Anthony Vanderpool (1813-1902) was born in Carter County, Tenn. When he was three years old, the family moved to Sheridan Co., Mo., then to Ray Co., at the age of five. He lived there until his mid twenties. He married Easter Stanley in 1837 and they moved to Decatur Co. To this union 10 children were born. Only three of them lived. They were: John, Oliver and Mary Ann.

After the death of Easter in 1884, he married Eliza Comstock in 1884. To this union seven children were born. They were: Oscar, Ollie, Lela, Ernie, Judd, Lloyd and Clate.

Anthony was a member of the first grand jury empaneled in Decatur Co. in 1851. He was also the first minister ordained in the Baptist Church. He helped organize the East Grand River Association at Bedford, Ia. His ministry covered a period of 30 years. He was a soldier in the Blackhawk Seminole War (1835-1842).

Ernie entered the Ministry in 1916 at the age of 32. At the time of his death in 1966, he was active as a supply pastor. The little Pleasant Valley Country Church was his first pastorate, later serving the Baptist Church in Grand River. He held pastorates at Lockridge, Ia., serving both the church in town and the Round Prarie Country Church. After moving to Mo., he held pastorates at Hale, Oak Grove, Glasgow, Creighton, Cainsville and Bagard. He conducted over 850 funerals and several hundred weddings. His last years were spent in Evangelistic work and he held revivals in many states, being called back for as many as six revivals. Ernie's wife was Jessie Snook.