Vaniman, George

PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD
MACOUPIN COUNTY ILLINOIS - 1891

Chicago: Biographical Publishing Company


Page 581

GEORGE VANIMAN. Broad minded and intelligent men who can take a just view of the possibilities of their section of country, and who are intelligent enough to work from the outset for those principles which will tend to the ultimate prosperity of the State, are of great value in any community. Such men are public spirited enough to lay aside petty differences and be willing to adjust matters upon a sound basis which will be for the good of all, and they thus work most effectively for the benefit of the section of country in which they make their homes.

Such a man is George Vaniman, who resides on section 16, Virden Township, the son of Jacob Vaniman, a Pennsylvanian, and Mary Bowman, a native of Ohio. These parents settled in Montgomery County, Ohio, and it became their home through life. They carefully brought up and educated to the best of their ability the nine children who were granted to them, and the fourth among that number was our subject, who was born October 18, 1832, in Montgomery County, Ohio. There he was reared to a sturdy and efficient manhood, and there he continued to live until the spring of 1866, when he came to this county and purchased three hundred and twenty acres of rich and fertile soil, situated in Girard and Virden Townships. His life training and life work have been upon the farm with the exception of about three or four years, when he was engaged in milling in Montgomery County, Ohio. With general farming he has also devoted himself largely to stock raising.

The happy marriage of George Vaniman and Louisa Decker, was celebrated in Goshen, Ind., early in the summer of 1864. The bride is a daughter of Samuel and Catherine (Alwine) Decker, who made their home in Elkhart County, Ind., and there spent their later years. Their daughter, Louisa was born near Johnstown, Pa., April 26, 1843.

After Mr. and Mrs. Vaniman lived upon the old home farm in Montgomery County, Ohio, until 1866, when they came to Macoupin County. Upon their beautiful farm they have an excellent set of farm buildings, most of which Mr. Vaniman has placed there. These are not only pleasing to the eye, but most conveniently arranged and well adapted to the purposes for which they are intended. The house is an attractive one, the barns are first class, and the smaller buildings are snug and comfortable.

Four sturdy sons have come to Mr. and Mrs. Vaniman, whom they have trained carefully through their childhood years, and upon whom they may well hope to lean when they have to go down the shady side of life. They are: Chester C., Elmer E., Calvin and Vernon. Chester C. is a teacher of music in Indiana, where he is making his mark among the young professional men of that day; Elmer is still a student, and a bright and capable one, in McPherson College at McPherson, Kan.; Calvin and Vernon are still at home under the parental roof, and are carrying on their education in the local schools. The office of Highway Commissioner is one which Mr. Vaniman has filled well and acceptably, and much to the gratification of his neighbors. Perhaps few men have more fully the solid endorsement of their fellow citizens than this able and public spirited man.


1891 Index


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