Vandruff, Charles H. (1850-1938)

VANDRUFF

Posted By: Transcriber
Date: 11/4/2002 at 11:34:47

Charles Henry Vandruff
Aug 14, 1850 - Sep 25, 1938

(From the 1891 Biographical History of Pottawattamie County, Iowa, p.614)
C. H. VANDRUFF, section 28, Center Township, is one of the enterprising citizens of that part of Pottawatamie County. He came here in 1880, and has since made this place his home.
Mr. Vandruff was born in Rock Island County, Illinois, August 24, 1850, the son of Jacob and Louisa (Everhart) Vandruff. The father was a native of Greene County, Pennsylvania, of Pennsylvania Dutch ancestry, and the mother was born in New Jersey. His grandfather, Joshua Vandruff, was one of the pioneers of Rock Island County, having settled there in 1828. Two of the Vandruffs were in the Black Hawk war. The parents of our subject were married in Rock Island County. The mother still resides there, and the father made that his home until 1880 when his death occurred. He was a farmer the most of his life, but for two or three seasons was a pilot on the Mississippi River. He was a financially successful man and accumulated a good property. His political views were in accordance with Democratic principles. He was a member of the Methodist Episcopal Church, as also was his wife, and in that belief their children were brought up. They reared a family of five sons and five daughters, all of whom are now living, the subject of this sketch being the oldest. Four of them are residents of Nebraska, one is in California, two are in Rock Island, and C. H. and E. E. are located in Center Township.
C. H. was reared on his father's farm, and his education was received in the public schools of his native county, his studies being completed at the Milan High School. In 1880 he bought his present farm of 160 acres, and has since improved it until it ranks among the best farms in the township. It is all now under cultivation. His residence was erected in 1890, at a cost of $1,500 besides his own labor. It is situated on a natural building site, is built in modern style with bay windows and porches, and is surrounded with evergreens and ornamental trees. His barn was built in 1884, at a cost of $1,000. It is 28 x 40, with sixteen-feet posts, and has a basement of brick for sheltering stock. There are feedlots, a modern windmill, stock scales and other farm buildings and improvements. Everything about the premises shows the thrift of the proprietor.
Mr. Vandruff was married September 20, 1881, to Miss Laura Belle Barr, of Mills County, Iowa, a lady of culture and refinement. She is a daughter of John and Martha Barr, and was born and educated in Mahaska County, Iowa. Her father is now a resident of Chicago, Illinois. Mr. and Mrs. Vandruff have four children; Archie C., Walter F., Anna Louisa and Leonard L.