1914 Delaware County History pgs. 252-253
Matthew Van Deusen
Matthew Van Deusen is one of the venerable and highly
esteemed residents of Manchester, where he has made his home
continuously for the past forty-six years, living retired since 1896. For a
period of twenty-eight years he was actively engaged in the produce business
here, winning a gratifying measure of success in the undertaking. His birth occurred
in Columbia county, New York, on the 3d of
December, 1822, his parents being Cornelius and Maria (McKagg)
Van Deusen, both of whom were natives of the Empire
state. In 1836 they removed to Michigan, but at the end of four years
residence in that state returned to New York, where they spent the remainder of
their lives. They had seven children, three of whom survive.
When a youth of fourteen Matthew Van Deusen
secured a position as clerk in a store in Kalamazoo, Michigan. The year 1868 witnessed his arrival
in Manchester, Delaware county, Iowa, and here he embarked in the produce
business, conducting an enterprise of that character continuously and
profitably until his retirement in 1896. He enjoys the distinction of having
made the first pound of butter made in the first creamery in the
United States and also made the butter that won
the gold medal prize at the Philadelphia exposition in 1876. He now lives
with his daughter, Mrs. Sabin, spending the evening
of life in well earned ease and comfort.
In 1847 Mr.
Van Deusen was united in marriage to Miss Sarah Barnes,
a native of the state of New York, by whom he had a daughter, Caro, who is the widow of Denison Sabin
and resides in Manchester. The wife and mother died in 1897
and was laid to rest in the Manchester cemetery. Mr. Van Deusen belongs to Manchester Lodge, No. 165, A. F. & A.
M., in which he has filled all of the chairs. He is an omnivorous reader and
keeps well informed regarding current events. He is now in the ninety-second
year of his age and his life has ever been such that he can look back over the
past without regret and forward to the future without fear.
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