Copyright USGenNet Inc., 2012, All Rights Reserved U.S. Data Repository Please read U.S. Data Repository Copyright Statement on this page: Transcribed and submitted by Karen D. Foster for the US Data Repository http://www.us-data.org/ ========================================================================== U.S. Data Repository NOTICE: These electronic pages may NOT be reproduced in any format for profit or presentation by any other organization. Non-commercial organizations desiring to use this material must obtain the consent of the transcriber prior to use. Individuals desiring to use this material in their own research may do so. ========================================================================== Formatted by U.S. Data Repository Chief Archivist, Linda Talbott All of the above information must remain when copied or downloaded. ========================================================================== SOURCE: History of Genesee County, Michigan pub. Everts and Abbott - 1879 Page facing 156 JAMES VAN VLEET Among the emigrants who flocked to this country in its early days to assist in developing the wondrous wealth of its resources, and to found the best and greatest government of the age, was a family of Hollanders, bearing the name of Van Vleet, who settled in the State of New Jersey. Among the descendants of this family was Jared Van Vleet, who was born on the second day of March, 1790, and at the age of four years removed with his father's family to the then wilderness of Western New York, locating in Seneca County. His father bought of the government a farm in the town of Lodi, and settled there, experiencing the hardships usually incidental to a pioneer life. For four months the family lived under a wagon box. This farm he improved, and it furnished him with a comfortable home until, at a ripe old age, he was taken to become one of the innumerable concourse of the dead. Jared married Dolly Swarthout, and soon after purchased a farm in the town of Romulus, on which he resided until a few years previous to his death, which occurred Nov. 23, 1876. On this farm James was born, July 28, 1819, and grew to manhood, varying his summer's work on the farm with the winter's attendance upon the public schools. Sept. 30, 1841, he was married to Miss Mary Ann Cooley, daughter of Justus and Elizabeth (Archer) Cooley, who was born at Blooming Grove, Orange Co., N. Y , May 1, 1822. For the two years succeeding his marriage he worked land on shares, but becoming dissatisfied with that mode of life, resolved to commence anew in some part of the country where land could be bought at low rates. In pursuance of this resolution he, in the winter of 1843-44, traded what little property he had been able to accumulate for eighty acres of land in the town of Gaines, in this county. In the following spring he came on to view his new possessions, and was not very favorably impressed with the appearance of things. The land was wild and covered with dense timber, through which no roads had yet been cut; but his resolution was not changed, and in June he, with his wife and one child, left his former home, and traveling by way of the canal and lake, landed in Detroit on the second day of July, 1844. From Detroit to their new home the journey was made by team, and as soon as possible a log house was built, into which they moved while it was yet unfurnished with either floor, door, or windows. The lack of a door was supplied by hanging a blanket across the doorway. At this time they found themselves without either stock, provisions, team, farming utensils of any kind, and with but twenty-five cents in money. But it being harvest time there was plenty of work, and the lack of provisions was speedily supplied. To add to the hardships of their situation, in October Mrs. Van Vleet was taken sick, and, on account of a scarcity of female help, her husband was obliged to cut a road through the woods and remove her in a sleigh to the house of a neighbor, a mile and a half away, in order that she might have the care and attention of one of her own sex during her illness, which lasted until the following February. For five years Mr. Van Vleet worked for others before he was able to get land enough cleared to enable him to depend upon his own farm for his living. During that time life was anything but a holiday, and they were called upon to endure many privations and face many dangers. Mrs. Van Vleet sold a gold ring she had for one dollar and fifty cents, and with the money thus procured bought a hat and two pairs of pants for her husband. She says they were perfectly happy, having no plate, jewelry, fine clothes, or money to worry about. Three years after coming here, Mr. Van Vleet had succeeded in getting three cows and an ox-team, and thought himself on the highway to success, but one ox and all of the cows died, and their loss was seriously felt. Still he persevered, and in 1850 began to see signs of progress, and felt the current of the incoming tide of prosperity which has placed him in independent circumstances. The farm of eighty acres had, at the time of his removing from it, increased to three hundred and twenty acres, mostly improved, and beautified by one of the finest farm residences in the county. Formerly a member of the Democratic party, James Van Vleet left it at the time of the Kansas troubles, and upon the organization of the Republican party joined and has since belonged to that political organization. He held many town offices; among them school inspector twelve years, justice of the peace sixteen years, and supervisor eighteen years. Elected to the latter office first in 1847, he left it in 1868 to accept the office of county treasurer, the duties of which office he discharged for seven years, the last three as deputy treasurer. In 1864 and again in 1866 he was chosen by his fellow-citizens to represent the first district of the county in the State Legislature. Jan. 1, 1869, he left the farm, and has since resided in the city of Flint, where he has been called upon to serve as supervisor of the Third Ward for four years. He is now (in company with his son Jared) engaged in the real-estate and insurance business. His children are as follows: Albert B., born Oct. 9, 1842, married Edna Brainard, and is now living upon the farm; Ann E., born Oct. 31, 1844, married William H. Fairchild; Jared, born Oct. 2, 1848, married Agnes J. Gibson; and John C., born Feb. 25, 1852. Mr. Van Vleet is one of the substantial citizens of the county; he bears an unblemished reputation and a character of unimpeachable integrity. In all positions he has been called to fill he has acquitted himself with honor, and to the perfect satisfaction of his constituents. His life is alike honorable to himself and an example to the young, who should strive to emulate the sterling virtues it has exemplified. ==========================================================================