Obituaries, Death Notices, and Funeral Notices - V

Click a letter of the alphabet to view the obituaries for a surname that starts with that letter.

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Vache, Wm. F.

Wm. F. Vache, of Philadelphia, father of Mrs. John G. Hayes, of Tennis avenue, died early Sunday morning and the funeral was held this Wednesday afternoon from his late residence. He was well known to many people in Ambler.

[Source: Ambler Gazette, March 21, 1901, p. 5. Submitted by Nancy.]

Valentine, Edward R.

Edward R. Valentine died on Thursday at the Norristown Insane asylum where he has been confined for some time. He was well known as a farmer in Warrington, and had lived at Hatboro and other places in that vicinity. He is survived by a wife, who resides in Germantown. His father and mother are Mr. and Mrs. William Valentine, who make their home with Gove Walton, in Hatboro. His sisters are Mrs. Gove Walton and Mrs. Jennie Walton, of Hatboro; his brothers, William Valentine, Jr., of Willow Grove, and Jacob Valentine, of Trenton.

[Source: Ambler Gazette, January 14, 1904, p. 1. Submitted by Nancy.]

Van Baun, Blyden

At his father's residence, Montgomery County, on the 8th inst., Mr. Blyden Van Baun. The relatives and friends are respectfully invited to attend the funeral, on Tuesday afternoon, at 2 o'clock. The carriages will leave Mr. S. Gartland's, Thirteenth street, above Chestnut, at 1 o'clock. To proceed to Laurel Hill.

[Source: Philadelphia Press, August 10, 1857, p. 3. Submitted by Nancy.]

Van Buskirk, Jacob

Willow Grove. Jacob Van Buskirk, aged 67 years, died on Wednesday afternoon of apoplexy. He lived in Mrs. Newport's house and followed shoemaking till last fall, when he had a stroke and had not been able to work since.

[Source: Ambler Gazette, May 9, 1901, p. 4. Submitted by Nancy.]

Van Fossen, Eli

Found Dead

Eli Van Fossen, of West Point, was found dead in his house at that place on Tuesday. His wife had gone to Lansdale, and on her return she found her husband lying dead on the floor. Mr. Van Fossen had been suffering from an attach of the grip and his death was believed to be the result of that disease. An inquest was held Tuesday afternoon.

Mr. Van Fossen was well known in the community. For years he followed the milling business. He was an old-time music teacher, having been conductor of the Wentz church choir for several years.

[Source: Ambler Gazette, April 25, 1895, p. 2. Submitted by Nancy.]

Van Holt, Martha

Killed at Gwynedd Station.

The investigation made by Coroner Ashton into the accident that befell Mrs. Martha Van Holt on Friday evening, when she fell from a bridge near Gwynedd station, shows the following facts:

On Friday evening Mrs. VanHolt, who was the wife of Harry VanHolt --- Franklinville, left Fort Washington --- company with her 14-year old ---- to go to her home at Fra---. They left the train at Gwynedd station and the mother insisted on crossing the high railroad bridge above the station as a nearer way to their home, notwithstanding the entreaties of her child to go by way of the road. It was about 8.45 when they left the station together and were fairly started across the bridge, which is a trestle construction, when the mother suddenly became confused by the appearance of a freight train on the north track.

The daughter stated that her mother seemed to have lost her self control when the train put in an appearance and while in this confused state she tripped over the ties and fell headlong over the side of the bridge. The daughter then ran to the station as soon as possible and informed persons there of her mother's fall.

The woman's dead body was found in the creek under the bride, death having been caused by the shock resulting from the high descent.

[Source: Ambler Gazette, May 16, 1901, p. 4. Submitted by Nancy.]

Van Horn, Nathan

Nathan Van Horn, of Fort Washington, died very suddenly Tuesday night shortly after 11 o'clock. He had been in Philadelphia and returned home seemingly in his usual health. Just before going to bed, in hunting around for a stimulant he took the ammonia bottle, but it is not supposed he drank any, although the doctor was summoned. About 11 o'clock he was discovered by the family siting in a chair in his room, apparently dazed. He refused to respond to restoratives and Dr. Conover was again summoned, who pronounced the patient dead. The deceased had been residing at Fort Washington for about 10 year sand for a long time was an official of the Lehigh Valley railroad, with his office in Philadelphia. Although a cripple, he managed to get about a great deal. He was a member of the Masonic order. A wife and one daughter survive. The coroner held an inquest on Wednesday afternoon.

