My Genealogy Hound

JOHN VANORDSTRAND, farm and stock; P. O. Heyworth; was born June 11, 1830, in Washington Co., Penn., and remained there until 1849; was engaged in farming. He then came to McLean Co., Ill., and settled in Randolph Township, engaging in selling goods at Independence, now Heyworth; was in partnership with Isaac Vanordstrand until 1855. In 1851, he was married to Elizabeth Oliver, born in Ireland in 1828; she came to Illinois in 1849. In 1855, he began farming, renting for one year; in 1860, he came to his present farm of 384 acres, which he bought in 1851, every particle of which they have earned by their own labor and management. When Mr. Vanordstrand came to Illinois, he had but $25; he began business by borrowing money, and by skillful contrivance has made himself a magnificent home. His farm was a raw prairie when he settled on it, but now is under fine improvement. He has held offices connected with schools sixteen years; Highway Commissioner five years, is now on sixth; was Collector one year, and Assessor one year. He makes a specialty of breeding fine cattle, hogs, sheep and horses; especially noteworthy is his Norman horse, which is one of the finest in the State. They have seven children — W. P. and I. S. (twins), Belle, John, Ella, George and Arthur.