Peter Van Buren, proprietor of the Vernon Mills, was born Oct. 29, 1808, in Schenectady Co., NY; he is the son of Henry and Dorathy (Hollenbeck) Van Buren; the family is of the old Holland stock; Mr. Van Buren lost his father when a child and his mother at 17 years of age; thrown thus upon the world, he for years, when it was most needed, did not know the blessing of a home.

He married in Albany Co., NY, Miss Isabella, daughter of John and Catherine Sharp; she was born in Guilderland, Albany Co., and resided there until married in March, 1835; in 1844, they came to Wisconsin, Mr. Van Buren buying the farm on Sec. 9, where his youngest son now lives; the giant trees with which it was covered, were cut by Mr. VAn Buren, rolled up and burned in log heaps, he then doing the work which told upon his tough and hardy constitution; he has steadily prospered, however, and made a competence; after leaving his farm he spent a short time in Vernon Valley, then removed to a farm now occupied by Hy Groute, where he lived nine years; the mill fell into his hands through the failure of his former owner; this mill has been completely over hauled and repaired by him, and is now for sale at the most liberal terms, as Mr. Van Buren does not want the care it entails upon him.

He is a Democrat. Mr. and Mrs. Van Buren are a hale and hearty old couple and a type of the energetic and successful New Yorkers, who have made Wisconsin what it is; they have three children all settled near them; John and Catherine were born in "York State," while Henry is a Badger by birth, John married Miss Sarah Carmichael who died leaving him to sons; his present wife, formerly Anna Platts has a son; Catherine is a soldier's widow, her husband, John Howile, having laid down his life on the altar of his country, leaving an honorable and brave record to his two children; Henry married Miss Isabella Carmichael, by whom he has two children, having lost his eldest.