Gaston, Joseph.  "The Centennial History of Oregon, 1811-1912."  Vol. 4. 
Chicago, Clarke Publishing Co., 1912. p. 19.
 
HENRY VANDEHEY

     belongs to that class of men who sturdily persevere in anything they
undertake and are usually numbered among the substantial citizens of their
respective communities. He is now well established oil a farm three miles south
of Banks, Washington county, and the neat appearance of his place is evidence of
the careful attention he gives to his business. He was born in Wisconsin
February 6, 1854, a son of John and Ardena Vandehey. The parents were natives of
Holland and were married in the old country. They emigrated to America in 1851
and settled in Wisconsin where they lived for twenty-two years. At the end of
the time named Mr. Vandehey moved with his family to Nebraska and six years
later came to Washington county, Oregon, locating on a farm of forty acres. He
died a year after his arrival and his widow made her home with her children
until her death, which occurred in 1900. In their family were thirteen children,
ten of whom survive, namely: John, Martin, Adrien, Henry, Nellie, George,
Theodore, Mary, Antone, and Annie. Peter died at the age of fifty years, Harriet
at the age of twenty-six and one of the children was called away in infancy.
     Henry Vandehey grew to manhood in Wisconsin and in the public schools of
his native state secured his early education. At the age of nineteen he began
learning the wagonmaker's trade, to which he faithfully applied himself for nine
years. He then engaged in farming, a pursuit which he followed for five years in
Wisconsin. In 1879 he came to Washington county, Oregon, and engaged in farming
for six years. He then went to Nebraska and farmed for a year, also taking up a
homestead in that state. A year later he sold out and returned to Oregon where
he has since resided. He now owns a well improved farm of seventy-five acres
from which he receives handsome annual returns. He and his family occupy an
attractive home and as each year witnesses a gratifying increase in his
prosperity, he has just reason to congratulate himself on locating permanently
under the favorable conditions that prevail in Washington county.
     On September 13, 1875, Mr. Vandehey was married to Miss Elizabeth
Vangreensven, who was born in Wisconsin, a daughter of Henry and Nellie (Coonen)
Vangreensven. The parents were born in Holland and came to America with their
parents in childhood. They were married in Wisconsin and lived in that state
until 1879, when the family migrated to Washington county, Oregon. Mr.
Vangreensven engaged successfully in farming in this county. He died at the age
of fifty-three but his wife survived for a number of years, being called away at
the age of seventy-eight. To them eleven children were born: Anna; Elizabeth,
now Mrs. Henry Vandehey; John; Mary; Theodore; Nellie, who is deceased; Hattie;
Dora; William; Mary Ann; and Delia, who died at the age of two years. Mr. and
Mrs. Vandehey are the parents of twelve children, as follows: Nellie, who was
born September 12, 1876, and is the wife of Frank Vandonelen, of Washington
county; Harriet, who was born November 1, 1877, and resides at home; Bertha, who
was born December 19,'1879, and is the wife of Harry Bryans, of Salem; Anna,
born March 9, 1882, who married John Herb; Mary, who was born February 17, 1884,
and is now the wife of Henry Vandonelen, of Washington county; William, who was
born February 5, 1888, and resides at home; Clara, born June 21, 1891; Lawrence,
who was born November 12, 1895, and is also at home; Raymond, born November 24,
1897; Julius, born March 11, 1900; and two daughters who were named Julia,
deceased.
     Mr. Vandehey is a stanch advocate of the democratic party and casts his
ballot in support of its candidates and principles. He was reared in the
Catholic faith and he and his family belong to that denomination. Energy,
perseverance and thrift are recognized the world over as the foundation of
material prosperity and these three qualities are possessed by Mr. Vandehey. He
enjoys the esteem of many friends and fully deserves the honor that is accorded
the fortunate individual who has fought and won in the great battle of life.


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Submitted to the Oregon Bios. Project in April 2007 by Diana Smith. Submitter
has no additional information about the person(s) or family mentioned above.