My Genealogy Hound

JOHN T. VANDERVEER is numbered among the representative farmers and fruit-growers of Watervliet Township, Berrien County, and is a highly respected gentleman, both for his good business qualifications and his upright character. His birth occurred in Emmet Township, Calhoun County, Mich., December 3, 1851, he being a son of James and Nancy (Young) Vanderveer.

The grandfather of our subject, John Vanderveer, was born in New Jersey, where he was trained to be a sailor. He was a pioneer of Glenn Township, Montgomery County, N. Y., and there died in 1860, on the farm which he had cleared and improved. He served in the New York Assembly, and proved himself worthy of that responsible position. His wife was Miss Ann Vorhees, and to them were born the following children: John, William, Lewis, James, Newton, Ruth and Arthur. All of these children have become the heads of families, with the exception of John and Arthur. The mother was a member of the Dutch Reformed Church, and died in 1860. The father was a Whig and a Republican in politics.

James Vanderveer was born in the town of Glenn, N. Y., February 14, 1828, and worked on the farm until he was twenty years old, when he moved to Calhoun County, Mich., and settled on a quarter-section of land on the banks of the lake, near Battle Creek. He improved this tract and lived on it until 1855, at which time he moved into the town of Battle Creek, and embarked in the mercantile business. Soon afterward he had the misfortune to lose everything that he had by fire, but amid all these discouragements Mr. Vanderveer kept up courage, and again moved to the country to try his fortune. This time he came to Berrien County and settled in Benton Township, where he purchased a farm of two hundred and sixty acres, which he has since given to his children. He has served in six different township offices and gives his influence to the Democratic party, although he was at one time a stanch supporter of the Whig and Republican platforms. His faithful wife, who still survives, is the daughter of Joseph and Elizabeth (Van Wert) Young, who were the parents of four sons and four daughters. Joseph Young was a pioneer of Calhoun County, going there about the year 1836. In his religious affiliations he was a Presbyterian, and in politics a Republican.

John T. Vanderveer is one of the four surviving children born to his parents, the others being William N., Anna and Ernest. John was kept on the farm until he was nine years old, and on reaching his eighteenth year began life on his own account by working at $16 a month for two years. At the age of twenty, he bought a farm of forty acres in Benton Township, and in 1878 was enabled to buy one hundred and sixty acres of timber-land in Watervliet Township, which he at once began clearing and improving. He now makes fruit a specialty, and his farm is one of the finest looking and best kept in the county.

Our subject is valuable to this vicinity in political affairs, and has held some prominent and accredited positions, among which is that of Township Treasurer and Supervisor. He is a warm adherent of the Democratic party, and also a member of the Independent Order of Odd Fellows.

Mr. Vanderveer was married to Mary R. Spencer February 1, 1877. This lady was born in Bainbridge, this county, to Charles A. and Elizabeth (Dix) Spencer, of Benton Township. She became the mother of five children: Roy, Percy, Bertha, Bessie and Nancy.