Leon Reporter, Leon, Iowa
Thursday, May 29, l902

ANTHONY VANDERPOOL, familiarly known as Father VANDERPOOL, was born in Carter County, Tennessee, February 3, l8l3 and died May l9, l902, age 89 years, 3 months and l6 days. He bore his sufferings for years with the greatest of patience. When he was 3 years old his parents moved to Sheridan County, Mo.; when he was 5 he moved to Ray County, Mo., where he grew to manhood. On January l, l837, he married ESTHER STANLEY and moved to Mercer County, Mo., where he lived until l844 when he moved to Decatur County, Iowa, where his wife preceded him to the Spirit Land, June 7, l882. To this union ten children were born, three still surviving -- two sons and one daughter, and l6 grandchildren. He was again married September 25, l884, to ELIZA C. COMSTOCK. He was a member of the first Grand Jury ever empaneled in Decatur County and was the first man ordained to preach the Gospel in the county. His ministerial work covers a period of over thirty years and the territory of Northern Missouri and Southern Iowa and he helped organize the East Grand River Association at Bedford, Iowa; was a soldier in the Black Hawk and Seminole Wars. He has endured many hardships through his long life and his presence will be greatly missed by all who look at his vacant chair.

Copied by Nancee(McMurtrey)Seifert
"With permission from the Leon Journal Reporter"
February l0, 2003