Harrison County Iowa Genealogy

HISTORY OF HARRISON COUNTY, IOWA, 1891
BIOGRAPHIES
Page 610
DAVID B. VANDERHOOF

David B. VANDERHOOF, (deceased), came to Harrison County in the autumn of 1864, and settled on the farm his widow now lives upon, the same being a part of section 2, LaGrange Township. The farm is known as "Hickory Heights." When Mr. VANDERHOOF came to this place first, there was a small log cabin in which they lived the first winter, and then they built an addition. The early domicile was white-washed throughout, which gave it a nice appearance. This work was accomplished by Mrs. VANDERHOOF and her daughter. This building served as a residence until the autumn of 1866, when they added another large log room, and in the spring of 1869, built their present house. Upon coming to the county our subject was a poor man, having to go in debt for his land, and experienced his share of pioneer hardships, and was compelled to go to Council Bluffs, that being the nearest trading point. He was born in Marion County, Ohio, February 4, 1822, and when six years of age his parents moved to Cass County, Mich., and he remained with his parents until twenty-two years of age, or in the fall of 1852, when he came to Harrison County. He remained one year, purchased land of his brother Thomas, in the Grove, which the latter had taken previous to this of the Mormons, but got discouraged and went back to Michigan, after one year, and there purchased a farm in Cass County, and remained until 1864, when he sold out and came to Harrison County. While living in Michigan, the last time, he cleared out a one hundred and sixty acre farm from the woods, which greatly impaired his health. He sold his place and moved into the village of Whitmanville, and lived three years.

Mr. VANDERHOOF was married in Whitmanville, Cass County, Mich., October 6, 1844, to Miss Dorcas HOWARD, by whom nine children were born--William T., September 13, 1845; Lucian P., October 2, 1847; Hester E., December 16, 1849; Albert F., April 4, 1852; Rhoda S., April 7, 1854; Arminda, February 22, 1857; Adelbert, April 9, 1859; Clara M., March 29, 1861; Orrin J., January 3, 1864. William T. died September 13, 1848; Adelbert died Jun 20, 1859. Rhoda, wife of Mr. BARNETT, died March 12, 1873, leaving one child who is living with his grandmother, Mrs. VANDERHOOF. Dorcas (HOWARD) VANDERHOOF, was born in Canada, at Lundy's Lane, two miles from Niagara Falls, November 11, 1826, and when six years of age her parents moved to Lockport, New York, and five years latter moved to Whitmanville, Cass County, Mich., where she remained until the date of her marriage. Mr. and Mrs. VANDERHOOF were both members of the Presbyterian Church. Concerning the children of our subject and his wife who have gone out into the life for themselves, it may be said that Lucian, their oldest son, is married and living in Berrien County, Mich.; Orrin is married and in Chicago. Albert was born in Cass County, Mich., and has usually made his home with his parents. He went to Decatur County, Kan., where he took a claim, remained two years, and then came to Harrison County. At the time of his father's death, he was engaged in the livery business at Logan, but sold out and took charge of the farm, where he still remains.

William B. HOWARD, the father of Mrs. VANDERHOOF, was born in Syracuse, New York, July 1, 1800, and remained there until he grew to manhood, and then went into Canada and lived until 1832, then back to Lockport, New York, and from there to Michigan. During the gold excitement in 1849, he went to California. His first wife had died and he had married his second wife, and he sent for her after he had been West awhile. She started and got within forty miles of him, but suddenly died. He returned to Michigan in 1883, and his friends had not heard from him in twelve years. After making a brief visit in Michigan, he went to Lundy's Lane, Canada, to visit his daughter, and there died September 6, 1885. The mother of Mrs. VANDERHOOF, Armedia LONDY, was born at Lundy's Lane, Canada, July 19, 1806, and after her marriage went to New York and died at Whitmanville, Michigan. They were the parents of ten children, Mrs. VANDERHOOF being the oldest. George D. BARNETT, who was born in Harrison County, March 3, 1873, and whose mother died March 12, 1873, is living with his grandmother, Mrs. VANDERHOOF.

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