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The subject of this sketch is a native of Indiana, born in Washington county,
March 12th, 1816. The Vandeveer family were originally from North Carolina;
moved to Kentucky, then to Indiana; and in the fall of 1829 his father, Rev.
Aaron Vandeveer, came with his family to Illinois, and settled on a farm on
Clear creek in Sangamon county. The country was sparsely settled, and the means
for obtaining an education limited. Here and there over the country was a
subscription-school ; the teacher, "boarding around," taught on th4e
principle of the three "R's". It was in one of these log-cabin
schools that he entered, and after a three-months' course graduated. His
parents were poor, and of necessity required their sons to labor constantly on
the farm to aid in supporting their large family. He thus toiled most of the
time till he was twenty-one years of age. He is emphatically a self-made man,
and the most of his education was obtained by studiously devoting to his books
all the spare time at his disposal. He acquired a taste for reading early in
life, and by close and assiduous study attracted the attention of Hon. John T.
Stuart, of Springfield, Illinois, who tendered him the use of his valuable
library, by which means he was able to gain considerable legal knowledge. He
remembers the kindness of Mr. Stuart with the most grateful thanks, and always
speaks of this gentleman as his friend and benefactor.
As is the custom of most indigent young men, he, too, played the part of the "school-master" for a time. In the year 1836 he taught in a log school-house on Andy Finley's farm, some twelve miles west of Taylorville, then in the county of Sangamon. The building was made in regular pioneer log cabin style, without the use of a nail, with a large fireplace, and a log some ten or fifteen feet long cut out of the side for a window, using oiled paper for window-panes. His was a subscription-school of three months in the year, terms $2 per quarter for each scholar and board around. The latter arrangement did not suit his genius or taste, as it frittered away too much time, which he wished to devote to the study of his chosen profession of law. To obviate this difficulty, he put up a log-cabin 10 x 12 feet in size on his farm adjacent, and "kept bach." Thus he passed one or two years, farming in the summer, teaching in the winter, and reading during his leisure hours. The Judge had a great aversion, then as now, to seeing idlers around him consuming daylight to no profit. In all such cases he would press them into service, and with astonishing success. He remembers his milling experience in earlier years. Corn was shelled by scraping it on the back-edge of a knife driven into the end of a board, and in the absence of any contrivance of this sort; the fire-shovel was used over the wash tub. Washtubs were improvised by sawing a barrel in two. The older boys generally went to mill on horseback, mounted on a two-bushel bag of grain - and occasionally it would not be very well adjusted, when it caused the boys a great deal of trouble. They usually kept one grist at the mill, thus having a load each way. They often had to go a long distance to mill. In time, he was admitted to the practice of law. His first case was in the Circuit Court of Sangamon County, in Springfield. He was employed by the widow of Samuel Miller, deceased, to institute suit against Jesse Hanon, Sr., to compel a more faithful administration of his trust. This caused the young barrister to appear before the able and intelligent bar at the capital of the state, then composed of such men as Lincoln, Logan, Baker, Lambourn, and others, where he distinguished himself in managing the case to a successful issue. This triumph was as gratifying to his old neighbors as it was stimulating to his own future success. He participated in the organization of the county, and at the first election held on the 1st of April, 1839, was elected "County Recorder," and a few days thereafter appointed by the County Court school commissioner, which caused his removal to the county seat. On the 1st of June of the same year he was appointed by Judge Treat clerk of the Circuit Court, which office he held for many years. He was elected a member of the House of Representatives in 1842 over Martin White, the former representative, and Henry T. Luckett - both popular men. On his return home, at the close of the session in 1843, he was reappointed clerk of the Circuit Court; being a member of the legislature, he was ineligible, for the time being, to hold the office. In the same year he was elected justice of the peace. He was subsequently appointed post-master of Taylorville, which office he held for many years. The older inhabitants remember its being kept in the clerk's office up-stairs, in the old Court House, then the most public place of resort in the town. In 1846 he answered to the first call of his country, and raised a company for the Mexican war, and was elected its Captain. When beating up for recruits several public meetings were held in the Court House, and some amusing as well as patriotic speeches were made. The company was rejected by the Government, as the quota of the state under the call of the government was full. He was shortly afterward appointed by President Polk as assistant quartermaster in the United States Army, with the rank of captain. He had the command of his department under Col. W.B. Warren, of Jacksonville, in his forced march from Monclova to Saltillo, and so discharged his duties as to receive high commendation from Col. Warren. He was in the battle of Buena-Vista, and was acting as aid on the staff of General Taylor. Capt. Vandeveer does not claim to have been able to distinguish himself in the army, where there were so many eminent soldiers, but he feels the he discharged the duties of his office to the satisfaction of each of his commanding officers, and had their confidence and respect, ant particularly that of Col. Warren And Gov. Bissell. On his return home, at the close of the war, his name was