Ionia County MI Archives Obituaries.....Van Vleck, Rev. John 1880
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Marilyn Ransom mlnransom@chartermi.net August 15, 2012, 10:59 pm

The Ionia Standard, Thursday, July 22, 1880

This minister of the gospel died at Mecosta, July 15th, and was buried on 
Sunday last, the funeral taking place from the Palo Baptist church, of which 
he had been a pastor for 16 years.  The funeral was largely attended by the 
neighbors and friends of the deceased from all parts of Ionia county.  He was 
known all over this section of the county, having lived here over 40 years.  

In the year 1838 he came to Ionia county from New York city and purchased some 
land, covered now by the village of Palo, but then a dense forest.  In the 
following year he was followed by his father, Mathew Van Vleck, who died ten 
weeks ago, and his brothers, Peter and Albert Van Vleck, who still reside at 
Palo.

He joined the Baptist church in New York city before coming here and the Ionia 
Baptist church being without a pastor he supplied them nearly two years, when 
he was ordained to the work of the gospel ministry by an ecclesiastical 
council.  He organized the Baptist church at Palo in 1845, assumed charge of 
the same for two years, when he removed to Illinois, where he remained six 
years as pastor.  At the close of this period he returned to Palo, assumed 
charge of the church again and remained pastor until 1857.  He then went to 
Stanton, organized a Baptist church and built a home of worship, remaining two 
years.  He then acted as missionary in the Grand River Baptist Association for 
one year, during which time he built the house of worship at Carson City.  
Poor health compelled him to resign his work a few years ago.  A few months 
since he removed to Mecosta to engage in business.

He had been an ordained minister 35 years and did a great deal of pioneer work 
in this part of the state.  He was a good preacher, a clear thinker and an 
excellent pastor.  He was highly esteemed as a citizen, as the large gathering 
from all parts of Ionia county indicated at his funeral.  Rev. John Donnelly 
of this city preached the funeral sermon, and was assisted in the services by 
Rev. W. L. Munger and Rev. Mr. Roberts of the M. E. church of Palo.



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