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| Richard Vandewater, farmer, sec 22, Hinton Tp., is a son of Peter and Catherine (Rutan) Vandewater, natives of New Jersey and of Holland descent. They are pioneers of Washtenaw County and afterward moved to Barry County, where the mother died. The father lives in Adrian, with a daughter. Mr. Vandewater was born in New Jersey, Dec. 19, 1821, and accompanied his parents to Michigan. They were in limited circumstances and the son felt it his duty to contribute to the relief of the household. He did this many years, even after he was legally released from obligation. He was married in Hillsdale Co., Mi, Feb 28, 1847, to Nancy Jane Fuller, who died in June 1848, leaving one child, George W., born June 28, 1848. Mr. Vandewater was again married in 1850, to Elvira J. Heath, a native of the State of New York. Of this marriage one child was born, Catherine E., who died when about two years old. The mother died, and Mr. Vandewater was again married May 28, 1864, to Esther A., daughter of David and Sarah Ann (Bennett) Moulter, who was born March 31, 1844, in Chemung Co., N.Y. Of this marriage were born Peter E., April 6, 1865; Sarah E., Nov 25, 1869; Elvira J., March 2, 1877. In August 1863, Mr. Vandewater was drafted to serve during the war. He served nineteen and one-half months, was honorably discharged Feb. 12, 1866, Newberry, N.C. He was assigned to the 23rd Mich. Vol. Inf., and was afterward transferred to the 28th Mich. Inf. In justice to Mr. Vandewater it should be said that he was prevented from enlisting by the smallness of the number of settlers in the township and his feeling that he was needed at home. He was in the battle of Franklin, Tenn., and when Hood was captured his regiment pursued and the rebel general until his surrender. Mr. Vandewater originally purchased 40 acres of wild land, and later on, another 40. He has no 33 acres cleared and under tillage. In the spring of 1883 he sold 40 acres. Both himself and wife are members of the Second-Advent Church. Mr. V. was one of the earliest settlers and circulated the petition for the division of the four townships: Hinton, Deerfield, Millbrook and Aetna. On the organization of Hinton Tp., in January 1860, he was elected first Supervisor. He has since held various offices, among them that of School Treasurer, to which position he has been three times elected and of which he is the present incumbent. In politics he is independent. Reference: Pg. 292 |