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ELIJAH A VanSLYKE
ELIJAH A VanSLYKE who lives two miles
northeast of Chewelah is an active and industrious farmer. He also
devotes considerable time and attention to mining and has various
mining interests through the country. He was born in Crown Point,
Lake county, Indiana, on March 20, 1854, the son of John and Matilda
(Brundage) VanSlyke, natives of Canada and Ohio, respectively. The
father's grandfather and a Mr. VanNess settled on the Mohawk river
in the very early days. The father's father departed from his home
when very young and located in Canada, following the sea. Our
subject's father settled in Indiana and in 1854 returned to Canada,
whence in 1863, he journeyed back to Indiana and five years later
went thence to Kansas. The mother died in Indiana in 1865, leaving
the following children: Alfred, who was second lieutenant in the
Second Indiana; Levi, deceased; Edward, who perished in the war;
Monroe, Darius, Elijah A., Willard Suphrona Shelper, Corinthia, John
W. and Lyndia, twins, the latter married to J. P. Smith. Our subject
was educated in various places where his parents lived during his
minority and at the budding age of sixteen he went to Kansas and
remained for five years. At the time of his majority he located in
Iowa and in 1874 went again to Kansas. The indians being very thick
and hostile they had much trouble with them. During these years Mr.
VanSlyke had paid considerable attention to studying and also taught
some. While in Kansas he was assistant postmaster and in 1890 he
came to Washington, locating in Chewelah. Later he went to Spokane
and worked in the post office, after which he moved to Utah and there
in 1893 he was called to mourn the death of his beloved wife. Three
years later, he returned to Chewelah, took his present place as a
homestead and has continued here uninterruptedly. The date of Mr.
VanSlyke's marriage was 1888, and his wife Stella M., was the
daughter of S. A. and Lovern Manley, natives of Michigan and
Illinois, respectively. Mr. Manley lives now in Stevens county, but
his wife died some years since. Mr, VanSlyke has two children, Letea
and Leland M., both with him on the farm. In political life, Mr.
VanSlyke supports the principles of Socialism.
Source: "The History of North Washington", published 1904 Submitted by: Nancy GrubbEMail: nancyg@theofficenet.com |