[Source: Ambler Gazette, July 13, 1899, p. 8. Submitted by Nancy.]

Van Horn, Nathan

Fort Washington. A postmortem examination of the late Nathan Van Horn showed that death was due to valvular disease of the heart and that the ammonia had noting to do with his death. The coroner decided, therefore, that no inquest was necessary. The funeral was in charge of George G. Davis and was held Friday afternoon from the residence of the deceased. The remains were cremated. Mr. Van Horn, who was 61 years old, was well known in railroad circles. He was born in New York and served in the Seventy-first New York regiment during the Civil war. He was connected with the Lehigh Valley and Erie railroads for 25 years and the National Publication company, and was formerly president of the Union Steamship Advertising company. He was a member of Franklin Lodge, 134, F. and A.M.

[Source: Ambler Gazette, July 20, 1899, p. 8. Submitted by Nancy.]

Vandegrift, John G.

John G. Vandegrift Dead.

John G. Vandegrift, well-known throughout the lower end of Bucks county, died at h is home in Eddington, on Sunday, Feb. 10, from cancer of the stomach, in his 68th year. Mr. Vandegrift had for a long term of years kept the store at Eddington, having been at that place since 1882.

The deceased was born in Bensalem township on Sept. 2, 1834. His parents, Alfred and Catharine M. (Gibbs) Vandegrift, were natives of Bucks county and of English descent. Alfred Vandegrift was a very prominent man in his neighborhood, taking an active interest in public affairs. He served some 14 years as school director. John G. Vandegrift received a common school education and grew to manhood on the farm, following that work with marked success for many years until he removed to Eddington. He once owned "Bushy Park," on the Delaware, a farm deeded in 1774 to Captain John Kidd by Thomas, son of William Penn. He was appointed postmaster at Eddington by President Cleveland and served as justice of the peace for a number of years.

In 1862 the deceased married Mary J., daughter of Thomas Creighton. They had two children, Lemuel and Kate, both of whom are still living. They are members of the Episcopal church. Mr. Vandergrift [sic] was a brother of former State Senator Charles G. Vandegrift. He was a prominent member of the Masonic order and of the Knight of Templar.

[Source: Ambler Gazette, February 21, 1901, p. 3. Submitted by Nancy.]

Vandike, Mary H.

Suddenly, on the 29th ult., Mrs. Mary H., wife of William Vandike, in the 52d year of her age. The relatives and friends are respectfully invited to attend the funeral, from the residence of her husband, No. 341 South Fifth street, this (Saturday) morning, at 9 o'clock. To proceed to Barren Hill, Montgomery county.

[Source: Philadelphia Press, October 2, 1858, p. 3. Submitted by Nancy.]

VanDyke, Augistine

Vanfossen, Joseph

Joseph Vanfossen, the oldest resident of Worcester, died May 11 of cancer of the face, aged 89 years, 10 months. Deceased was born in 1810 on the farm now conducted by Frank G. Bean, near Fairview village. He was a blacksmith by trade, serving his apprenticeship with Samuel Shupe, at Evansburg. In 1832 he became a permanent resident of Worcester. He followed his trade for 51 years and did his own blacksmithing until he was 80 years of age.

Deceased is survived by his second wife, one son, William D. Vanfossen, and daughter (by his first wife), Mrs. Charles D. Loch, of Lansdale. His recollections of the Peter Wentz inn gleaned from Vanfossen's recollections by Dr. George K. Meschter, were recently published.

Funeral on Tuesday, May 15 was largely attended. Interment at Wentz's Reformed church cemetery, of which congregation he was a member. Rev. George K. Meschter conducted the services at the house and Rev. S.M.K. Huber at the church.

[Source: Ambler Gazette, May 24, 1900, p. 4. Submitted by Nancy.]

