H. S. VanVlerah - G.A.R., Bishop Post

Photo taken in 1910 (according to Bishop Post minutes)

HENRY S. VAN VLERAH

Born in 1838, Henry Van Vlerah enlisted in the Union Army on April 24, 1861 for a three month term.  He was discharged on August 12, 1861 after 3 months and 16 days.     

Henry was a private in Company K, 21st Infantry, better known as the Dennison Guards.  Men from Hancock and Defiance Counties were the largest part of this unit which was under Captain Strong.  The mustering in point was Camp Taylor, Cleveland, but before leaving, a farewell party was held for the local men here in Defiance, sponsored by the Methodist Church.  The ladies presented the men with a flag, fed them well, and those in attendance escorted the men to the depot.

After mustering in, Henry served under Captain Jesse Norton.  The group marched to Gallipolis and camped along the Ohio River at Camp Carrington.  After several months, they crossed over into Virginia where they joined McClellan and fought the Battle at Scary Creek on July 17, 1861.  It was a five hour battle in which 9 of the group were killed and 17 wounded.  Their captain, Norton, was captured but later exchanged.  

On the 1890 veterans census, Henry noted a disability from his service, but it was illegible.  He was a married man when he joined the Ohio Infantry, having married Angeline Boucher on January 14, 1858.  

After the war, he and his family were enumerated on the 1870 census: Henry - 32, Angeline - 30, and children- Viola - 11, Iva - 9, Lloyd - 7, Robert - 4, Estella - 2 and General W. - 0.  He had acquired real estate valued at $1000 by that time and he was farming.

Henry continued to farm and serve his community and the G.A.R. in various offices.  He attended G.A.R. company reunions and events and accepted jury duty when called.  

In 1910, he was still farming at the age of 72.  The census noted that he and Angeline had six children, with four living at that time.  By 1920, Henry had retired and was 82.  Angeline died in 1928 and Henry in 1929.  He lived to 91 years, a well-respected man in Defiance County.  

His obituary:

Defiance Crescent-News - July 15, 1929

 "HENRY S. VAN VLERAH, CIVIL WAR VETERAN, DIES AT AGE 91

Henry S. Van Vlerah, 92, died at his home in Defiance township, a mile and a quarter south of the Power Dam, Saturday at 3 p.m. due to the infirmities of old age.  He had lived on the farm on which he passed away for more than 65 years, although for the past three years, his son-in-law, Theodore Keller, has lived on the farm with him.

Mr. Van Vlerah was a Civil War veteran and a member of Bishop Post of the G.A.R. at Defiance.

He was born near Ulrichsville, Tuscarawas County, Jan. 8, 1838, and came to Defiance county in 1854, settling first in Highland township, where he married Miss Angeline Boucher in 1858.  Mrs. Van Vlerah died Dec. 17, 1928, less than a month before the celebration of their seventy-first wedding anniversary.

Mr. Van Vlerah held a number of township offices, such as trustee, assessor and land appraiser.  He also taught school seven years and carried mail on horseback between Defiance and Delphos for four years.

His father lived to the age of 98, and other relatives also reached ripe old ages.  He was the last of a family of 12 children.

Three of his children are surviving, as follows: Mrs. Theodore Keller, Mrs. Clara Kramer and Mrs. Agnes Beall, all living within a short distance of the home farm.

Mr. Van Vlerah has subscribed to the Defiance Democrat and then the Crescent-News for more than 70 years without a break.

Funeral services will be held at the home at 10 a.m. Tuesday, then at the Mansfield Funeral Home at 10:30 a.m.  Burial will be made in the Myers Cemetery on the Ottawa-Defiance pike."

(This is part of a series on Civil War veterans of Defiance County who were part of the G.A.R., Bishop Post, that headquartered in the city.  Formed in 1879, the post was named after a local man, Captain William Bishop, Company D, 100th Regiment, Ohio Volunteer Army who died as a result of wounds received in battle.  The veterans' photos are part of a composite photo of members that has survived.  If you have other information or corrections to add to the soldiers' stories, please add to the comments!)