CEDAR COUNTY, NEBRASKA - Mary F. VAN
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Wynot Tribune May 22, 1913

Old Pioneer buried here

Mrs. Mary F. Van, wife of Late Col. C.C. Van, Interred in local cemetery

The remains of Mary F. Van, widow of the late Col. C.C. Van were brought 
to Wynot Monday evening from Steamboat Springs, Col., and on Tuesday at 
eleven o'clock, after a simple ceremony conducted by Dr. Gallagher of 
Hartington, the body was laid to rest beside her husband in the Wynot 
Cemetery.

Mrs. Van passed away at her home in Steamboat Springs on Wednesday, May 
6th, after a short illness. Mary F. Roan (her maiden name)  was born in 
North Carolina. Her exact age is unknown, although as near as can be 
judged she was about eighty. At an early day she came with her family to 
Des Moines, Iowa where she was married to Col. Van, then a wealthy citizen 
of that place. They soon moved to Cedar County, where Mr. Van became a 
large land owner. The present sight of Wynot, with many hundred acres 
adjoining it was the property of Col. Van.

Col. Van passed away about twenty-nine years ago and his widow continued 
to reside here until twelve years ago, when she removed to Colorado with 
her daughter, Mrs. A.M. Gooding, and resided there until her death.  This 
daughter is the only member of the family remaining with the exception of 
two brothers of the deceased living at Des Moines. 

The pioneer couple was well known by all of the early settlers of this 
portion of Nebraska.  Col. Van was an erratic character and was fond of 
remarking that the three biggest men were Jesus Christ, George Washington 
and Col. Van. He was a rather wreckless partaker of the "cup that cheers," 
but when not under the influence, he was a royal entertainer and nothing 
was too good for a guest in his home. It was thought at the time of his 
death that he was worth a half million, which made him an exceedingly 
wealthy man of that day. Much of his wealth was disipated before his death, 
but his widow owned about 800 acres where Wynot stands until her removal 
to Colorado.

Mr. and Mrs. A.M. Gooding, her daughter and son-in-law accompanied the remains 
to Wynot.  Mr. Gooding formerly practiced law in Hartington and is now 
following that profession successfully in Steamboat Springs. He visited at 
Hartington Monday afternoon and they returned to their home on Wednesday.