Evening journal., 1916-03-28
ALFRED D. VANDEVER.
oldest FIREMAN, dies
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was a habit 10 do charitable acts and
in many instances when he could in
afford it. To his close friends he had
been known as doc" for many years,
because of his great love for animals
and the fact that a relative was a dis
tinguished veterinary surgeon and the
deceased himself had given much at
tention to the treatment of horses.
To the newspaper reporters of Will
mington DOC" Vandever was more
than a friend and many a good story
could be traced to the tip that he had
handed out He was a frequent visi-
tor 10 the newspaper Offices and gem
orally had some interesting news to
tell. During his term Of Office as Coro-
ner OF New Castle county, a friendship
between Mr. Vandeyer and reporters
was formed that lasted until his
death.
IL was only two weeks ago that Mr..
Nandoyer hccamo so i'll that he was
confined to bis bed. Up until that time
he had been an unusually active man
for his four score years. and only about
year ago, TO show how physically iit
he was, he ran up Eleventh street hill
from French to King streets. Since the
death OF his wife, Emily Hanna Van
dcver, eight years ago. Mr.. Nandeyer
had lived alone in the Walnut street
house. Ia his last illness Mrs. Sarah
J.. Carr, of Philadelphia, his cousin,
nursed him.
Mr.. Nandover was son of Peter and
Ellen Nandever, and had lived IN Viii
mington adj his life lie had an honor
able war record. having enlisted m the
First Delaware Regiment, and won his
promotion 90 a licutcnancy. lie was cap
turod az one time and was prisoner
in the famous Libby Prison. lie also
served in the quartermasters depart
mcnt for a time. The deceased was a
member Of Smyth Post, c. A. r., and of
Washington Lodge, *. of p.
At the close Of the war Mr.. Vande-
yer returned to Wilmington and was
connected with several enterprises.
He conducted a china and glassware
store and later a rendering plant. He
then became sexton OF Old Swedes
Church, and was there in that capa-
city for many years. He was coroner
of New Castle county in 1901 and 1902
In politics he had always been
staunch Republican and good party
worker. He served I'm City Council
from the Fourth Ward az one time.
The deceased was a great lover OF
flowers and had a small garden which
he took great pride in at his home.
Mr. Nandever was a student OF Della
ware history and had a collection OF
several hundred volumes of old and
valuable books. He had a wonderful
memory and was well informed on
every historical event OF the State.
and especially for the last seventy
years When sexton at Old Swedes
church he took great pride in the his
toric graveyard there, and was largely
responsible for the upbuilding and re-
storing OF the old graveyard. During
those years he was never hammer
than when showing visitors through
the historic church and graveyard and
telling them somthing Of its history.
In recent years Mr.. Vandever had
received a pension OF 81 a day from
the government In his VIII. which is
In the possession OF neighbors. he
gives instructions that his old curios
OF which he had a large number. and
his books be sold for the benefit OF
Hope Farm.
The deceased was a descendant Of
one or the Oldest families OF the State.
Many OF his ancestors lived to 90 years
and several passed the century mark.
So strong was the attachment between
Mr.. and Mrs. Nandever. that from the
time Of her death until he last illness.
he always set Mate on the table at
the place where Mrs. Vandevor for
merly sat
Ferris Giles, who was deputy coroner
under Mr.. Nandever, spent every night
Of the last two weeks with his old
friend, and was with him when he died