|
Matthew Van Deusen is one of the venerable and
highly esteemed residents of Manchester, where he has made his home continuously
for the past forty-six years, living retired since 1896. For a period of
twenty-eight years he was actively engaged in the produce business here, winning
a gratifying measure of success in the undertaking. His birth occurred in
Columbia county, New York, on the 3d of December,
1822, his parents being Cornelius and Maria (McKagg)
Van Deusen, both of whom were natives of the Empire
state. In 1836 they removed to Michigan, but at the end of four years residence
in that state returned to New York, where they spent the remainder of their
lives. They had seven children, three of whom survive.
When a youth of fourteen
Matthew Van Deusen secured a position as clerk in a
store in Kalamazoo, Michigan.
The year 1868 witnessed his arrival in Manchester, Delaware county, Iowa, and
here he embarked in the produce business, conducting an enterprise of that
character continuously and profitably until his retirement in 1896. He enjoys
the distinction of having made the first pound of butter made in the first
creamery in the
United States and also made the butter that won the gold medal prize at the
Philadelphia exposition in 1876. He now lives with his daughter, Mrs.
Sabin, spending the evening of life in well earned
ease and comfort.
 |
When a youth of
fourteen Matthew Van Deusen secured a position as clerk in a
store in Kalamazoo, Michigan.
The year 1868 witnessed his arrival in Manchester, Delaware county, Iowa, and
here he embarked in the produce business, conducting an enterprise of that
character continuously and profitably until his retirement in 1896. He enjoys
the distinction of having made the first pound of butter made in the first
creamery in the
United States and also made the butter that won the gold medal prize at the
Philadelphia exposition in 1876. He now lives with his daughter, Mrs.
Sabin, spending the evening of life in well earned
ease and comfort.
In
1847 Mr. Van Deusen was united in marriage to Miss Sarah
Barnes, a native of the state of New York, by whom he had a daughter,
Caro, who is the widow of Denison
Sabin and resides in Manchester. The wife and mother
died in 1897 and was laid to rest in the Manchester
cemetery. Mr. Van Deusen
belongs to Manchester Lodge, No. 165, A. F. & A. M., in
which he has filled all of the chairs. He is an
omnivorous reader and keeps well informed regarding
current events. He is now in the ninety second year of his age and his life has ever been such that he can look back
over the past without regret and forward to the future
without fear. |
|
