Bio: VanGorden, Charles W. (History - 1834)

Contact: Janet Schwarze

Surnames: VANGORDEN HUMPHREY BARNES COOPER

----Source: 1891 History of Clark and Jackson County, Wisconsin, by Franklyn, Curtiss-Wedge

CHARLES W. VAN GORDEN, treasurer of Jackson County, is a man of sterling traits of character, and is deserving of a space in this record of the progressive men of the county. He was born in Chemung County, New York, in the town now known as Horsehead, November 17, 1843. His parents, Isaac S. and Deborah (Humphrey) Van Gorden, were natives of the same State and county, were reared, married and died there. The father was a farmer by occupation, and accumulated a considerable amount of property. He was a man prominent in all public enterprises, and was a leader in the community. He and his wife were active members of the Methodist Episcopal Church. Mrs. Van Gorden was possessed of a voice of rare sweetness and power, and sang with unusual effect. The parental ancestors were Hollanders, who settled in the State of New York at an early day. The Humphreys were of Irish descent and were also early settlers of New York.

Isaac Van Gorden and his wife reared a family of eight children: George, Malinda, Alonzo, Fletcher, Charles W., Martha, Franklin and Schuyler. The father was married a second time, the last wife being Amanda Wilcox, of Chemung County, New York. One child was born to this union Mahlon.

To return to the subject of this biography, he passed his childhood and youth in his native town and county, received his education in the common schools and assisted his father in the duties pertaining to the care of the farm. In 1866 he bade farewell to these scenes of his early days, and emigrated to Illinois, settling on a farm in Henry County. There he resided until 1869, when he came to Jackson County, Wisconsin, and purchased eighty acres of land on Section 11, Hixton Township. He has since added another eighty acres, and the whole is well improved and under good cultivation. The buildings are of a modern style of architecture, are substantial and well suited to the needs of p prosperous farmer. When Mr. Van Gorden started out in life for himself, he was endowed with only the capital which nature provides her sons, but he has made the most the talents given to his keeping. At the time of his marriage he had only 4, and had paid the preacher the half of that amount for tying the knot.

In 1890 he was nominated by the Democrats and Farmers Alliance for Treasurer of the county, and was elected by a majority of sixty, the county having given a Republican majority in 1888 of several hundred. He has held some office in his township ever since he became a resident of the county. All of his life he has been a stanch adherent to the principles of the Democratic party.
In addition to his public duties, Mr. Van Gorden is paying particular attention to the raising of live-stock, and is making a success of this branch of farming.

March 2, 1864, he was united in the holy bonds of marriage to Miss Sarah Barnes, of Chemung County, New York. She was born September 14, 1844, and is a daughter of Oliver C. and Hannah (Cooper) Barnes, natives of the State of New York. Six children have been born to Mr. and Mrs. VanGorden: Charles B., Oliver C., Isaac, Hannah E., Loring G. and Milton W. Isaac and Milton W. are deceased the others are single and living at home.

VANGORDEN HUMPHREY BARNES COOPER