George G. Van Osdel

George G. Van Osdel, son of James M. and Margaret (Bates) Van Osdel, was born in Fishkill, Dutchess county, N. Y., December 13,1842. His ancestors migrated from Holland to New York at an early day: his parents were natives of New York, who removed to Illinois in 1854; settled in Kendall county, where his father engaged at his trade of blacksmith, and continued so engaged at Millington until his death, January 16, 1884. He was a member of the Methodist Episcopal church, and always held the position of class-leader. His mother, now aged sixty-four years, resides at Yorkville, Kendall county. George C. Van Osdel is the second child of a family of ten children, of whom seven are still living; one brother being engaged in the ministry. He spent his early life at home, assisting in the duties of the farm. His educational advantages were limited to the common schools, but applying himself diligently to study he acquired a practical education. At the age of twenty-one he entered Bryant & Stratton's college, at Chicago, and, completing his studies there, in 1864, returned to Kendall county, where, at Newark, he engaged in clerking. After a short time he joined Company F, One-hundred-and-forty-first Illinois Volunteer Infantry, was promoted corporal, and at the close of his term of enlistment returned to his duties at the store. In 1865 he went to Aurora, where he engaged as clerk for a short time, when he was attacked by sciatic rheumatism, from which he suffered about a year. Recovering from this attack sufficiently to resume business, he was engaged as instructor in the public schools of La Salle and Kendall counties. In 1867 he was granted a license to preach in the Methodist Episcopal church. In 1868 he married Miss Clara A., a daughter of Edward P. and Hannah (Gridley) Bibbins, born in Kendall county, Ill., December 13, 1847. In 1871 Mr. Van Osdel became a member of the Baptist church, and was engaged in the ministry at Newark, Somonauk, Wyoming and Toulon, Ill. In 1876 he came to Wyoming and assumed charge of the Baptist church there, for one year; he moved to Toulon, where he was engaged as pastor of the Second Baptist church. He was instrumental in uniting the two churches. He was also engaged in photography, which he still follows, being the only photographer at Toulon. On February 16, 1883, Mrs. Van Osdel died. Of the four children who blessed this union, one died during infancy. In 1884 he married Miss Isabel Stuckey, of Washington Courthouse, O., who was born in Fayette county, O., in 1843. Politically, Mr. Van Osdel is a Republican. In 1881 he was elected justice of the peace, which office he still holds. He has been quite active m political affairs, and has held the office of village clerk. His penchant for home studies has accompanied him in his later years and he is now reading law, with a view of becoming a member of the bar of Illinois.