VAN NOSTRAND, Clark - 1912 Bio (1831-1914)

VAN NOSTRAND, GRIBBEN, BURKHAMMER, WHITING, GOSSICH

Posted By: Debbie Nash (email)
Date: 10/30/2005 at 21:05:31

From the “History of Jefferson County, Iowa” – 1912, Volume II,
Pages 274-276.

“Clark VAN NOSTRAND is a retired farmer living in Fairfield. A life of well directed energy and activity has brought him to the venerable age of eighty years, with the respect, good will and confidence of his fellowmen: so that today, all who know him – old and young, rich and poor, - entertain for him warm regard and strong friendship. His birth occurred in Ashland, Ohio, January 12, 1831, his parents being John and Elizabeth (GRIBBEN) VAN NOSTRAND, both of whom were natives of Pennsylvania; the father’s birth occurring in Westmoreland county September 1, 1800, while the mother was born in 1802. They were married in Ohio, and in the fall of 1850, came to Iowa; settling on a farm three miles north of Fairfield, which remained their place of residence until their life labors were over. The mother passed away about 1856, and Mr. Van Nostrand died on the 6th of April, 1859. In their family were four sons and two daughters: William, living in Leon, Iowa; Clark; Mrs. Amanda BURKHAMMER, of Shenandoah, Iowa; Lewis, Perry and Jane, all deceased.

Clark VAN NOSTRAND came to Iowa with his parents, and has since resided in Jefferson county. He was at that time a young man of about nineteen years. His education had been acquired in the schools of Ohio; and he had received practical training in farm work by assisting his father in the fields. Here he continued to aid in the cultivation of the old homestead property, until his father’s death. He was then married and began farming on his own account, continuing to engage in agricultural pursuits until about five years ago, when he retired and took up his abode in Fairfield. His first farm was about two and a half miles northeast of the city, in Buchanan township. There, in connection with his brother Lewis, he purchased a quarter section of land; and there they resided in the same house for five years and together carried on their business interests. At the end of that time, Clark VAN NOSTRAND purchased the interest of his brother and afterward added to his property, from time to time, as opportunity offered and financial resources permitted. In this way, he increased his holdings until he had four hundred and eighty acres, which he brought under a high state of cultivation; the fields annually returning him golden harvests. For a number of years, he also carried on farming in partnership with his son Lewis, and when, at the age of seventy-five years, he decided to put aside all business cares he divided his farm among his children. He is much pleased with the result of this division of his property, for they have made good use of what has been given them, and are no comfortably situated in life.

In 1859 Mr. VAN NOSTRAND wedded Miss Sarah WHITING, who was born in Ohio, April 9, 1832, and in her childhood came with her parents, Mr. and Mrs. Samuel B. WHITING, to Iowa. She was, thus, long closely associated with the pioneer development of this section of the state. For more than a half century, Mr. and Mrs. VAN NOSTRAND had traveled life’s journey happily together, when, on the 6th of January, 1911, they were separated by the death of the wife. Mr. VAN NOSTRAND always felt that he owed much of his success to her assistance, capable management and encouragement. Their’s (sic) was largely an ideal married relation, for their mutual love and confidence increased as the years passed by, and the greatest blow that has ever come to Mr. VAN NOSTRAND was in the death of her who had so long been to him a faithful and loved companion and helpmate on life’s journey. This well mated pair were the parents of six sons and a daughter. Three of the number died in infancy and one died at the age of five years, the others being: Anna, now the deceased wife of B. L. GOSSICH; Andrew B., of Colorado; and Lewis W., of Fairfield.

Mr. VAN NOSTRAND has long voted with the republican party, and, while not a politician in the usually accepted sense of office seeking, he has served as a member of the board of supervisors for a term of three years; he has, also, capably filled a number of township offices. He is a devoted and faithful member of the Christian church, and, in 1907, he built and donated to the church as a parsonage, an attractive, modern home. He as served as one of the elders in the church since its organization, and in every department of his work he has taken a deep and helpful interest, doing all in his power to promote the growth and extend the influence of Christianity as a moving force in the lives of the people of this district. Now, when old age has come upon him, he can look back over the past without regret; and forward to the future, without fear. Although he has reached the age of eighty years, Mr. VAN NOSTRAND is a remarkably well preserved man. His mind is yet clear and keen, displaying the vigor of many a man of much younger years; and he keeps in touch, through his reading, with the world’s advanced thought and progress.”