My Genealogy Hound

John W. Van Gilder, attorney at law, of Hamburg, Ark., is a native of Ohio, his birth occurring there in 1825, but his parents, Michael and Catherine (Forbes) Van Gilder, were born in New Jersey and Pennsylvania, respectively, the former of whom was a farmer by occupation, and a soldier in the War of 1812, being stationed at Long Island a part of the time. He was among the early settlers of Ohio, and there passed from life in 1883, his wife having died in 1851. Her father was a soldier in the Revolutionary War. When about twelve years old John W. Van Gilder was placed in charge of Rev. McGill, a Presbyterian minister, and at the age of fourteen years he entered Franklin College, at New Athens, Harrison County, Ohio, and after taking a general literary course, was graduated from this institution in 1844. From this State he went to Kentucky, and after spending one winter there as a teacher, went to Tennessee, where he followed the same calling until 1854, studying law in the meantime, being admitted to the bar at Raleigh, Shelby County, Tenn. The same year he came to Hamburg. Ark., and entered upon his practice, continuing until 1885, when he retired. He was a very successful practitioner, and in 1883 and 1885 was elected to the State Senate. Since retiring from practice he did but little until 1888, when he formed a partnership with E. D. Watson, an old merchant of Hamburg, and with him is now conducting a large mercantile establishment. He has been married twice, first to Miss Louisa A. Massey, of Shelby County, Tenn., in 1849, who lived until 1884, and his second union took place in December, 1886, to Mrs. M. E. Rawls, of Bradley County, a daughter of John R. Hampton. Mr. and Mrs. Van Gilder are members of the Presbyterian Church, and he is a Royal Arch Mason, and in his political views is a Democrat, believing in tariff reform, civil service and an honest ballot.