in the year 1837 and his father in the year 1859. His father was one of the five original builders of St. John's Catholic church of Many, of which faith he and his son lived and died consistent membership. On April 25, 1894, he was married by Father J. Aubree, pastor St. John's Catholic church, Many, to Miss Mary Bell Buvens, daughter of John G. and Sarah Anne (nee Dendy) Buvens, who was born July 7, 1853, in Many. To this union two children were born, John Baptiste and Sarah Anne Vandegaer. Between the years 1884 and 1895 he was associated in the mercantile business with his father, John Baptiste Vandegaer, and brother, Leo Vandegaer, doing business under the name of J. B. Vandegaer & Sons. In 1892 he was elected tax assessor of Sabine parish and was reelected from term to term until he served four terms or 16 years in this position, retiring at the end of 1908. Inf February 1908 he was elected to the position of clerk of district court of Sabine parish, which position he filled four three consecutive terms. During this time he was associated in the mercantile business with the late J. H. McNeel Mercantile company. On Nov. 26, 1904 he had the misfortune of losing his wife and in September 1905 was married to Mrs. Lottie Hatcher, nee Abington, a daughter of Dr. T. W. Abington and Mrs. Sallie Abington, nee Lipscomb, who were among the pioneer settlers of DeSoto parish, and to this union no children were born. He served as clerk of the local draft board and as federal food administrator for Sabine parish during World War I. After retiring from the office of clerk of district court in 1920, Mr. Vandegaer engaged in the abstract and title business in Many in which business he was engaged, associated with his daughter, Miss Sarah A. Vandegaer, with offices in The Peoples State Bank building, at the time of his death. For several years he was connected with the late J. G. Belisle in the newspaper business publishing The Sabine Index. He was a director of The Peoples State Bank of Many for many years. Mr. Vandegaer died at the age of 81 years, having resided at the home of his birth all his life. He saw Many and Sabine parish advance from the days of the ox team hauling freight from Grand Escore landing on Red River, 35 miles east, over roads that required six days to make a round trip, to the present railroad services. In a measure he was responsible for the Kansas City Southern railroad coming through the town of Many. He saw paved roads and improvements in all lines come to pass no one dreamed could be made in the span of one man's life. He was one of the most widely-known citizens of Sabine parish and well known throughout the state of Louisiana. Mr. Vandegaer was Many's oldest, best known, and loved citizen. His good judgement, generosity and kindness will be missed by his many friends of long standing. Mr. Vandegaer passed away suddenly 11:30 a.m. Wednesday, March 5 at his office of a heart attack.