Most of these articles were published in the late 19th and early 20 century in local histories. If you run across any that are not included below, please consider typing it up and contributing it to the web site. *Note: Although a valuable source, these histories are less accurate as subjects recount more than one or two previous generations.
LE ROY VAN TASSEL
From Holland to America came the founders of the Van Tassel family in 1795,
and settled in the beautiful valley of the Hudson, where their descendants lived
for several generations. Luke Van Tassel, the father of our subject, was born
on the banks of that river, and at the age of seventeen years became a fifer
boy in the war of 1812. He subsequently removed to Lorain County, Ohio, afterward
to Indiana, and was engaged in making castor oil, and later became a resident
of Wood County. In 1836 he took up his residence in Plain Township, near Bowling
Green, whence he removed to Missionary Station farm. He afterward lived at Waterville,
and later at Turkey Foot Creek for two years; also two years on the Hedges farm.
In 1849, he purchased sixty acres, on which our subject now resides. He was
married in 1818, at Chautauqua, N. Y., to Sallie Richmond, and they became the
parents of eleven children, namely: Amelia, first the wife of Francis T. Lane,
deceased, then the wife, of A. H. Plant, deceased; Lyman; Ann, wife-of Josiah
Kuder; Silas, of McClure, Ohio; Isaac, and Olive, deceased; Harriet, wife of
Hiram West; Sidney; Le Roy; Luman and Reuben. The father of the subject of this
sketch died December 2, 1969, on the farm in Washington, township, and the mother
on September 29, 1894.
Our subject was born in Lorain County, Ohio, May 11, 1834, and was educated
in the district schools. He became a mechanical engineer, and for fifteen years
was employed as head sawyer in some of the principal sawmills of his and adjoining
counties. The pursuits of civil life, however, were interrupted May 2, 1864,
by his service as a member of Company B, 144th Regiment, 0. V. I., in the Civil
war. He was discharged on August 31, following, and on his return home engaged
in farming.
Mr. Van Tassel was married July 20, 1862, to Martha Alcorn, and to the union
were born seven children, as follows: Carrie, born July 5, 1863, now the wife
of James McWilliams, by whom she has three children ; Willard, born October
10, 1864, is a resident of Toledo, Ohio; Helen, deceased; Effie J., born October
4, 1867, now the wife of William Hariman; Laura E., born February 8, 1869; Florence,
born September 27, 1870, wife of Herbin Gill; and Lulu, born December 24, 1889.
Mr. Van Tassel is a warm friend to the cause of education, and for six years
served as school director. He is a member of the Grange, of which he served
as master one year, and chaplain two years. In politics he is a Republican,
and socially is connected with Neibling Post, No. 20, G. A. R., of Weston. He
and his wife are members of the Baptist Church, and are most highly esteemed
people. They have a pleasant home in the midst of a highly improved farm, and
their friends throughout the community are many.
Source: Commemorative Historical and Biographical Record of Wood Count, Ohio,
Chicago: H. H. Beers & Co., pp. 550-551.