Van Gilder, Joseph 1836-1912

VAN GILDER, MCKEAN, SMITH, GILBERT, VISSER, STURGES

Posted By: Volunteer Transcriber
Date: 5/14/2005 at 19:21:21

Newton (IA) Record November 7, 1912
Death of Joseph Van Gilder
A Well Known Resident of Jasper County for 48 Years

Van Gilder, Joseph

Joseph Van Gilder, one of the best known men of western Jasper county, died recently at the home of a daughter in Perry, with whom he and his aged companion have been making their home.

Mr. Van Gilder was a little over 76 years of age. He lived for many years on a farm in Mound Prairie township, and built the first house in Colfax. Everybody who has ever known Joe Van Gilder could bear testimony to his honorable, upright character.

His youngest son, Joseph Jr., of this city, accompanied by his wife, attended the funeral at Perry, conducted by Mrs. Judge Ladd of Des Moines, a personal friend of Mr. Van Gilder.

The following story of his life is taken from the Perry Chief:

Joseph Van Gilder was born in Knox county, Illinois, September 26, 1836, died October 22, 1912, at the home of his daughter, Mrs. R. C. McKean, in Perry. Mr. Van Gilder was united in marriage to Miss Margaret Smith in 1862. Thirteen children were born to them, five of whom have preceded him on that journey from which no traveler returns. His wife and eight children survive him, Mrs. R. C. McKean, Perry; Lewis Van Gilder, Buxton; Charles Van Gilder, Des Moines; Stella Gilbert, Denver, Colorado; Earl Van Gilder, Marshalltown; Mabel Visser, Tracy; Joseph Van Gilder, Newton and Prudence Sturges, Iowa City.

Mr. Van Gilder truly died a happy Christian having been converted to Christ about 36 years ago. He now has finished his course and fought a good fight of faith, overcoming temptations and trials and surmounting great difficulties, which have many times tested his armour. He kept the faith and came out victorious and passed on to his reward.

Mr. Van Gilder has been handicapped in his race of life, being born a cripple making it very difficult for him to walk or work, one of his limbs being misshapen and having practically no use of one hand, the other also affected partially. In this unfortunate condition he entered upon the activities and responsibilities of this life with cheerfullness, working hard and supporting a large family which might have staggered the hopes of many less unfortunate. He assumed the burdens of life hopefully.

The closing months of his life have been especially marked by a deepening of his faith and a closer walk with his Master, looking forward with much expectancy to go and be with Jesus. Prayerful, thankful, always rejoicing, we are glad to say was the last epoch and the closing scenes of his life. Had he lived until next January 13th, he and his wife would have celebrated their golden wedding anniversary.

Originally submitted on Sun Jun 30 17:48:44 2002