Randolph  County,  Indiana

George  Vanpelt


          The beginning of the career of the late George VanPelt, for many years one of the progressive farmers of Monroe township, Randolph county, was characterized by hard work and conscientious endeavor, and he owed his rise to no train of fortunate circumstances or fortuitous incidents. It was the reward of application of mental qualifications of a high order to the affairs of business, the combining with keen, mental activity that enabled him to grasp the opportunities that presented themselves. This he did with success and, what is more important, with honor. His integrity was ever unassailable, his honor unimpeachable, and he stood high with all who knew him.
          George VanPelt was born in Highland county, Ohio, December 7, 1864. He was a son of John and Millicent (Morris) VanPelt. The great grandfather removed from Virginia to Belmont county, Ohio, where he engaged in farming and lived and died. The grandparents grew to maturity in Belmont county and remained there some time after their marriage, then moved to Clinton county, Ohio, and remained there until 1868, when they emigrated to Randolph county, Indiana, locating near Farmland, where the elder VanPelt purchased a farm of one hundred and twenty-eight acres. He had owned two farms in Ohio aggregating two hundred and twenty acres. John VanPelt remained on his farm in this county until 1880 at which time he purchased a farm of one hundred and fifty-five acres near the city of Winchester, later purchasing forty acres more. He was very successful in a business way, and his dealings were always characterized by honesty and a high sense of justice. His death occurred in 1884, his wife surviving several years.
          Our subject was one of four children, all boys, namely: William A., who is farming in Monroe township, married Elizabeth A. Wood, and they have one daughter living, Mabel, and Carrie, who married C L. Shaffer, died April 14, 1914; David is farming near Winchester, is married and has two sons; George, subject of this memoir; James died at the age of sixteen years.
          George VanPelt was three years old when brought by his parents to Randolph county. He grew up on the farm and received a common school education. On July 16, 1887, he married Mary C. Kaugher, a daughter of Jacob and Catherine (Oswalt) Kaugher. Mr. Kaugher had been a prominent farmer in Stark county, Ohio, finally moving to Randolph county, Indiana, where he continued the same business. His family consisted of five children, namely: John, Sherman, Joseph, Angeline and Mary C. The mother died in 1881, after which the father removed to Winchester.
          To George VanPelt and wife eight children were born, namely: Charles who died in infancy; James Orley, born November 10, 1889, is operating the home farm with his brother John, who was born April 20, 1893; Cressie, born August 23, 1891, is at home; Hazel died in infancy; Ruby, born March 1, 1897; Harry, born May 2, 1899; Ira, born May 14, 1902.
          After George VanPelt's marriage he moved to a farm of one hundred acres in Monroe township where he spent the rest of his life, this fine land being a legacy of his father. He placed the farm under an excellent state of improvement, erecting, at considerable expense, a convenient and comfortable dwelling.
          Politically, Mr. VanPelt was a Republican and took an abiding interest in public affairs. He was a member of the Independent Order of Odd Fellows. He was summoned to close his eyes on earthly scenes on December 1, 1910, and the community felt a distinct loss, for he was a good and useful man.
Past and Present of Randolph County, Indiana, 1914.
Contributed by Gina Richardson

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