Evening journal., 1921-12-20
RETIRES FROM
HERCULES CO.
A. p. Van Gelder, General
Superintendent, Back to
Farm
TWENTY-FOUR YEARS
IN POWDER INDUSTRY

Announcement OF the retirement.
effective in January, OF A. p. Van
Geider. general superintendent OF
high explosives plants, Hercules
Powder Company. from the active
ranks OF the organization was made
yesterday.
Following Mr.. Van Gelder's deci-
sion to retire. several changes have
been made in the operating organi-
zation OF the Hercules Company, all
Of which will take effect the first Of
the year. L. n. Bent will assume
the duties and title OF assistant gem
eral manager in chaEe OF miscel-
laneous manufacture and G. A. Bige-
low. formerly general manager OF
the Aetna Explosives Company, Inc,
will be assistant general manager in
charge Of high explosives manufac-
ture. F. p. II. Shelly, who came with
the Hercules Company through the
purchase of the Aetna Company, has
been transferred from the operating
to the purchasing department and
will he assistant purchasing agent.
Mr.. Van Gelder was born at Cats
kill. y. Y. After finishing high
school he entered the School OF
Mines OF Columbia University. Fol-
lowing his graduation he became
assistant in chemistry at the College
OF Physicians and Surgeons OF Co
lumbia University. al the same time
working as assistant chemist OF the
Hygeia Water Company OF New
York. A year later he was pro-
NOTED TO be tutor in general chem
istry at Columbia, where he worked
under Professor Charles F. Chand-
Ter.
Later. Mr.. Van Gelder accepted a
position in the chemical department
OF the Repatno Chemical Com
pany. at Gibbstown, y. j., where he
obtained his practical operating ex-
perience in the manufacture OF dy-
Mantle. He was subsequently trans
ferred to the Kenvil y. J.. plant as
chemist and special investigator OF
nitro-glycerin yields. While az Ken
vii he did some work at what was
then the Forcite plant OF the DUPONT
Company, and was later made as
sistant superintendent there. Mr.
Van Gelder was next sent to the
Emporium. Pa. plant then owned
by the DUPONT Company. as super
intendent. but was later transferred
10 Forcite to take charge Of tina
plant
At the lime OF the organization o
the Hercules Company. Mr.. Va
Gelder was superintendent at Ken
VII. where he was in charge OF al
the enormous operations during IN
war. The force under him increas
cd from $50 10 $500 and the plant
output increased from 1.0O0. 90
pounds OF dynamite monthly to 1,
100000 pounds OF dynamite and 3.
100000 pounds OF cordite. The siz
Of the original equipment was mul
dplied by six or eight and Kenvil be
came one OF the principal explosive
plants in the country. In October
1917. Mr.. Van Gelder was transfer
red 70 the Home Office as genera
superintendent OF high explosive
plants. the position he occupies a
the time OF his retirement after 2
years service in the explosives In
dusty.
Mr.. Van Gelder has always take
an active part in nearly all phases q
community activity. He Is a membe
of the Wilmington Whist Club. IN
Wilmington Country Club, the Del
aware Anglers and Gunners' Assc
citation, the American Chemical 81
ciety. the Society Of Chemical Indu,
try, the Chemists Club. and IN
American Game Protective an
Propagation Association. He is ais
active in safety work in the Stat
and IL chairman Of the .Educationi
Committee OF the Delaware Safei
Council
During the time Mr.. Van Gelds
was at Kenvil plant. he resided
Dover y. j.. where he entero
heartily into civic life. He was Z,
two years president Of the Dov,
board OF health and was successiv,
ly a member OF the common counc
and the board Of education He W,
at one time a candidate for the ma,
orally OF Dover.
Mr. Van Gelder married Mi
Louise Hunt Pool, daughter OF n
Rev, Charles L. Pool. d. D.. Of Son
erville, y. j., and he and Mrs Va
Gelder have two children. Charlie
who attends Tower Hill School an
Elizabeth. wko is a freshman
Wellesley College.
Il is understood that Mr.. ar
Mrs Van Gelder will spend Eel
ruary visiting friends in Florid
and on their return will spend
portion Of their time at the far
near Chesapeake City. which NJ
Van Gelder recently purchased.