Biography - George VanSandt
George W. VanSANDT, carpenter and joiner, Harvel, was born in Fleming County, Ky., December 14, 1817, where he received a common school education, and where his childhood days were spent upon the old homestead farm with his father. During the winter season, his time was employed in working at and learning the millwright and carpenter's trade, and at which he still followed when, at the age of twenty-one years, he left his home and entered upon his career in life. He remained in his native State until he was forty-five years of age, when his politics as a Whig did not make it pleasant for him at the breaking-out of the war, and, not being willing to take the oath to not oppose the Confederacy, he removed to Aberdeed, Ohio, where he remained two years, and then came to Montgomery County, Ill., and located in Butler Township, and there worked at his trade for about five years. In January, 1870, he removed to Harvel, his present residence, which was then just laid out and was surrounded by wild prairie. He built the first house which was erected at Harvel, and has also built many others, several of which belonged to him, which he rented to others. To him is due much of the credit for making Harvel the prosperous town it now is. For one year he was engaged in the mercantile business, but eventually returned to his trade. He was married in Lewis County, Ky., July 2, 1840, to Miss Isabella A. COOPER, who was born March 15, 1819, to Murdock and Elizabeth (PARKER) COOPER, natives of Kentucky. She died January 2, 1875, leaving five children, viz., Allen Jerome, George B., Eliza Bell, James C. and Nelson M. Mr. VanSANDT was married again in Montgomery County Ill., January 1, 1878, to Miss Mary A. B., who was born in Buffalo, N. Y., in March, 1842; she has borne him one child, Hattie. Mr. VanSANDT has been an active member of the Masonic order for about thirty years. Politically, he is identified with the Republican party. Religiously, he and wife are connected with the Methodist Church at Harvel. His father, William VanSANDT, was born in Kentucky in 1794; during his life, followed the occupation of a millwright and farmer. He lived to the advanced age of eighty-four years. His wife, and mother of our subject, was Margaret WILLIAMS; she was also a native of Kentucky, and lived to be about sixty years of age, and raised a family of nine children, all of whom grew to man and womanhood.
Extracted 20 Nov 2016 by Norma Hass from 1882 History of Bond and Montgomery Counties, Illinois, Part 2 Biographical Department, pages 255-256.
