Clark, Robert Carlton, Ph.D. "History of the Willamette Valley Oregon." Vol. 3. Chicago: Chapman Publishing Company, 1927. p. 151. WILLIAM W. VAN HANDEL A valuable ranch near Sublimity is the visible result of the untiring efforts and good management of William W. Van Handel, a practical farmer, whose identification with agricultural operations in Marion county covers a period of thirty-four years. He was born May 12, 1865, in Green Bay, Wisconsin, and his parents were Arnold and Mary Van Handel, the former a native of The Netherlands and the latter of Belgium. In 1850 the father made the voyage across the Atlantic and became one of the early settlers of Brown county, Wisconsin. He purchased a tract of timber land, on which he built a log house, and zealously applied himself to the task of clearing the place and preparing the soil for the rowing of crops. About 1897 he sold the property and migrated to Oregon, locating in the vicinity of Sublimity, where he engaged in ranching until his death in 1922. He is survived by the mother, who has attained the venerable age of eighty-seven years They had seven children who are now living: Mrs. Nettie Crump, William W. Anton, John, Mrs. Kate Senz, J. B. and Matthew. William W. Van Handel was educated in rural schools of Wisconsin and aided his father in developing the farm. He remained at home until he was twenty-three years of age and in 1888 sought the opportunities of Oregon, locating in Forest Grove. For six years he worked in logging camps and sawmills of that section of the state, saving as much as possible from his earnings, and in 1893 came to Marion county, purchasing one hundred and thirty-six acres of prairie land three miles northeast of Sublimity. Some buildings had been erected on the ranch and for some time Mr. Van Handel specialized in the growing of grain, in addition to which he now raises hay, corn and fruit. He has fourteen acres in strawberries and three acres in loganberries. The land is carefully tilled and yields good crops. Mr. Van Handel is also a successful dairyman and keeps thirty head of high grade Jersey cattle. He likewise raises poultry and has a flock of seven hundred hens which are cared for by his wife and daughters. He is constantly improving his property and in 1908 erected a modern home, a milk house, a silo and other outbuildings, all of which are substantially constructed. In 1913 he increased his farm by the purchase of eighty acres, adding a tract of forty acres in 1926, and his holdings now comprise two hundred and fifty-six acres of highly productive land. His equipment is up-to-date and his work is performed with businesslike precision and efficiency. In 1891 Mr. Van Handel married Miss Annie Hermens, a native of Wisconsin and a daughter of Martin and Dora Hermens. Her father came to Oregon in 1875 and purchased a ranch in Washington county. Subsequently he sold the place and went to California, in which state his wife passed away, but his demise occurred at the home of Mr. and Mrs. Van Handel. To Mr. and Mrs. Hermens were born five children, but Mary, the youngest, is deceased. The others are; Cornelius, William, Annie and John. Mr. and Mrs. Van Handel have a family of thirteen children, all of whom are natives of Oregon. The eldest, Mrs. Mary Spinner, is the mother of four sons : Willis, Joseph, Ben and Vincent. Arnold is at home. Mrs. Dora Spinner is the mother of two sons, Edward and Walter, The younger children of Mr. and Mrs. Van Handel are Martin, John, Minnie, Katie, Henry, Anton, Christina, Maggie, Willie and Edward. Mr. Van Handel's public spirit was expressed by twenty years of able service on the school board and he has also furthered the movement for good roads. He manifests a deep interest in matters touching the welfare and progress of his community, county and state and is accorded the respect due the upright, useful citizen. ******************* Submitted to the Oregon Bios. Project in April 2011 by Diana Smith. Submitter has no additional information about the person(s) or family mentioned above.