John VAN GUNDY [Parents] was born in 1830 in Morgan Co, IL. He died on 4 Jul 1905 in Decatur, Macon Co, IL. He was buried in Greenwood Cem, Decatur, Macon Co, IL. He married Martha (VAN GUNDY) in 1905.
Other marriages:SCOBEY, Sarah Ann
Our lineage continues with John. History records said he was a prominent and well known citizen. By the standards of the day, John and his family definitely lived a comfortable life.
Residences and events:
1830 Scott Co, IL. He owned a large tract of land of at least 300 acres.
1850 Naples, Scott Co, IL. John had property = $6000/1000 and was a farmer in the census. A Joseph Schultz, farm hand from Germany, was living with them and next door was the Henry Vannier family, related through nieces and nephews who married Vanniers.
3/15/1855 He bought several pieces of land at Naples at auction.
1860 Naples P.O., Scott Co, IL. At census time, he reported his property value the same as in 1850, $6000/1000 and Henry Vannier was still next door. Living in the same township was John's father.
10/11/1869 John and Sarah donated land near Naples to be used for a school with the provision that the property reverted back to them if the school ever vacated the premises. Also in the deed were instructions to school trustees to build a "good substantial Board
fence around said ground."1870 Scott Co, IL. His property now = $8670/1980, Henry was still there next door.
11/13/1873 For $50 John sold all the downed and/or dead standing timber on a 2 acre plot to a Marshall Smith.
1873 Macon Co, IL, Milam Twp, near Decatur. In preparation for moving east with his siblings, John bought 238 1/2 acres in S31 T15N R3E, the same section as brother-in-law, Ellery Merris. However, John and his family did not move there for another couple of years.
1/18/1875 Scott Co, IL, was still their address when they sold 289 acres to Herman Vannier. They probably moved to Macon Co either the past fall or the following spring. The Vannier family passed this same land to descendants of John's brother, Adam, whose later generations still owned it in 1996.
1878 Milam Twp, Macon Co, IL. John was elected County Supervisor, re-elected in 1879. He was a farmer along with his political interests.
1896 1357 N Water St, Decatur, IL. Upon retirement, he moved to the city. The county history later said he "has since lived a retired life save that he has some financial interests and is now the vice president of the Macon County Telephone Company."
3/23/1897 Moultrie Co, IL. John bought county property by warranty deed from son, DW and Laura B, at S22 T14 R5. Perhaps he intended to move nearer the children but never did. It was probably the same land DW got back by warranty deed for $1 on 8/7/1905, about the time John died, being located at the same S22 T14 R5.
1899 Decatur, IL. When the telephone company was reorganized, John was again appointed vice president.
He and D B Folrath were owners of the first Rambler cars in Macon Co.
Until at least 1952, there was a Merris-Van Gundy reunion held in Decatur, IL, at Fairview Park on the 3rd Sunday of August for his descendants and those of sister, Nancy Merris.
John's sons, Elmer and John, were co-administrators of his estate.
Cemetery records have the name as Van Grundy. The grave site is located in Lot 3 Blk 12 and son, Elmer, and his wife, Ida, are buried beside John and Sarah.
Martha (VAN GUNDY) died in Decatur, Macon Co, IL. She was buried in Greenwood Cem, Decatur, Macon Co, IL. She married John VAN GUNDY in 1905.
Following John's death, she continued to live in the house on Water St
until she died, having her funeral there.Her funeral was held at 10:30 on a Wednesday morning from her
residence at 1357 N Water in Decatur, IL, by Rev F W Burnham, of
Central Church of Christ. No date was given. Pallbearers were all
unknown gentlemen.Her obituary mentioned the flowers: "The floral offerings were
splendid. They did not excel so much in number as in beauty and
variety of design."
John SCOBEY [Parents] was born about 1799. He died after 1850. He married Mary A(nn) Starr on 29 Aug 1823 in Monroe Co, IL.
Other marriages:Dyer, Amanda
Residences & events:
1820 Monroe Co, IL, was where the census taker found his family, the only Scobys in the county. There was a James Scoby in Crawford Co at the same time..
1830 Morgan Co, IL. At census time there were living in John's house 2 males 30-40, 3 males under 5, 1 female 20-30, and 1 female under 5, and next door was David Van Gundy.
