[p. 772] vice-president and bookkeeper of the People's Bank of Elwood City, was born in Perry Township, on the old Van Gorder mill property, July 7, 1869, son of Israel and Isabella (Evans) Van Gorder. On the paternal side he is a descendant of one of the early settlers of this section, Jacob Van Gorder, who located at a very early date on Slippery Rock Creek.
Jacob Van Gorder, the only son of this pioneer, and grandfather of Jacob E. Van Gorder, took an energetic part in the development of the county, building the mill above referred to, which was the first one in that section. He owned, also, about 200 acres of land. He died while residing at the home of his son, James. He and his wife, whose maiden name was Nancy Elliott, were the parents of seven children, namely: Elliott, Israel and Alvi, who are now deceased; James, who is residing in Slippery Rock Township; Louisa, who was wife of William Morrison, ex-county commissioner of Lawrence County (both now deceased); Elmira, who married Henry Aiken, and is now deceased, her husband being a resident of Perry Township; Bella, who married Guy Morrison, of Wurtember,[sic] and is now deceased, and Alvi.
Israel Van Gorder was born in Perry Township in 1829, and when old enough learned the miller's trade. For many years he was the proprietor of the old Van Gorder mill. At the age of fifty-five he removed to New Castle, in which place he died in 1901, for some years previously having been retired from active business pursuits. He was twice married, the mother of Jacob E. being his first wife. Her parents resided near Hazel Dell, where her father, who was a millwright, owned the old Matheney mill. Mrs. Isabella Van Gorder died in 1874, when her son, Jacob Evans, was but five years old; and Israel Van Gorder married for his second wife, Nancy Vance, a native of Slippery Rock Township. She died in the spring of the present year, 1908.
Jacob Evans Van Gorder acquired his early education in the No. 4 School in Perry Township, and was subsequently a student for about two years at Grove City College, which he left in 1891. After graduating in a commercial course he entered the employ of G. W. Miller & Son, of New Castle. After remaining with them for a while, he went on a farm and was engaged for a short time in agricultural pursuits. He then entered into the feed business in Ellwood City, but subsequently sold out his interest, and on May 9, 1907, assumed the duties of his present position as vice-president and bookkeeper of the People's Bank. This concern is a flourishing institution and, as one of its leading officials, Mr. Van Gorder has proved himself a business man of high capabilities and has every assurance of a prosperous and successful business career. His political principles are those of the Republican party, but he takes no active part in politics, finding sufficient occupation in the performance of his business duties.
In 1896 Mr. Van Gorder married Miss Harriet Morrison, a daughter of David and Elizabeth Morrison. Of this union there have been five children, two sons and three daughters, namely; Verna, Ella Belle, David I., Raymond, and Adda. Mr. and Mrs. Van Gorder are members of the United Presbyterian Church at Ellwood City, having formerly belonged to the Slippery Rock Church. They are among the best known and most highly respected residents of Ellwood City.
20th Century History of New Castle and Lawrence County Pennsylvania and Representative Citizens Hon. Aaron L. Hazen Richmond-Arnold Publishing Company, Chicago, Ill., 1908
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