Compiled by: Deanna West
Several variations on this name were found during this study. They were VanDoosen, VanDuzen, VanDosen, VanDuzen, VanDeusen and Van Dusen or VanDusen.
As of this date, May 5, 2009, I have not been able to link the other Van Dusen families that lived in LaPorte County with this group that lived here for a while and many moved on and settled in
the county next to use, St. Joseph County, Indiana.Eli was the son of Daniel VanDusen (son of Robert) who was born in New York state circa 1808. (and unproven to this author at this time is mother may have been Annie Robbins - who was deceased by the 1850 census) From what I have been able to ascertain, Daniel married Laura Bagley in Decatur Co., IN on 4 Feb 1841 and they may be found in the 1860 census living in Olive Twp, St. Joseph Co., IN. By 1870 they have moved to Galena Township, LaPorte County, IN and in 1880 Daniel and Laura can be found in living in the Three Oaks, Berrien County, Michigan with several of their children living close by.
Logic prevails here and it should be noted that Eli, Elijah and Leander and daughter Martha, plus one other daughter, were probably from the 1st marriage. Daniel died in 1894 and is buried in the same cemetery as Leander and other family members.Eli Van Dusen arrived in LaPorte County sometime between 1850 and 1853, coming with his bride Cynthia Bennet whom he had married in Decatur County, Indiana 17 July 1853.
There may have been relation here in LaPorte County as early as the 1830's.
Eli was born in Indiana in about 1829 (per death record showing he died in Hudson township, this county on 13 February 1917 at the age of 86.)
However, the 1900 census states he was born December of 1830.
His wife Cynthia was born in New York state circa 1835 and died some time before the 1900 census was taken.
Some of Eli's siblings and half siblings were:
2. Elijah circa 1833;
3. Leander circa 1835; He died November 30, 1887 at the age of 54 years 7 months and 28 days - See Olive Memorial Cemetery, New Carlisle, St. Joseph County.
4. Martha born about 1839;
5. Cornelius b. circa 1843; Civil War - enlisted into Co E 20th Inf Reg. on 22 July 1861 and was killed 23 May 1864 - North Anna River, VA
6. Enoch circa 1846; Enlisted in New Carlisle, IN into the 87th Inf. Reg. Co. I September of 1862 his mother signed for his pension after his death circa 1890.
7. Robert circa 1848 and
8. Orin circa 1849.Eli and Cynthia had the following children:
James Henry born in 1853 and died in 1930 and buried Sauktown Cemetery along with his wife Sarah C. (Carr) born 1854 and died 1913.
William T. born January 1855 he wed Olive Lowallen on Nov 14, 1888
Daniel E. abt 1857 - he died in April of 1923
Francis M about born May 6, 1858 - she never married and died October 24, 1945 and is buried in Springville Cemetery
Mary March 28, 1860 married William Wirt on Dec 10, 1879 - She died September 10, 1899 and is buried at Olive Memorial Cemetery, in New Carlisle, Indiana.
Sherman 1862
Charlie 1865
Allen E born Oct 9, 1866 and died May 3, 1956 and burial is in Springville Cemetery.
Lora Anna 1869
Edeth 1873
Edna L 1877In the 1870 and 1880 census we find Leander living in the same household with his brother Eli in Wills Township. Leander was approximately 5 years younger then his brother Eli.
James Henry Vandusen., son of Eli, would marry Sarah C. Carr in LaPorte County on 10 Jan 1876. Sarah was born in 1854 and died in 1913. James would live another 17 years and died in 1930 both being buried in Sauktown Cemetery.
They had the following Vandusen children:
Elden born abt 1877 and died in 1958 - burial in Sauktown Cemetery.
Jessie V. born 1878 first married John David Hostetler 19 Feb 1896 and had a child, John Henry Hostetler born in 1899 and died in 1964 and is also buried in Sauktown.
Jessie then married Orley Lung about 1905 and they moved to Portage Twp, Saint Joseph Co., Indiana. With the exception of going to Witchita, TX for a short period of time, they would live out the remainder of their lives in the neighboring county to the East of us, St. Joseph. Jessie died in St. Joseph Co., IN in 1929
Matilda VanDuisen was born about 1885 and died as a young woman in 1901 - burial is in Sauktown Cemetery
Garland Carl VanDusen was born November. 9, 1886 according to his WWI draft card. On August 9, 1910 he married Elsie J. Levenhagen in LaPorte Co. He died 1954 at St. Joseph Hospital in South Bend, Indiana. (See St. Joseph Gen Web site for more) Elsie was born 1890 and died 1970 and is buried in Mount Pleasant Cemetery along with Garland. His wife Elsie Levengagen was born September of 1890 in Illinois and was the daughter of William Levenhagen who was born September 1857 in Germany and mother Wilhelminna aka Menie born May 1857. Elsie's parents and eldest sister, Augusta (dob Nov 1879) all arrived in USA Oct 31, 1881 having sailed on the ship Fresia out of Le Havre, France and showing the origin as Hamburg, Germany. Garland's wife Elsie had several other siblings in addition to Augusta, being born in Germany, the others were born in Illinois and her baby brother born in Indiana.Mr. Bob Lung is also studying this family. He may be reached at blung@comanco.com