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BELGIANS IN AMERICA:    Biographies of Belgian settlers  

Joseph VANDERPOORTEN, Treasurer of Iroquois County, and one of the earliest Iroquois settlers of Chebanse Township, was born in Dendermonde, in the province of Flanders, Belgium, on the 16th of February, 1828, and is a son of John and Philippine (Heyvaert) Vanderpoorten, both of whom came of old Flemish families. Joseph was reared on a farm and was educated partially in select schools and at the college of the Holy Virgin in Dendermonde. His mother died in November, 1853, and in 1855 he emigrated from Flanders to America, making his first home in this country in Lewis County, N. Y., where he purchased a farm of eighty acres. Finding the land there too hilly and rough to suit him, he sold out and came to Iroquois County, Ill, the following year. He arrived in April, 1856, and settled in the town of Chebanse, where he bought an eighty acre tract of land. By subsequent purchase he has increased his acreage until he now has a fine farm of two hundred and forty acres of valuable land, well improved, on which he erected in 1877 a commodious and comfortable residence. His farm is situated about eighteen miles northwest of Watseka, and four miles east of Clifton, his nearest trading place.

On the 15th of January, 1861, Mr. Vanderpoorten was married in L'Erable to Miss Aurelia Bunker. The lady was born in the town of Chambly, on the Sorel River in the Province of Quebec, Canada, April 12, 1840, and is a daughter of Moses and Martine (Blaine) Bunker. Her father was born in the United States and her mother was a French-Canadian. She came with her parents to the United States in 1856, and located near Tipton, Cedar County, Iowa, and in Iroquois County in September, 1859. Nine children have been born unto Mr. and Mrs. Vanderpoorten, five of whom are yet living: Emily, the eldest, wife of Ferdinand Rivard, died July 15, 1891; Delphine is the wife of Joseph Dutour, and resides on the old home farm in Chebanse Township; Eugene C. married Jennie Franklin, of Chebanse, and resides in Watseka, holding the position of Deputy County Treasurer; Walter O. resides on the home farm with his sister; Norbert J. and Stephen I. are students in the Watseka schools. Edwin, Emma and Addie, all died in infancy.

Mr. Vanderpoorten and his family are members of the Roman Catholic Church. In politics, he is a Democrat and has held various offices of honor and trust. He served as Commissioner of Highways in his township and was School Director for twenty-four years successively. In the fall of 1890, he was elected on the Democratic ticket to the position he now holds, that of County Treasurer, and entered upon the duties of the office on the 1st of December following. Mr. Vanderpoorten makes an excellent officer, is prompt, correct and courteous, and is ably assisted by his son in the duties of the office. He came to this country in very moderate circumstances, but by industry, integrity and frugality has acquired a valuable property and, what is still more to be prized, a good name among his neighbors and fellow-citizens who have known him so many years. His father came to America the year following his son's arrival here and brought with him his daughter Rosalia. They made their home in Chebanse Township, where the father died in the latter part of August, 1859. The sister became the wife of Francis Cnudde, who died a few years later. In due time she married again, her second husband being Anton Clements, and her death occurred in September, 1890.
 

Joseph Vander Poorten, farmer, Clifton, was born in the province of Flanders, Belgium, February 16, 1828. He was reared on a farm, and received a good common-school education. At the age of twenty-seven he emigrated to America, residing one year in Lewis county,
New York, and in April, 1856. he came to this township. He purchased 80 acres of land, and has since added 120 more, and in 1877 he built himself a very commodious end comfortable residence, where he still resides. He was married in L'Erable. January 15, 1861, to Miss Auralia Bunker, who was born in Chambly, on the Sorel river , Canada. April 12, 1840. They have been made the happy pare s of nine interesting children, six living: Emily, Delphine, Eugene, Walter, Norbert, and Stephen; the deceased were: Emma, Edwin and Addie. Mr.
Vander Poorten has held the position of commissioner of highways, and been school director ever since 1864. By perseverance, industry and hard labor, he has had the satisfaction of accumulating a a nice property. He embrace the Catholic faith; and in politics votes for the man who, in is opinion is the ablest and most desirable.
Source : Beckwith, H. W. : History of Iroquois County : together with Historic notes on the Northwest, gleaned from early authors, old maps and manuscripts, private and official correspondence, and other authentic, though, for the most part, out-of-the-way sources; Chicago: H.H. Hill and Co., 1880, c1879, 1219 pgs.