10/4/1848 Scott Co, IL. John was a witness to the sale of land by Michael & Fredrick Collins to the IL College.
7/6/1850 Naples, Scott Co, IL. He and Amanda sold a tract in Blk 11 to James M Ring. Ring defaulted and on 9/1851 John bought the plot back as the highest bidder at public auction.
His wife is listed as head of the house in the 1850 census.
Mary A(nn) Starr was born in 1807 in DE. She died after 1870. She married John SCOBEY on 29 Aug 1823 in Monroe Co, IL.
Residences & events:
2/24/1845 Scott Co, IL. Mary Ann, as a resident of Scott Co, IL, bought 40 acres at a Federal Land Sale for $1.25/acre. The land was located at S20 T15N R12W in Scott Co.
1850 Manchester Twp, Scott Co, IL. In the census she was listed as head of the house with children, Elizabeth, James, Sarah, John, George, and Eliza at home. Her property = $600.
1860 She was not listed in the census that year nor were any of the children except James and George, who were living together.
1870 She was back for the census again as head of the house with property valued at $1800/700. Son, George, and his family lived with her.
Her birth date is probably incorrect as it would make her only 13 at the time of her marriage.
They had the following children:
M i William SCOBEY was born in 1828. F ii Elizabeth Jane SCOBEY was born in 1828. M iii James A SCOBEY was born in 1830. He died in 1865/1870. F iv Sarah Ann SCOBEY was born in 1831. She died on 19 Apr 1904. M v John M\H SCOBEY was born in 1833. M vi Urban SCOBEY was born in 1835 in IL.
He was listed as a farmer living with the Eli Williams family in the 1850 census.M vii Wilbourn SCOBEY was born in 1835. F viii Mary Ann SCOBEY was born about 1837. F ix Elizabeth Ann SCOBEY was born about 1836. M x George SCOBEY was born in 1838. F xi Eliza C SCOBEY was born in 1839.
James Douglas VAN GUNDY [Parents] was born on 22 Sep 1856 in Exeter, Scott Co, IL. He died on 13 Feb 1957 in Long Beach, CA, at home. He was buried on 16 Feb 1957 in Angeles Abbey Mausoleum, Compton, CA. He married Frances E "Fanny" COWLE on 2 Feb 1882 in Shelby Co, IL.
A biography said of James: "the subject of this review has a wide
acquaintance and the esteem of all with whom he has been brought in
contact. In politics he has always been a Democrat, but has never
sought or desired office, preferring to devote his time and energies
to his busienss affairs, in which he has met with creditable success."Residences and events in his life:
Scott Co, IL. Again from his biography: "At the usual age James D.
Van Gundy began his education as a student in the public schools of
his native county and when he had mastered the branches of learning
therein taught he put aside his text books and turned his attention to
agricultural pursuits in Scott county."1873 Macon Co, IL. When his parents moved east, he went with them.
1882 Shelby Co, IL. He married there and stayed to farm for a about
1 yr.1883 Moweaqua, IL. The next year James was engaged in the
manufacture of tile.1884 Kansas. Moving west, he returned to farming but finding life
too hard there, fighting locusts, etc, he stayed only about 1 year
before moving back home.1885 Milam Twp, Macon Co, IL. He purchased a tract of land in sec 13
and "with characteristic energy he began its cultivation and
development and continued there to engage in general farming until
1903."1903 995 W Marietta, Decatur, Macon Co, IL. James retired to town
but retained 200 acres of "valuable land" which he rented out for a
"good" income.1909-1910 Louisiana
1910 Decatur, Macon Co, IL. He moved back home again for reasons not
known.1919 Long Beach, CA. His wife always wanted to live in CA and
finally convinced Jim to move there. After his wife died, he came out
of retirement to work for the City of Long Beach in the Park Dept.
His daughter also worked for the city at that time. Jame's obituary
said he was "wharfinger on the old Pine Ave. Pier and then Belmont
Pier."1941 Los Angeles, or Long Beach, CA (depending on which newspaper
article cited) was his address when his brother, DW, died. When he
died his address was 2060 Cedar Ave, Long Beach and probably was Long
Beach all along.James' nephew, George Hoewing, was administrator of his estate.
Virtually everything he owned went to his daughter after his son died.
She still retained his land in Illinois as of 1994.Patterson and Snively Chapel was the location of his funeral which was
held on a Saturday at 1 PM with James C Gordon officiating.
