Bevel Vanvelzer, P.O. Postville,
farmer, sec. 16; makes a specialty of lime burning,
stone quarrying, &c., having a splendid quarry on
his farm of the best quality of stone. He was born in
Syracuse, N.Y., in 1817, his early life being
employed in the salt works there, and on the Erie
Canal. His parents came to Kane Co., Ill., in 1834,
he following in 1835, stopping with a sister who
lived in Chicago, where he made his home several
years; returned to N.Y. in 1840; was married to Miss
P. Smith, March 9, 1845. She was a native of Canada.
They commenced living in Queenstown, Canada, in 1849,
remaining there two years; then came to Chicago,
remaining there a short time; then went to Laporte,
Ind.; thence to West Union, Iowa. He soon returned to
Chicago. His wife died in 1853, after which he
returned to N.Y., and was again married to Catharine
Brougham, November 14, 1854. He returned to Iowa,
going to West Union and engaged in the hotel
business, which he subsequently traded for a farm,
which he finally lost. Mr. V. has had quite a
checkered life of fortune and misfortune, has been
engaged in the hotel business at McGregor, Prairie du
Chien, and the Four-Mile House, this side of
McGregor, also farming near Monona and Howard
counties, also in Clayton Co., near Postville. He
moved to his present farm in 1869, and now owns 130
acres valued at $35 per acre. He has a fine orchard;
also a beautiful spring near his dwelling, which is a
fine new structure, taking the place of the one that
was burned two years ago. Mr. V.'s children by his
first wife are W. Otis, Francis M., John H., Mary A.,
also Almira A. and America A.; the last two deceased.
Those by his second wife are Bartoe, Arma, Jennie,
Lavenia, Bevel, and Katie; two being deceased. pg 543
