Page:History of Goodhue County, Minnesota.djvu/1018

 880 HISTORY OF GOODHUE COUNTY soldier is still a part of the history of the early clays of the Empire State. The subject of this sketch was born in New York state February 24, 1841, son of Daniel and Mariah (Alcott) Van Guilder, both natives of the Empire state. He received his edu- cation in the schools of his neighborhood, and at the call to arms in 1862 enlisted for two years in Company K, 123rd New York Volunteer Infantry. After the expiration of the term of enlistment he came to Stanton township and farmed for a while, but the love of his country was strong in his heart, and after a while he again went east and enlisted in Company A, 8th Ver- mont Volunteer Infantry, serving until the close of the war. Hostilities concluded, he came to Stanton township once more and purchased the place upon which he has since resided. He cleared the land himself, brought it under cultivation and carried on general farming, an occupation in which he continues at the present time. Aside from raising the usual crops, he also does dairy farming and sells considerable cream. He also raises sheep, a subject to which he has given much thought. The farm, which with its neat house and well-kept barn, presents a strong contrast to the wild land upon which Mr. Van Guilder first built his rough log cabin, originally consisted of 194 acres, but forty acres was recently sold to a son, leaving 154 acres. Mr. Van Guilder is a Republican in political views and cast his first vote' for Abraham Lincoln, but of late years he has at many elections voted independently on those occasions when the merits of the candidates seemed a greater issue than the platform of the parties. He has for some years past affiliated himself with the McKinley Post. No. 92, G. A. R.. a) Cannon Falls. Although not an office seeker, he has consented at various times to serve as road overseer and on the school board. Mr. Van Guilder was married in 1859 to Harriet Cooper, daughter of Matthew and Mary Cooper, who on July 3, 1909. celebrated the fiftieth anni- versary of their marriage. The Van Guilder home has been blessed with seven sturdy children : Mary, Carrie, Fred, Nathan, Daniel. Charles and George, all of whom are alive. Alvin Van Guilder was born in Stanton township February 14, 1869, son of Albert and Jane (Winchell) Van Guilder, natives of New York, who spent their early life there, the father being engaged at his trade of cooper, and later in farming. They came west with Fred Van Guilder and purchased land in Stanton township, which the father improved, carrying on general farm- ing. They had a family of ten children, all of whom are living : Henry, Frank, Albert, William, Alvin (the subject of this sketch), Herbert, Edith, John. Samuel and James J. The father is still living in "Waterville, Minn. The mother died in 1901. Alvin received his education in the common schools and worked on the