Frances E "Fanny" COWLE was born on 12 Sep 1853 in Madison Co, IL. She died on 2 Feb 1926 in Long Beach, CA. She was buried in Angeles Abbey Mausoleum, Compton, CA. She married James Douglas VAN GUNDY on 2 Feb 1882 in Shelby Co, IL.
They had the following children:
M i Charles Earl VAN GUNDY was born on 9 Nov 1883/1885. F ii Florence Lillian VAN GUNDY was born on 13 Aug 1896 in Macon Co, IL.
Florence never married.
1919 Long Beach, CA. She moved with her parents and her brother's
family.
She was a Registered Nurse and at one time was head of nursing in a
major hospital in CA. Later, she worked for the City of Long Beach,
as did her father.
1993 Address: 3511 Elm Ave, Apt 211 Long Beach, CA, 90807
Elmer Henry VAN GUNDY [Parents] was born on 8 Oct 1864 in Scott Co, IL. He died on 5 Jan 1957 in Macon Co, IL. He was buried in Greenwood Cem, Decatur, Macon Co, IL. He married Ida Carrie (VAN GUNDY).
Other marriages:(VAN GUNDY), Ada
Some family members said he had 2-3 other wives besides those listed here but to date no others have been verified.
There was a Mrs. E Van Gundy of Opdyke, IL, who made and paid for funeral arrangements for a Carl N Stickle at the Brentlinger Funeral Home in Decatur on 12/19/1926. Whether it was one of Elmer's wives or whether Elmer ever lived there is unknown.
Residences & events in Elmer's life:
1908 He and his brother, John, attended the funeral of their Uncle Adam Van Gundy in Bluffs, IL.
1913-1914 Moultrie Co, IL. Elmer bought several pieces of land, some from a sheriff's sale and one plot by quit claim deed from his brother and sister-in-law, DW and Laura, for $1.00.
10/1917 He sued brother, DW, and his wife for $2182.66 and won. Details were not provided but it seems he may have loaned them the money to buy land from her brother, Chenny Neaves, but neither paid for the land in full nor reimbursed Elmer for the loan.
3/1941 Miami, FL. He and brother, John, were living there when DW died.
1941 Topeka, KS. His tenure there is not known.
127 N Woodlawn, Decatur, IL. A photo of his wife appeared in the newspaper with the caption: "Mr and Mrs E.H. Van Gundy left a week ago to pass Christmas in Brownsville, Tex, with their dauther, Mrs. Neil Allen. They will then go to Long Beach, Cal, for the rest of the winter." They probably either stayed with or near his brother, James, who lived there.
Decatur, IL, was his residence at the time of his death.
His death was the result of an auto accident which occurred as he and
his driver were enroute to play the stock market, as was his daily
morning routine, when another driver ran a stop light, hitting them
broadside.He left over $1 million in his estate, including 250,000 acres in
Florida. He owned 2 homes, one in FL and one in Decatur, IL. The
estate was split among 64 living relatives but the McCaleb branch
wanted to keep the family farm intact, so they bought out other family
members at $1000 each.His nephew, Clarence W Van Gundy, was administrator of his estate.
Elmer and his first wife were buried with his parents.
Ida Carrie (VAN GUNDY) was born in 1862. She died on 14 Mar 1898 in Macon Co, IL. She was buried in Greenwood Cem, Decatur, Macon Co, IL. She married Elmer Henry VAN GUNDY.
She was buried with Elmer and his parents.
Elmer Henry VAN GUNDY [Parents] was born on 8 Oct 1864 in Scott Co, IL. He died on 5 Jan 1957 in Macon Co, IL. He was buried in Greenwood Cem, Decatur, Macon Co, IL. He married Ada (VAN GUNDY).
Other marriages:(VAN GUNDY), Ida Carrie
Some family members said he had 2-3 other wives besides those listed here but to date no others have been verified.
There was a Mrs. E Van Gundy of Opdyke, IL, who made and paid for funeral arrangements for a Carl N Stickle at the Brentlinger Funeral Home in Decatur on 12/19/1926. Whether it was one of Elmer's wives or whether Elmer ever lived there is unknown.
