- DAVID VAN WART, one of Rock County's pioneer settlers, and
a leading farmer residing on
- section 29, Porter Township, is a native of New York, having
been born in Chautauqua County, Oct. 16, 1835. His parents, Bishop
and Lydia (GORDINIER) VAN WART, were also natives of the Empire
State, and the father was a soldier in the War of 1812. He had
previously resided in Rensselaer County, but after his discharge
from the service removed to Chautauqua County, where he engaged
in farming until 1844, when accompanied by his family he emigrated
to Janesville, Wis. Arriving in Rock County he purchased forty
acres of land, and afterward added to it another 40-acre tract,
which he purchased from the government. Being in a primitive
condition he had to clear it before planting his crops. He was
a man highly respected among the early settlers of the county,
and was a leading citizen, who took an active interest in the
progress, growth and advancement of the community in which he
resided. To Mr. and Mrs. VAN WART were born a family of eight
children: Ann the eldest, who became the wife of Nelson CLARK,
died at her home in the town of Porter on the 1st day of April,
1855; Abram, who was a farmer by occupation, died in Minnesota
in 1881; Jacob died Nov. 29, 1856; Harry, who was joined in wedlock
with Miss Lucy SCOFIELD, of Janesville Township, is residing
in Albany, Green County, Wis.; David, of this sketch, is the
fifth in order of birth; Newton, who is also engaged in agricultural
pursuits, is living in Lyle, Minn.; Emma Jane is now deceased;
and Orilla is the wife of Sylvester HOWARD, who resides in Oakland,
Cal.
- Bishop VAN WART continued to reside upon his farm in Porter
Township until his death, which
- occurred April 17, 1866, when his wife became an inmate of
the home of her son David. After ten years of widowhood she passed
to her final rest on the 1st day of April, 1876. She was a member
of the Methodist Episcopal Church, a most estimable lady, and
took an active part in the advancement and upbuilding of the
Master's cause on earth.
- David VAN WART passed his life in his native State until
nine years of age, when he came with
- his parents to Wisconsin in 1844. He was reared to farm life,
receiving his education in the public schools, and assisted his
father in the labors of the farm until 1852, when with a party
of seven young men he started for the gold fields of California,
making an overland trip. On reaching Council Bluffs they joined
a train of forty wagons, and with that party proceeded to the
Pacific Slope, reaching Downieville, Cal., on the 1st day of
August, 1852, after a long and toilsome journey of four months
across the plains. After two year spent in mining, in which he
was reasonably successful, he returned to Rock County, and in
connection with his father purchased the Ball Tavern, which was
widely known throughout the State. The succeeding eight years
of his life were spent as the proprietor of that tavern, when
he sold out and again turned his attention to agricultural pursuits,
purchasing the farm on which he now lives.
- On the 22d day of December, 1857, Mr. VAN WART led to the
marriage alter Miss Ann
- JONES, a native of Wales. Unto them have been born five sons,
and the family circle yet remains unbroken: Frank, the eldest,
born May 2, 1864, married Laurie BAGGS, and resides in Beloit,
Wis.; Liew is now living in Evansville; Charles, Don and David,
the three younger sons, are still under the parental roof, and
assist their father in the labors of the farm.
- To his original purchase Mr. VAN WART has since added 160
acres, his farm now aggregating
- 240 acres of as fine of land as can be found in Rock County.
He raises a good grade of all kinds of stock, his improvements
are of the best, and he is acknowledged to be one of the leading
and progressive farmers of Porter Township. For the long period
of forty-five years with the exception of the short time spent
in California, he has made his home in Rock County, has shared
in the trials and privations of pioneer life, has witnessed its
rapid growth and progress, has participated in the development,
which has transformed its wild and uncultivated prairies into
farms of great fertility, and has taken a deep interest in its
welfare. Mr. VAN WART has served as Chairman of the Board of
Supervisors in the town of Porter for three terms, ably discharging
the duties of that position. Socially, he is a member of the
Masonic fraternity, and in political affiliations was a member
of the Greenback party until 1884, when he joined forces with
the Democratic party, and has since adhered to its principles.
He enjoys, as he richly deserves, the respect of all, and is
well known throughout the community.
-
- Taken from "The Portrait and Biographical Album of
Rock County, Wis." (c)1889, pp. 978-979.
-
- Courtesy of Carol
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