My Genealogy Hound

MARTIN VANDEN, retired manufacturer, merchant and farmer; P. O. Union City, Ind.; residence, Union City, Ind.; one of the old settlers of Darke Co.; born in Gallia Co., Ohio, Feb. 23, 1809; at the age of 18, he commenced to learn the trade of wagon and plow maker, and, after working at the same until 1833, he engaged in the above business on his own account, and continued the same for a period of thirteen years; in 1846, he engaged in the mercantile trade at Gallipolis, continuing the same until 1858, when he emigrated to Ohio and located at Union City, Darke Co., and has been a continuous resident of Darke Co. for upward of twenty-one years. When Mr. V. located here, there were only two buildings upon Elm street; he has witnessed the marvelous change of seeing the same become the business street of the place, and his own residence and store are built upon a part of his purchase of four lots, for which he at that time paid $30, now worth $1,000; at the time of the purchase, however, they were located in a pond of water. Upon the 1st of August, 1833, he was united in marriage with Rebecca Guy; she was born in Virginia Aug. 3, 1806; six children were the fruits of this union, of whom three are deceased; the living are Margaret A., Sarah J. and Julia M.