Residences & events in Elmer's life:
1908 He and his brother, John, attended the funeral of their Uncle Adam Van Gundy in Bluffs, IL.
1913-1914 Moultrie Co, IL. Elmer bought several pieces of land, some from a sheriff's sale and one plot by quit claim deed from his brother and sister-in-law, DW and Laura, for $1.00.
10/1917 He sued brother, DW, and his wife for $2182.66 and won. Details were not provided but it seems he may have loaned them the money to buy land from her brother, Chenny Neaves, but neither paid for the land in full nor reimbursed Elmer for the loan.
3/1941 Miami, FL. He and brother, John, were living there when DW died.
1941 Topeka, KS. His tenure there is not known.
127 N Woodlawn, Decatur, IL. A photo of his wife appeared in the newspaper with the caption: "Mr and Mrs E.H. Van Gundy left a week ago to pass Christmas in Brownsville, Tex, with their dauther, Mrs. Neil Allen. They will then go to Long Beach, Cal, for the rest of the winter." They probably either stayed with or near his brother, James, who lived there.
Decatur, IL, was his residence at the time of his death.
His death was the result of an auto accident which occurred as he and
his driver were enroute to play the stock market, as was his daily
morning routine, when another driver ran a stop light, hitting them
broadside.He left over $1 million in his estate, including 250,000 acres in
Florida. He owned 2 homes, one in FL and one in Decatur, IL. The
estate was split among 64 living relatives but the McCaleb branch
wanted to keep the family farm intact, so they bought out other family
members at $1000 each.His nephew, Clarence W Van Gundy, was administrator of his estate.
Elmer and his first wife were buried with his parents.
Ada (VAN GUNDY).Ada married Elmer Henry VAN GUNDY.
They had the following children:
F i Female VAN GUNDY.
John Frederick "Freddy" VAN GUNDY [Parents] was born on 4 Apr 1863 in Scott Co, IL. He died on 2 Nov 1949 in Sarasota, FL. He was buried on 6 Nov 1949 in Macon Co Memorial Park, Macon Co, IL. He married Ida WOODS on 30 Jul 1883 in Winchester, Scott Co, IL.
Other marriages:WALKER, Clara L
(Van Gundy), Marge
Residences and events:
1870 Macon Co, IL. At age 7, he was not mentioned in the census with his parents' family but perhaps it was due to a transcription error.
Decatur, Macon Co, IL.
John owned grain elevators at Macon and Walker, IL. In the county atlas of 1896 was the following business advertisement:
J. F. VANGUNDY
Dealer inGRAIN COAL
MEAL FEEDMacon, Illinois
1908 He and his wife, along with brother, Elmer, attended the funeral of Uncle Adam Van Gundy at Bluffs, IL.
1918 MO where son, John, was born. His residence and business there is unknown.
Mid 1918 Decatur, Macon Co, IL. Son, Everett, wrote a letter to his mother there in which he said he was glad his sisters liked their new home.
12/1941 Miami, FL, was his residence when brother, DW, died. Brother, Elmer, also resided there at that time. Apparently John traveled between Decatur and Florida as his obituary said he lived in Decatur both before and after his retirement, then moved to Venice.
1945 Venice, FL, was his retirement home.
The funeral was held at Dawson & Wikoff Funeral Home in Macon, IL, with Rev Laren Spear officiating.
Ida WOODS.Ida married John Frederick "Freddy" VAN GUNDY on 30 Jul 1883 in Winchester, Scott Co, IL.
John Frederick "Freddy" VAN GUNDY [Parents] was born on 4 Apr 1863 in Scott Co, IL. He died on 2 Nov 1949 in Sarasota, FL. He was buried on 6 Nov 1949 in Macon Co Memorial Park, Macon Co, IL. He married Clara L WALKER on 17 Feb 1894 in Macon, Macon Co, IL.
Other marriages:WOODS, Ida
(Van Gundy), Marge
Residences and events:
1870 Macon Co, IL. At age 7, he was not mentioned in the census with his parents' family but perhaps it was due to a transcription error.
Decatur, Macon Co, IL.
John owned grain elevators at Macon and Walker, IL. In the county atlas of 1896 was the following business advertisement:
J. F. VANGUNDY
Dealer inGRAIN COAL
MEAL FEEDMacon, Illinois
1908 He and his wife, along with brother, Elmer, attended the funeral of Uncle Adam Van Gundy at Bluffs, IL.
1918 MO where son, John, was born. His residence and business there is unknown.
Mid 1918 Decatur, Macon Co, IL. Son, Everett, wrote a letter to his mother there in which he said he was glad his sisters liked their new home.
