Biographies - Elmira Township

Charles and Ellen (Sliper) Vandyke settled at Spoon river in 1836, the same year of their marriage, when they erected their cabin, laid the puncheon floor, put in an old-fashioned fire-place, swung the crane, hung on the kettle and opened up in grand style, with one table, four chairs, one bake-kettle, one mush-pot, one bed, a rolling-pin, a hickory broom, two stout hearts and as many full grown appetites.

The Vandykes' golden wedding took place April 21, 1886.