Obituary: Rock County, Wisconsin: David VAN WART, Sr.

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Submitted by Ruth Ann Montgomery, <rmontgomery@cishome.com> June 2005

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About noon last Monday, David Van Wart, Sr., suffered a stroke of
paralysis, while in the drug store of his son, Lieu Van Wart. Dr. Smith,
Sr., was called and as soon as possible he was taken to his home on Liberty
Street. His right side is paralyzed and he is still unable to speak. At
present he is lying in a very precarious condition. His sons, Don of
Janesville, and Frank, and the latter's wife, of Beloit, were immeidately
summoned.

September 27, 1902, The Badger, p. 1, col. 2, Evansville, Wisconsin

OBITUARY

DAVID VAN WART

David Van Wart was born in Chautauqua County, New York, Oct. 16, 1831, and
came west with his parents, locating near Janesville in 1844. The family
remained there a year and then moved to the Van Wart farm four miles east
of this city. This place has been the home of the deceased since, with the
exception of two years spent in California, from 1852 to 1854 and about ten
years at the old Ball Tavern.

Last March he moved to this city, having purchased a residence on Liberty
Street. In 1847 he was married to Miss Ann Jones. Five sons were born to
them, all of whom were with him during his last illness.

The deceased was a man of peculiar gentleness and devotion to those
dependent upon him, and leaves a pleasant memory with all those who knew
him in a business or social way.

As the result of his own ability and industry he has been able to spend his
last years in ease; interested more in the business of his sons than in his
own affairs.

The funeral occurred from his late residence, Thursday afternoon, the Rev.
W. M. Short officiating.

October 4, 1902, The Badger, p. 1, col. 4, Evansville, Wisconsin


Mr. David Van Wart, aged 72 departed from this life at his home in this
city, Tuesday morning, Sept. 30, 1902.

The deceased was taken with a shock of paralysis just one week before his
death in his son Lew's store, almost immediately after attending a democrat
meeting at Magee's hall where Mayor Rose of Milwaukee spoke, and we are
informed that he told Mr. Rose that he had always been a good faithful
democrat but could not vote for him, and he had somewhat of a heated
political discussion just before he was taken ill. Mr. VanWart has always
been a very honest, conscientious democrat and no doubt became unusually
wrought up at seeing and hearing the good old democrat principles so
demoralized.

He was one of the very earliest settlers in the town of Porter, where he
settled in 1844 and resided, aside from two years which he spent in
California. For many years he was a proprietor of what was then known as
the Ball Tavern, long ago gone into disuse as a hotel but one of the
principal hostleries between this city and Janesville in an early day, and
it was here that Mr. Van Wart made many warm friends with his ever warm
welcome and hospitality to the weary traveler. After the railroad came here
and there was no more use for this building as a hotel he moved on a farm
near by, where he resided until moving to this city last spring, when he
purchased Mr. Elwood's residence property here with the intention of
retiring from active business and enjoying the fruits of his labors the
remainder of his days, which have been cut off far too soon, for although
he was well along in years from good care and temperate habits he was still
a middle-aged man to look upon.

He was a most valuable, highly respected citizen, whom Evansville can ill
afford to lose in its councils for good and its best welfare. He leaves a
wife and five sons to mourn their sad loss as well as a host of friends;
these are Frank and Don, successful business men in Beloit; Lew and David,
Jr., equally successful in business in this city; and Charles who still
remains upon the old homestead farm in Porter.

The funeral will be held at the home in this city, Thursday afternoon at
2:30 o'clock, Rev. W. M. Short, officiating clergyman.

September 30, 1902, p. 3, col. 4, Tribune, Evansville, Wisconsin