Cleveland morning leader. [volume] (Cleveland [Ohio]) 1854-1865, 1858-09-22
CLEVELAND WEDNESDAY MORNING. SEPTEMBER %. 1858


Van Gorder's Marle. street property of course
was destroyed-his buildings, barns and much
Of his household furniture were all DESTROYED
There was no insurance upon his property, but
he did have policy on his lower mills in the
Trumbull Mutual Insurance Company, which,
among other cOmbustible things, was consumed
in this FIRE, and Bir Van GOrder had his depos-
it no,e TO pay which added $500 to his loss
Mr.. Van Gorler was much the heaviest sufferer
by this .ire He Immediately commenced a
large brick hotel upon the site ofhis old building
This building had 100 feet front, was so feet
deep ard was three stories high, with an attic,
lighted in the roof, which was 70 be large
dancing hall The walls were put up and tie
roof put on IN 1916; but being Strengthened in
means the original plan was not carried out,
and the lower rooms were finished for store
rooms, which brought him an income Of $1,000
year. On the 28th of April, 1854. this build
ing was burned. There was an insurance upon
1t for $1,000, or $4,000, SO that his loss was not
so severe. These two fires were supposed to
have been the work of incendiaries, but no sat
isiaetOry trace could be found Of the perpelra-
tors Of the heinous crimes.
Mr.. Van Gorder again built npon his lot, but
this time built fire proof brick block, cOmpri-
sing six large rooms, or buildings, each separate
from the other, and fire proof They are 100
feet deep and three stories high in front This
is the most beautiful and substantial business
block in the town. This was his last building
enterprise.
= Mr.. Van Gorder had several casualties to his
person, from which he narrowly escaped with
bis life. At one time a saw log rolled upon
him and nearly crushed him; but after long
confinement, he recovered, but was left with
stiff neck and shoulder. At another time his
-Trr bod u
nearly cut of.
Notwithstanding the losses by the speculation
of 1887 and the losses by the several fires in
later years, Mr.. Van GOrder leaves an estate of
several thousand dollars and all will see that no
ordinary activity and business capacity could do
this after meeting the losses which he had to
face.
His was an active busy life. No idle hours
were permitted to step between him and duty,
and deeply has he impressed his image nDOn
the business and enterprise of this community.
No man has lived here who has done so much
for the town and county as has Mr.. Van Cor
der. Others have had more wealth and more
means, but none have made as good use of what
they possessed as he has done; none were pos
sessed of 1.-THE of the spirit of enterprise that
characterized him.
As citizen, he was respected for his honest.
open hearted franllness, and few welded 4 more
wholesome influence than he did. He was up
right in his dealings, correct in his department,
true to his friends, generous to his enemies, and
pleasant, affable and agreeable to all. In his
later years, he was a thorough Temperance man,
ald in early life when he was keeping a tpvem
and it was customary for all to drink, he never
/ drank himself although he sold it at his bar,
but he never permitted drunkenness and carous-
ing about his house. His house was an ex-
eeption in this respect for the times; and him
/ self one of the few men who could keep tav-
ern for SO long a time and not become a drunk
ard
In addition to raising his large family, he pro-
yided for and took care of his father and mother
in their declining years, and sOOthed their pass
/ age to the grave as kind and loving son can
/ only do under like circumstances. His parents
lived to a great age.
] In 1912 Mr. Van Gorder United with the Pres
| byterian Church, and continued to be 4 constant
and exemplary member until his decease
On Thursday last a large concourse Of eiti-
zens followed his corpse to It's last resting place
thus testifyiug their respect for the man, and
his noble efforts 10 advance the business and en-.
terprise of the town. He is deeply mourned by
a large circle of friends and relatives, and viii
be much, missed from the busy circles of life.
1t is to be hoped that his active life, his high
and noble resolves, his manly performance OF
duty, his enterprising, energetic spirit, his up
right character, his virtuOus conduct, will not be
lost upon this community; and that the young
men who are coming on TO the stage Of action
and duty, viii study this true life lesson, and
learn therefrom the injunction, 800 THOU AMI
DO LIKEWISE" Truly yours,
JUNIUs, JR.