Shaver, F. A., Arthur P. Rose, R. F. Steele, and A. E. Adams, compilers.  "An
Illustrated History of Central Oregon." ("Embracing Wasco, Sherman, Gilliam,
Wheeler, Crook, Lake, & Klamath Counties")  Spokane, WA: Western Historical
Publishing Co., 1905.  p. 522.
 
MILON A. VAN GILDER

     The subject of this biographical sketch is a prosperous and successful
farmer living three miles west of Wasco. He was born in Livingston county, New
York, November 4, 1854. His father, Hiram Van Gilder, also a native of the
Empire State, born in Washington county, was a descendant of an old and
distinguished Holland family. Three brothers formed what was known as the "Van
Gilder Settlement." The father of Hiram was in the War of 1812 ; two of our
subject's brothers were killed in the Civil war; Thomas and Eli. The mother of
our subject, Juliet (Russell) Van Gilder, also a native of New York, born in
Hartford, Washington county, is a descendant of one of the oldest New England
families, a family that furnished two governors of Massachusetts. Hiram Van
Gilder, the father of our subject, died in Nunda, New York, in 1897. The mother
still lives at Perry, Wyoming county, New York.
     It was in the old Empire State that our subject was reared until 1889. He
became a farmer and carpenter, but came to Sherman county finally and purchased
four hundred acres of land. In 1904 he increased the estate to six hundred
acres. On this he erected a handsome, two-story house and large, well-appointed
barn. This was in 1897.
     March 26, 1884, at Nunda, Mr. Van Gilder was united in marriage to Miss
Jennie Porter, a native of New York, born February 15, 1864. Her parents,
Richard and Jane (Shephard) Porter, were also natives of New York state. Her
father was a descendant of the old. Porter family distinguished for many years
in American history. David Porter was an American naval officer, born at
Chester, Boston, Massachusetts, February 1, 1780, dying at Washington, March 3,
1843 ; David Dixon Porter was an American Admiral, son of the preceding, born at
Chester, Pennsylvania, June 8, 1813, and dying at Washington, D. C., February
13, 1891. Fitz-John Porter, distinguished in the Civil war, and a cousin of D.
D. Porter, was born at Portsmouth, New Hampshire, August 31, 1822. He was a
graduate of West Point and served as police commissioner of New York city from
1884 to 1888.
     Milon A. Van Gilder, our subject, has three brothers and one sister ;
Charles, in the ice business in New York city ; Frank, a farmer at Nunda, New
York ; Elmer, a cement manufacturer, at the same place ; Julia, wife of Herbert
Kenyon, of Perry, Wyoming county, New York. Mrs. Van Gilder has three brothers
and three sisters ; James, a Pennsylvania lumberman ; Albert, and Delbert,
farmers in Sherman county; Othelia, wife of George Knox, an attorney in Los
Angeles, California ; Julia, wife of William Clark, a carpenter at Mount Morris,
New York ; and Inez, wife of Morris Nash, of Sherman county. Mr. and Mrs. Van
Gilder have five children, Inez, Harry, Vernon, Bryan, and Darwin.
     It should not escape mention that Fort Porter, at Buffalo, New York, was
named after Commodore Porter, distinguished in the War of 1812.
     Fraternally Mr. Van Gilder is a member of Taylor Lodge, No. 99, of Wasco,
of which he is past master, the first master of the lodge, a charter member and
at present master. He has served as delegate to the grand lodge of the state.
Politically he is a Prohibitionist and as such has frequently served as delegate
to the county conventions of that party. He and his wife are members of the
United Brethren church.
     Our subject has a fine, though small orchard, and he owns several
three-quarter blood Percheron horses. He is one of the solid, substantial
business men of Sherman county, a broad-minded and liberal citizen in every
respect. His residence is built in a very desirable and eligible location,
surrounded by a spacious lawn which will, in the future, be irrigated.


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Submitted to the Oregon Bios. Project in May 2009 by Diana Smith.  Submitter has
no additional information about the person(s) or family mentioned above.