VanLuvanee, Josephine

Josephine, widow of the late Arthur D. VanLuvanee, of Forest avenue, Ambler, died on Friday last in her 38th year and was buried Tuesday morning at 10 o'clock in St. Anthony's cemetery. She leaves a family of four young children. This is one of the saddest cases in Ambler for many years. Less than 10 days ago the father was buried, having died suddenly. At the time Mrs. VanLuvanee was very sick and the report was spread around that she also had died, but that separation was spared the family until after the burial of the father. Mr. VanLuvanee bought a lot on Forest avenue, near St. Anthony's church and built a neat house thereon. At the time of his death his life was insured for $1,000 and he practically owned his home.

[Source: Ambler Gazette, March 4, 1897, p. 1. Submitted by Nancy.]

Vaughan, Essie

Centre Square. The sad intelligence of the death of Miss Essie Vaughan, only daughter of Mr. Thomas Vaughan, of Norristown, formerly of this place, was received on Sunday. She had been ill several weeks with pneumonia. Her mother died several years ago with the same disease. Miss Vaughan was a most estimable lady, and was aged 20 years. Funeral on Thursday afternoon at St. John's Lutheran church, Centre Square.

[Source: Ambler Gazette, November 28, 1901, p. 5. Submitted by Nancy.]

Vaughan, Mary B.

The funeral of Mary B. Vaughan, wife of Thomas B. Vaughan, of Norristown, passed through here [Centre Square] on Friday on the way to St. John's cemetery. Mrs. Vaughan once lived at Centre Square in the house no occupied by Dr. Seiple.

[Source: Ambler Gazette, December 23, 1897, p. 1. Submitted by Nancy.]

Vauluvanee, Benjamin

Vaux, Jacob Waln

J. Waln Vaux, president of the Trust Company of North America, who had been suffering the past three weeks from a complication of diseases, chief among which was Bright's disease, died Monday morning at "Windridge," his beautiful home at Penllyn, aged 58 years. He had been under the care of Dr. William Pepper, and until a week ago his condition was not thought to be serious. He gradually became worse, however, until finally it was thought best to summon his sons, Richard and Henry, who were at Mt. Gretna with Battery A, and they secured a leave of absence from Captain Warburton and were at their father's bedside when he passed away.

Mr. Vaux was born in 1849. Up to the time of his death the deceased was the only surviving son of the late Richard Vaux, who married Miss Waln, a daughter of Jacob S. Waln, one of the most distinguished merchants of his time, and who was mayor of Philadelphia, member of congress as representative-at-large, and who has had many honors.

During the early years of his life Mr. Vaux was engaged in the dry goods business, with the commission house of S. Morris Waln, in Philadelphia, and afterwards represented the firm of David S. Brown, in New York. About 1875 he entered the insurance business. He became cashier of the custom house during the term of John Cadwalader as collector of the port, and when the latter's term expired the Trust Company of North America was organized, with Mr. Cadwalader as president, and Mr. Vaux as treasurer. When Mr. Cadwalader resigned the presidency, in February, 1897, Mr. Vaus succeeded to that position which he held at the time of his death.

Mr. Vaux married Miss Emily Pepper, a daughter of Henry Pepper, and to this union five children were born, three sons and one daughter now living. The two elder sons, Richard and Henry, became members of Battery A shortly after Captain Warburton assumed command.

Mr. Vaux was connected with many public institutions and charities, and was a member of the society of the Sons of the Revolution, and other organizations of men descended from distinguished ancestry in colonial days.

During his life Mr. Vaux took a very active part in the affairs of the Protestant Episcopal church in this diocese. He was accounting warden of St. Thomas' church at Whitemarsh, and was also a vestryman of Old St. Peter's, at Third and Pine streets. About seven years ago he became actively interested in the work of St. Thomas' church, and entered heartily into all the plans for its developments, and through his unselfish labor and generosity the work of the church was extended in every direction. Mr. Vaux took especial interest in the choir, with which he was connected, and until his illness showed his interest by being present at all the rehearsals, despite the weather; and it was his influence and generous contributions which enabled the choir to reach its present degree of efficiency. The fine organ and artistic choir screen will ever bear witness to his devotion to St. Thomas' church.

