My Genealogy Hound

HENRY VAN TILBURG, who has served with ability as Justice of the Peace and Treasurer of the township of Ontwa, Cass County, Mich., is a leading agriculturist and a highly esteemed citizen. He was born in Union County, Pa., upon the 15th of May, 1836. His parents were John and Elizabeth (Wikle) Van Tilburg. The paternal grandfather, William Van Tilburg, was a son of Henry Van Tilburg, of Dutch origin, who was a pioneer farmer of Jefferson County, where he passed away at ninety-five years of age. His good wife was a Shaker. Grandfather Van Tilburg was born in Bucks County, Pa., and served with brave fidelity in the War of 1812. While in New Orleans he became very sick, and, tenderly cared for, he afterward married his nurse. She was a Frenchwoman named Williams. The four sons of the union were Samuel, John, William and Benjamin, all born in Bucks County, Pa. The father died in Lycoming County. Grandfather Van Tilburg was in religious belief a Lutheran. He lived for a brief time in Ohio, but spent the most of his life in Pennsylvania.

The father of our subject was born in the Quaker State June 2, 1806. He was a carding manufacturer by trade, but after removing to Summit County, Ohio, in 1845, followed the peaceful avocation of a farmer. In 1854 he journeyed by team to Elkhart County, Ind., and in 1859 located in Jefferson Township, Cass County, Mich., where he died September 2, 1862. He had enlisted in Company F, Twelfth Michigan Regiment, but was mustered out before leaving the State. Enjoying the confidence of the communities in which he resided, he officiated as Justice of the Peace in Ohio, and was a Township Trustee in Indiana. He was an earnest and resolute man of integrity and perseverance. Politically, he was a Democrat, and a member of the Evangelical Church. His widow died in Elkhart, April 24, 1874. She was born in Northumberland County, Pa., December 31, 1803, and was the daughter of Peter Wikle, a native of Pennsylvania, although his parents were of German nativity, the father and mother emigrating from the Old Country to America, where they died at an advanced age. Peter Wikle fought in the War of 1812, and reared four sons and five daughters. His wife also died in the Quaker State. The family were of Evangelical faith, and in political preference Mr. Wikle was a Whig. He was a shoemaker by trade, and was an industrious and upright man.

Our subject was one of the four children who clustered about the family hearth of the old home. John died at nineteen years of age; Henry was the second-born; Mary Moore, the only daughter, resides in Mecosta County, Mich.; Jacob is the youngest of the family. Henry Van Tilburg began the labor of life in a woolen factory and continued to work in the same until he removed with his father to Ohio. In 1860 he settled in Jefferson Township, Cass County, Mich., and in 1863 located where he now resides, on the Redfield estate. In 1881 he purchased forty-two acres of land on section 24, Ontwa Township. In his official duties as Justice of the Peace and Treasurer of the township, he has given great satisfaction to the community by whom he is surrounded. Politically, he is a Democrat, interested in local and national issues. Fraternally, he is a member of the Ancient Free & Accepted Masons.

Upon August 16, 1857, our subject was united in marriage with Miss Lavina Danner, daughter of Michael and Catherine (Whetmire) Danner, and born in Stark County, Ohio, her parents being farmers of the Buckeye State, but natives of Lancaster County, Pa. Mrs. Catherine Danner has been twice married. By her first husband she became the mother ofi four daughters and one son. After the death of Mr. Danner she married Joseph Flickinger, and has borne him one son and a daughter. They are living with our subject. The maternal grandfather of Mrs. Van Tilburg was Philip Downer, who was born in Pennsylvania, and died in Stark County, Ohio. His wife was born in Germany. The one child who has blessed the home of Mr. and Mrs. Van Tilburg is a son, William Henry. Mr. Van Tilburg was formerly connected with the Methodist Episcopal Church. He is a man of sterling integrity, and a true American citizen.