D. Van Gorder

As printed in 1894

D. VAN GORDER, of Winona, is the owner of extensive stone-quarries along the Mississippi, and takes large contracts for furnishing stone for river improvements. He is a man of excellent business ability, and his diligence, enterprise and good management have brought him a success of which he is well deserving. Mr. Van Gorder was born on the 4th of November, 1837, in Chemung County, N. Y., and is a son of Jonathan and Elizabeth (Westbrook) Van Gorder. The grandfather, Jeremiah Van Gorder, was one of three brothers who emigrated from Amsterdam, Holland, to America long before the Revolution. He settled in New Jersey', and when the Colonies tried to throw off their yoke of British tyranny, he joined the Colonial array and served with distinction as an officer of the Revolution. He died some years after independence had been achieved, from the effect of wounds received in battle.

Jonathan N. Van Gorder was born in Sussex County, N. J., in 1785, and when nineteen years of age removed to New York, with a colony locating in Chemung County, where he spent his reraaining d.aj's. He was a shoemaker by trade, and followed that occupation in early life, but later bought a sawmill and engaged in the lumber business for many years. After retiring from active business life, he came to Winona and spent his last years with his son, S. D., in whose home he passed away in 1864, at the age of seventy-nine. He was for years one of the leading citizens of Chemung County, public spirited and progressive. Mr. Van Gorder married Miss Elizahi-th Westbrook, daughter of Hon. James Westbrook, who served as a member of the Legislature in 1812, at which time the slaves were set free in New York. He was one of the most prominent and influential citizens of the ?]empire State, and his name was Inseparably connected with its early history. His father, May. Lowell Westrbrook, won his title while serving in the Revolutionary army, under Washington. He was a member of the State Senate of New York while his son was serving in the House, in 1812. Mrs. Van Gorder died in 18.59. In her family were ten children.

At a very early age S. 1). Wan Gorder started out in life for himself, and when a youth of fifteen he was captain and owner of a boat on the Erie Canal. At the age of sixteen he became Postmaster in the village where he then lived, and was recognized throughout the community as a young man of much promise and ability. Industry and enterprise have been numliered among his chief characteristics through life and have been important factors in his success.

In June, 1856, when eighteen years of age, Mr. Van Gorder emigrated westward and cast in his lot with the early settlers of Winona, where he has made his home almost continuously since. He has been connected with many of its leading industries and business interests. He helped to build the stone road to Sugar Loaf and was later one of the promoters of a sash, door and blind factory, establishing the enterprise in company with Messrs. Simpson and Evans. He then embarked in the sawmill business with L. C. Porter, and this partnership continued for four years, after which he engaged in contracting for the construction of railroads. In 1861 he established a lumber-ard, which he conducted three years and then sold out. He then entered the employ of the railroad company as superintendent of the timber and lumber department, receiving for his services $200 per month and expenses. After a year and a-half he was taken ill with typhoid fever and for six months was unable to do any work. He then secured a charter for a ferry-boat across the Mississippi, which he ran until 1880, and then sold to the city. During that time he also owned a steamer.

[This passage is too damaged in the scanned book to reproduce. See the original book.]

Mr. Van Gorder exercises his right of franchise in support of the Democratic party. In early life he took an active part in politics, but does not do so at present. In 1887 he was elected Chief of Police for a two-years term and in 1 880 was re-elected, serving in all for four years. Since 1864 he has been a member of the Masonic fraternity, and now belongs to Winona Lodge No. 18, A. F. & A. M.; Winona Chapter No. 5, R. A. M.; and Coeur de Leon Commandery No. 3, K. T.

Henry S. Cox.

As printed in Portrait and biographical record of Winona county, Minnesota. Containing biographical sketches of prominent ... citizens .. (1894). See the original pages. Wording is the original; obvious scanning errors have been corrected, and a few may remain.