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| Alonzo VanGilder, farmer, sec 6, Big Rapids, was born Feb. 24 1824, in Onondaga Co., N.Y., and is the third son of Ransom and Azuba (Vantassel) Vangilder, the former a native of Vermont. Mr. VanGilder left his native State and settled in Wisconsin in 1846, and resided in that State principally until 1865. He was married at Foud du Lac, Wis., Oct 22 1854, to Maria Williams, who was born Jan 16 1926, in Onondaga Co., N.Y. In August, 1865, Mr. VanGilder came to Mecosta Co., Mich. and settled in the township of Big Rapids, where he now owns 100 acres of land with 40 acres in tillage, 20 acres cleared for pasturage and 40 acres of good timbered land. Mr. and Mrs. Vangilder have had four daughters and two sons; Hannah M., Annis R., Mary E., James R., (died in February, 1881), Clara L. and Grant. Mr. Vangilder enlisted in the war of the rebellion Aug. 31 1864, enrolling in Co. A, 38th Wis. Vol. Inf., on what was known as the "one-year call." Mr. V. was honorably discharged June 2 1865, the war being practically ended. He is a Republican in politics. Contributors Comment: My grandmother told us her grandfather started this cemetery when his parents died while living with them. We were also told that Hannah VanGilder was one of the first school teachers in Mecosta Co. |