prominently mentioned as a candidate for Congress. And at the democratic convention held shortly afterward at Shelbyville, after numerous ballotings for the various aspirants, he would have been nominated on the next ballot had he not stepped within the bar and peremptorily requested the withdrawal of his name from the contest, greatly to the disappointment of his friends. He was chosen one of the democratic electors in 1848 ; was elected, and cast his vote for General Lewis Cass. It was a sore trial as against his old commander, General Taylor, of Mexican war fame. In 1849 he was elected judge of the County Court of this county under the newly-adopted constitution, and was elected to the same office in 1853. He held the office for a term of eight years, and during that time displayed for his county some of the powers he is supposed to use with success in his private business. Although the county was comparatively new, and in a monetary point of view po0r, he and his associates erected the present fine Court House at a cost of about $16,000, and paid for it as the work was done, while many other counties in the state, more favorably situated, are in debt for their public buildings. In the other duties devolving upon him, not only in current county affairs, but in the probate department, he displayed equal skill and good judgment in his various decisions. After his return from Mexico in 1847 he resumed the practice of his profession, and has stood at the head of the bar as a successful practitioner for over a quarter of a century. In November, 1860, he was elected, for a second time, a member of the House of Representatives from Christian and Montgomery counties. It was during this time that the civil war commenced, demanding legislative skill and judgment, which he possessed in an eminent degree, commanding the confidence and respect of the members of that body. He was severe in his remarks on the rotten, broken banks, and on all occasions voted for a sound, reliable, constitutional medium of exchange. Perhaps a better idea of the character and standing of Mr. Vandeveer, as a member, may be gathered from an article written by a correspondent of the St. Louis Republican, under the title of "Sketches by a Lobbyist," who thus speaks: "Judge Vanderveer, of Christian, is one of the active, thinking, and working members of the House of Representatives. He is not much given to speech making, but when he does, he commands the individual attention of the whole house. He is a lawyer by profession, and generally participates in the debates when legal questions are before the house; is posted upon all matters of general interest, understands the wants of his constituents, and is an able and efficient representative. He is a man of fine appearance, unquestionable integrity, and acknowledged ability ; is a stanch democrat, and always votes the straight ticket. He occupies a high position in the affections of his people, and has several times been solicited to run for Congress, but as often refused. His social qualities are of the most agreeable order : he is a warm-hearted friend, but is independent and decided enough to determine what is right." In 1862 he was elected to the State Senate from the district composed of the counties of Macoupin, Montgomery, Christian and Shelby. A long experience in the business, and a general knowledge of men ant things, acquired by contact with the realities of life, enabled him to be a useful member of the Senate. He participated in many of the discussions before this body, and commanded its attention and respect. Many of his speeches have been highly spoken of, and have occasionally been illuminated with flashes of genius that would do honor to any man. The leading trait of his character is his strong and unswerving will. He never abandons a position taken. This quality has the effect in hiscase, as it has had in all others, to make him warm friends and bitter enemies. He is an ardent democrat of the old school, and has an abiding faith in democratic principles. In June, 1870, he was elected judge of the Tenth Judicial Circuit, embracing the counties of Christian, Montgomery, Fayette and Shelby, to fill the vacancy caused by the resignation of Judge Rice. Was again elected without opposition in 1873 for a term of six years. As a presiding judicial officer he has rendered general satisfaction, and won golden opinions from the members of the bar and others interested. Judge Vandeveer came to the bench directly from a large practice. He is a good lawyer, and possesses by nature a strong, clear, and vigorous intellect. He is a close thinker, stands well as a judge, and has rendered many important decisions. His manner is plain, with no attempt at a flourish of language or oratorical skill. Judge H. M. Vandeveer was happily married in the spring of 1841 to Miss Mary Jane Rucker. She is a native of Kentucky, but was a resident of Christian county, Illinois, at the time of her marriage. Five children are the fruits of this union, three of whom are living, viz., William T. and Eugene A., who are jointly engaged in the banking business in Taylorville, under the firm name of H. M. Vandeveer & Co. ; and Lizzie J., who is yet beneath the parental roof. Judge H. M. Vandeveer is a representative Western man, and one who, by the sheer force of indomitable will, industry, and perseverance, has risen from the depths of comparative obscurity, and made for himself a name and honorable position among men. His has been the most familiar and prominent name in Christian county for nearly a half century. The history of one can almost be traced in the other. From the organization of the county town to a recent date, he has been in one way or another identified and connected with its civil history. In its political history he has been a central figure, wielding more influence and directing more successes than any other citizen of the county. He was always a trusted leader and safe counselor. The world's measure of success, is success. Measured by this standard,Judge Vandeveer is one of the successful men of Illinois. |