12/1941 Miami, FL, was his residence when brother, DW, died. Brother, Elmer, also resided there at that time. Apparently John traveled between Decatur and Florida as his obituary said he lived in Decatur both before and after his retirement, then moved to Venice.
1945 Venice, FL, was his retirement home.
The funeral was held at Dawson & Wikoff Funeral Home in Macon, IL, with Rev Laren Spear officiating.
Clara L WALKER was born on 31 May 1876. She died on 4 Feb 1938. She was buried in Macon Co Memorial Park, Macon Co, IL. She married John Frederick "Freddy" VAN GUNDY on 17 Feb 1894 in Macon, Macon Co, IL.
Following Clara's death, son, CW, and family moved in with Dad and stayed until the spring of 1939.
They had the following children:
M i Everett O VAN GUNDY was born on 24 Mar 1895. He died on 27 Sep 1944. F ii Mable VAN GUNDY was born on 4 Jun 1898. She died on 1 Jul 1993. M iii Clarence Walker "CW" VAN GUNDY was born on 3 Oct 1900. He died on 6 Jul 1980. F iv Helen VAN GUNDY was born on 17 Dec 1905. She died on 13 Jan 1993. M v Fred VAN GUNDY was born in 1907. He died in 1980. F vi Dorothy VAN GUNDY was born in 1910. She died in 1951. Dorothy resided in 1949.
Apparently Dorothy never married as she is simply called by name in
her father's obituary while the other girls' husbands are mentioned.Residence: Belleville, IL
She also supposedly died of a brain tumor.M vii John Francis "Junior" VAN GUNDY was born on 2 Mar 1918. He died on 5 Apr 1987.
John Frederick "Freddy" VAN GUNDY [Parents] was born on 4 Apr 1863 in Scott Co, IL. He died on 2 Nov 1949 in Sarasota, FL. He was buried on 6 Nov 1949 in Macon Co Memorial Park, Macon Co, IL. He married Marge (Van Gundy) after 1939.
Other marriages:WOODS, Ida
WALKER, Clara L
Residences and events:
1870 Macon Co, IL. At age 7, he was not mentioned in the census with his parents' family but perhaps it was due to a transcription error.
Decatur, Macon Co, IL.
John owned grain elevators at Macon and Walker, IL. In the county atlas of 1896 was the following business advertisement:
J. F. VANGUNDY
Dealer inGRAIN COAL
MEAL FEEDMacon, Illinois
1908 He and his wife, along with brother, Elmer, attended the funeral of Uncle Adam Van Gundy at Bluffs, IL.
1918 MO where son, John, was born. His residence and business there is unknown.
Mid 1918 Decatur, Macon Co, IL. Son, Everett, wrote a letter to his mother there in which he said he was glad his sisters liked their new home.
12/1941 Miami, FL, was his residence when brother, DW, died. Brother, Elmer, also resided there at that time. Apparently John traveled between Decatur and Florida as his obituary said he lived in Decatur both before and after his retirement, then moved to Venice.
1945 Venice, FL, was his retirement home.
The funeral was held at Dawson & Wikoff Funeral Home in Macon, IL, with Rev Laren Spear officiating.
Marge (Van Gundy).Marge married John Frederick "Freddy" VAN GUNDY after 1939.
This lady was John's 3rd wife and probably the reason for the youngest step-son leaving home at age 20 to go to CA, never to communcate with the family again.
Charles "Frank" MCCALEB was born on 5 Nov. He died in Decatur, Macon Co, IL. He married Laura Jane VAN GUNDY on 22 May 1884 in Macon Co, IL, by S H Whitlock, MG.
Residences:
1850 Scott Co, IL. Charles' parents lived next door to David Van
Gundy.1897 Pleasant Hill, Pike Co, IL, where son, John, was born.
1913 Decatur, Macon Co, IL. Their oldest daughter was married there.
Laura Jane VAN GUNDY [Parents] was born on 27 Feb 1858 in Scott Co, IL. She died on 2 Nov 1942. She married Charles "Frank" MCCALEB on 22 May 1884 in Macon Co, IL, by S H Whitlock, MG.
