Thomas VanDeventer was born on 25. Nov. 1820 at Mulberry Gap, Tennessee. He was the son of
James VanDeventer and
Mary Ellen Hopkins. Thomas VanDeventer married
Elizabeth Arbogast on 21. Jan. 1841. Thomas VanDeventer died on 19. Oct. 1899 at LeRoy, McLean County, Illinois, at age 78. Clinton Public
(DeWitt County, Illinois)
Friday, October 20, 1899
HELPED BUILD RUCKER CHAPEL
Thomas Vandeventer, Who Assisted in Organizing DeWitt County, Died at Leroy
Thomas VANDEVENTER, one of the early settlers of DeWitt county, died Thursday at his home in Leroy at the advanced age of 78 years. He was born in Tennessee and came to Illinois in 1830, and had since resided in the north part of DeWitt and southern part of McLean counties, where he owned over 300 acres of fine farm land.
Mr. Vandeventer was married on Jan. 21, 1841, to Elizabeth ARBOGAST, the ceremony being performed by Robert H. POOL, a local minister of the M. E. church, who then traveled through the country on horseback. Six children were born to them, three having since died. The children are: James VANDEVENTER, born in 1841 and died in 1881; an infant who died in infancy; Daniel F., born in 1845, now lives south of Leroy; Thomas M., born Aug. 4, 1849, now lives in DeWitt county; Mary E., wife of Edward CAYTON, lives south of Leroy; George L., born in 1852 and died in 1898.
Mr. Vandeventer took an active part in the organization of DeWitt county in 1840 and at that time was personally acquainted with every inhabitant of the county. In early life Mr. Vandeventer joined the Baptist church and held his membership with that denomination until after his marriage, when he joined the
Methodist church under the preaching of Rev. Sam MARTINE, at the residence of David WOODARD. This small gathering of people continued to hold meeting in private homes until sufficient strength was developed to build Rucker Chapel, in which Mr. Vandeventer held a membership for thirty-three years. Funeral services will be held at Rucker Chapel, Sunday afternoon at 2 o’clock, conducted by Rev. Thornton CLARK, of Leroy.