My Genealogy Hound

JOSEPH VAN VLECK.
Joseph Van Vleck, one of the highly respected citizens and substantial farmers of Rossville township, Shawnee County, who resides on his well-improved farm of 80 acres in section 16, township 10, range 13, was born in 1821 in Madison County, New York, and is a son of Joseph and Hester (Francisco) Van Vleck.

Herman Van Vleck, the paternal grandfather of our subject, was born in Holland and came very early to America, settling in the Mohawk Valley, New York, and removing later to the tract in Madison County, known as the “Mile Strip.” His land was adjacent to that owned by the noted Abolition leader, Gerrit Smith, and they together attended the Congregational Church. Politically they differed, but personally were good friends and neighbors and were men of such character that when they sat together in the little church in Peterboro, their religious feelings were so genuine that political sentiments were excluded. The family continued to reside in Madison County until the death of the father. The mother died in Ontario County, New York.

Joseph Van Vleck received his educational training in his native locality, later moved to Grundy County, Illinois, and in 1878 came to Kansas. He purchased 320 acres of land in Rossville township from the Atchison, Topeka & Santa Fe Railway Company, the land being located in sections 9 and 16, township 10, range 13. He has retained 80 acres of this for his own use, the remainder having been given to his two sons.

Mr. Van Vleck was married in the village of Penfield, Monroe County, New York, to Mary A. Crain, who was a daughter of Mahlon Crain, a native of Vermont. Mrs. Van Vleck died in 1901, in her 79th year. They had eight children, the six survivors being: Mahlon, who has been a resident of Chicago for many years; T. J., of Topeka; Frank and Eugene, farmers of Rossville township; Clara, a resident of McCook, Nebraska; and C. E. who remains on the homestead with his father.

Mr. Van Vleck is identified with the Republican party and takes a great deal of interest in its successes. For many years he has been an Odd Fellow. He is a member of the Methodist Episcopal Church.