They had the following children:
F i Caddie MCCALEB was born on 12 Mar 1885. She died after 1969. F ii Lilly MCCALEB died in 1956 in Decatur, Macon Co, IL.
Lilly was a teacher and never married.F iii Lena Margaret MCCALEB. F iv Myrta MCCALEB.
Mertle as a teacher.M v John Frank MCCALEB was born on 5 Nov 1897 in Pleasant Hill, IL. He died on 1 Sep 1969 in Decatur, Macon Co, IL. He was buried on 4 Sep 1969 in Fairlawn Cem, Decatur, Macon Co, IL.
Never married. Was disabled, two sisters never married so they could
care for him after parents died.
Funeral services were held at the Dawson & Wikoff Funeral Home in
Decatur, IL, with Rev W Harold Loyd officiating.M vi Charles MCCALEB.
Charles was a farmer near Decatur, IL.
David Jr VAN GUNDY [Parents] was born on 9 Oct 1790 in PA. He died on 1 Sep 1861 in Scott Co, IL. He was buried in McCaleb Cem, Bluffs, Scott Co, IL. He married Mrs Margaret A OHLER on 29 May 1854 in Scott Co, IL, by Charles J Kerner, JP.
Other marriages:COONROD, Mary Ann
David was the originator of the central Illinois branch of Van Gundys. His occupation was miller but he was also listed as a farmer in the census records.
Residences and events in his life:
1791 Somerset Co, PA.
1801-1805 Ross Co, OH. Both of his parents' families, Van Gundys and Wisslers, moved from PA to OH.
1812 S Bloomfield, Pickaway Co, OH. His father bought the grist mill there on the Scioto River, near the bridge.
1820 David was not listed in the Ohio census so he was either still at home, on his way to New Orleans, or had already arrived and was counted down there. His father, living in Harrison Twp, Pickaway Co, OH, at that time, had in his houshold, Ann Denny, a family friend and roundabout relative who apparently never married, and the neighbors were Coonrods.
Abt 1820-1821 David and friend, next door neighbor, David Denny (half brother to Hannah Denny), took a flat-boat load of pork from below Chillicothe, OH, to N Orleans, LA, and never went back. He migrated back up the Mississippi to Madison Co, IL. David Denny became the captain of a river packet and later died in New Orleans of yellow fever.
Abt 1821 Madison Co, IL. He arrived at the "American Bottom" near St Louis where he met Ohio neighbors, the Coonrods, who arrived in 1818. Shortly after, he married their daughter.
11/14/1823 Morgan Co, IL was his residence when he purchased 80 acres in Scott Co, IL, for $80.
The Bluffs, IL, Centenial book recorded his arrival: "Another early settler was David VanGundy who built a home and a mill. The mill was propelled by water furnished by the stream which comes down from Neeleyville-one branch of Wolf Run Creek. Across this stream, quite a distance above the mill, a dam was constructed which collected the water and preserved a supply to furnish the power for the mill."
Another entry tells the story a little differently: "Among these (early settlers) was David VanGundy, father of 'Squire' Adam VanGundy and progenitor of the VanGundy family. He entered 80 acres on Sept.10, 1831, and on this site he built a home and a mill, which was
a useful thing in those days."A family history written by a Vannier descendant states: "Paralee (it was actually Mary Ann, Paralee was Mary Ann's mother) was married to David VanGundy and they settled at the foot of the 'Mills' hill on an eighty acres of land without previously entering it, in 1829, Mr. VanGundy though he was a 'squatter' erected a mill on Killmormocks run and other improvements and had accumilated quite an extensive trade in supplying meal in the surrounding community, until one day along came a man from unknown parts with a title to said eighty acres, which also meant that all improvements were included. it was soon noised around about what a predicament Mr. VanGundy was in and the following evening
a large gathering of the neighbors quietly gathered, loaded up the mill on ox-carts together with all other movable improvements and by day light the next morning Mr. VanGundy lived on his future homestead one half mile east of where Bluffs, Illinois now stands and the mill
was quietly grinding away."The obituary of son, Adam, mentioned the mill as well: "When a boy he (Adam) tended the mill his father owned, and which was erected on the old home place, it being the only mill at that time between Quincy and Springfield, people driving and bringing their wheat as far as 60 miles to have it ground."