He was a delegate to the Episcopal convention recently sitting in Philadelphia. He was always prominent in charitable work, for many years taking a deep interest in Christ Church hospital, and for years being a director of the Pennsylvania Institution for the Blind. The deceased was beloved and respected by every member of the parish, where his beautiful character and life were held in deserving honor. His loss will be deeply felt by all. Mr. Vaux was remarkable for his public spirit and for his unselfish devotion to the public good. He was one of the most large-hearted and generous of men, ever ready to give his time and energy to the promotion of any good work or cause. In private life his characters was altogether beautiful, and his influence and example were helpful and inspiring. It would be hard to find another man so generally loved and honored. He furnished an instance of an active life, lived in the world, yet kept unspotted from the world, and devoted wholly to the highest and noblest ends.

The funeral took place this Wednesday afternoon, and interment was made at the cemetery of St. Thomas' church, Whitemarsh.

[Source: Ambler Gazette, May 19, 1898, p. 1. Submitted by Nancy.]

Vaux, Mary Waln

Mrs. Mary Waln Vaux, widow of ex Mayor Vaux, died Tuesday morning at her home, 1900 Chestnut street, Philadelphia, in the 81st year of her age. Mrs. Vaux was born Aug. 4, 1814, in Philadelphia. Her father was Jacob S. Waln, who was prominently identified with shipping interests. In 1840 she was married to Richard Vaux, and in 1890 they celebrated their golden wedding. In her younger days Mrs. Vaux took an active interest in various charitable institutions and was a constant churchgoer. She attended St. Paul's Protestant Episcopal church when at Chestnut Hill, and was a worshipper at St. Mark's when in the city. During recent years she was a sufferer from bronchitis, and this, with old age and the shock she sustained on the death of her husband, in March last, contributed to the debility that resulted in death. Mrs. Vaux leaves one son and four daughters.

[Source: Ambler Gazette, January 2, 1896, p. 3. Submitted by Nancy.]

Vessel, William

Inquest at Jenkintown.

Coroner Grant McGlathery was at Jenkintown Friday afternoon and held an inquest on the body of William Vessel, of 1906 Mitter street, Philadelphia, who was killed on the railroad at that place Wednesday afternoon.

Vessel and Charles Ulmer were sealing cars in the freight yard when they heard an approaching train. The former stepped aside and in the path of the New York express. The locomotive struck him and hurled him against Ulmer. Both men were thrown under the cars which they were sealing. When picked up it was thought both were dead, but Ulmer regained consciousness.

The jury rendered a verdict of accidental death and exonerated the engineer and crew of the express from all blame.

A strange incident in connection with Mr. Vessel's death is the injury to Mr. Ulmer. As stated, when the former was struck and killed his body was hurled against that of Ulmer. In this way the latter was injured and rendered unconscious, or in other words his injuries resulted from a dead man.

When picked up Ulmer was thought to be as dead as his fellow workman, but in being taken to the Jewish hospital at Tabor he regained consciousness. He escaped from that institution and his whereabouts were unknown until Friday, when he was found at Doylestown. Ulmer is very painfully injured and it is feared that some of the injuries are internal.

[Source: Ambler Gazette, February 2, 1899, p. 1. Submitted by Nancy.]

Vest, G.G.

Viven, Olin F.

Olin F. Viven, son of Rev. A.M. Viven, pastor of the Methodist Episcopal church, Wissahickon, formerly of Lansdale died Monday night at St. Timothy's hospital, Roxborough, from an attack of appendicitis. He had his first attack last Thursday. A surgical operation failed to bring relief. The family had just returned Saturday from a short vacation.

[Source: Ambler Gazette, August 23, 1900, p. 8. Submitted by Nancy.]

Von Stutterheim, Mrs. Julius

Centre Square. The funeral of Mrs. Julius vonStutterheim, of Bordertown, N.J., was largely attended at St. John's Lutheran church, Centre Square, last Friday afternoon. She leaves one daughter, Mrs. John McCandless, and two sons. Mrs. Stutterheim [sic] was an estimable woman, beloved by all who knew her.

[Source: Ambler Gazette, February 21, 1901, p. 1. Submitted by Nancy.]