The History of Morgan County in an article about the first railroad in Illinois, the Northern Cross, said "the division of the road beginning at the Illinois River, at this place, and extending to Van Gundy's, the first station east of here---about a mile east of where Bluff City now stands was subcontracted....." And again, "The work began at Meredosia, on the Illinois River. There were two passes in the bluff, called Taylor's and Van Gundy's. That by Taylor's was the cheapest and best, but it would not touch several tracts of wild land that belonged to some of the magnates, and it was located up Van Gundy's Run...."
The same history in an article about Neelyville's coal mine says: "When the shaft was first opened quite a number of miners were employed. These men boarded at Van Gundy--a town which was near the present town of Bluff City, in Scott County."
1824 Morgan Co, IL. David voted in the Mauvaisterre Pct along with his in-laws: Adam, George, and William Coonrod.
1830 Morgan Co, IL, no township listed. At census time his household consisted of 1 male 30-40, 3 males under 5, 1 female 30-40, and 2 females 5-10. Living next door was the Scobey family, future in-laws of son, John, and a few doors down was brother-in-law, Adam Coonrod. The George Ohler family lived 2 doors down. Orphaned brother-in-law, Jonas Coonrod, was counted at David's house but according to descendants he was living with his Uncle Adam Coonrod at that time.
9/10/1831 He continued amassing land in Scott Co but still lived in Morgan. On this date he bought another 80 acres at S15 T15N R13W, paying $100.
7/2/1836 and 7/29/1836 He added to his holdings in Scott Co, IL with 2 more plats, each 40 acres and $50 apiece. They were located at S22 T15N R13W and S11 T15N R13W.
1837 There was a country wide financial crash which completely demoralized values. We do not know the financial status of David before or after the crash but as with most settlers, he built his own house, raised his own food, and met his own needs.
4/14/1839 David sold 10 acres to John B. Merris for $50.00.
1840 Winchester, Scott Co, IL, was his address at census time.
11/4/1842 He sold 134 acres to the State Bank of Illinois for $355.00.
3/5/1847 David bought the land of widow, Mary Troy at public auction with dower rights of $192.00/year each year of her natural life.
3/23/1848 He sold 40 acres of Mary Troy's land to his future son-in-law, John Smallwood, with the same dower rights.
1848-1849 George Van Gundy, a nephew and son of brother, Daniel, was sent to live with David following the death of his parents. His father, Daniel, had died in Ohio but the mother moved with the family to Piatt Co, IL, under the care of the oldest son, Charles Wesley, then only 19. She also died shortly thereafter, the children being distributed among family and friends to be raised.
1850 Scott Co, IL, no twp. David had property = $1000 in the census. Living with him were the last 5 children and the orphaned children of Jonas Coonrod: Henry, 17; John, 10; and Sarah, 20; and of course, nephew, George Van Gundy, then 8. His daughter, Mary Smallwood, and her family lived next door while on other side was the Margaret Ohler family. Margaret would later become David's second wife and her daughter would marry son, Adam.
6/17/1851 David sold 134 acres to "Dederich Vautier" (actually Detrick Vannier) for $1850.00. Detrich married David's granddaughter, Ada Van Gundy.
11/22/1853 Scott Co, IL. David bought 40 acres of Federal land at S11 R13W T15N for $1.25/acre. His residence was also Scott Co at that time.
8/24/1854 He bought 40 more acres of public domain land, paying $50 for the property located at S14 T15N R13W.
1860 Naples P.O., Scott Co, IL. His property was valued at $2000/$1500 in the census.
David may not have moved although his place of residence changed from county to county as the borders shifted throughout his lifetime.
A rift must have developed among David's children, Adam vs the rest. They all sold their lands and were gone by 1870. George went to the next county, the rest travelling farther east, landing in various Illinois counties. Adam's family never again spoke of their relatives to later generations.
David spent his last days with his son, George.
The cemetery is a beautiful little plot on the top of a bluff, not visable from anywhere below, surrounded by trees and farm land. It contains mostly family and friends from the area, nearly all names being familiar.
Mrs Margaret A OHLER was born on 14 Aug 1795 in PA. She died on 30 May 1875 in Scott Co, IL. She was buried in McCaleb Cem, Bluffs, Scott Co, IL. She married David Jr VAN GUNDY on 29 May 1854 in Scott Co, IL, by Charles J Kerner, JP.