Sedgwick County KSGenWeb

Portrait And Biographical Album of Sedgwick County, Kan.

Chapman Brothers 1888

Pages 984 - 985 

CHARLES A. VAN NESS. This gentleman, who is numbered among the citizens of Wichita who are enabled to live in retirement upon a competency, came to Southern Kansas in December, 1870, and homesteaded a quarter-section of land in Lincoln Township. Upon this he operated successfully, and at the same time, by industry and enterprise, and by his straightforward method of doing business, fully established himself in the confidence and esteem of his fellow-citizens.

            To more fully prove his standing among the people of the Thirteenth Judicial District, Mr. Van Ness was, in November, 1876, Clerk of the District Court of Sedgwick County, Kan., which office he held for ten years in succession. It should, however, be said that he was the first Trustee of Lincoln Township, in which office he served four years. For the duties thus thrust upon him Mr. Van Ness was eminently qualified, as he had served as Deputy County Treasurer two years prior to becoming Clerk of the Court. He is at present a member of the School Board of his district. His property includes valuable city real estate, and besides his handsome dwelling he has five other houses, the rents of which yield him a handsome income. The family residence is an elegant structure with beautiful surroundings, and in all its appliances indicates cultivated tastes and ample means.

            Our subject, the son of Nehemiah and Martha (Jackson) Van Ness, was born in Jefferson County, N. Y., May 25, 1838. His father was also a native of the Empire State, and born Nov. 8, 1790. He was a farmer by occupation, and served in the War of 1812 while a young man. A Deacon of the Presbyterian Church, and prominent in the township offices, he was widely and favorably known throughout Jefferson County, where he spent his entire life, and passed away in January, 1876. The mother, a native of Vermont, was born Sept. 17, 1794, and departed this life nineteen years before the decease of her husband, on the 8th of December, 1857. She sympathized entirely with her husband in his religious sentiments, being a devoted member of the same church. Their children were named respectively: James L., Sarah A., Lewis V., Lucenith, Pamelia, Margaret M., Henry, William H., and Charles A., our subject. But three of the family are living. William H. is a resident of Hamilton County, Iowa, and Lucenith, of Minneapolis, Minn.

            Mr. Van Ness, of this sketch, left his native State in 1856, removing to Minnesota, subsequently to Illinois, thence to Ohio, thence to Iowa. While a resident of Illinois he was married at Macomb, on the 11th of November, 1858, to Miss Maria J. Phelps, who was born in McDonough County, that State, Oct. 12, 1840. Of this union there are three children--Minnie M., Frederick W. and Louis C. They also have an adopted child, Alice, the daughter of Ingram Pace.

            The parents of Mrs. Van Ness, Joseph W. and Emily J. (Burns) Phelps, were natives of the State of Kentucky, and the mother of Scotch descent. This branch of the Burns family are lineal descendants of Robert Burns, the poet of Scotland. Joseph W. Phelps was born in 1810, and rested from his labors in 1846, passing away at his home in Linneus, Mo. He had learned the trade of tailor during his early manhood, and developed into a prominent and well-to-do citizen, being at the time of his death Sheriff of Linn County. He was also an Elder of the Christian Church. He had three brothers: George, who spent his entire life and died in his native county in Kentucky; William H., a resident of Macomb, Ill., a tailor by trade, and a member of the Christian Church; and James, who was the youngest, but whose whereabouts are not now known.

            The mother of Mrs. Van Ness married for her second husband Mr. Milton Sweeney, and there were born several children. Mr. and Mrs. Sweeney in about 1855 removed to Arkansas, where the death of Mr. S. took place in 1884. The mother still survives. Joseph W. Phelps was the father of three children: Mary E., who was born in 1837, was married to Mr. Ingram A. Pace, Sept. 29, 1853. Mr. Pace, a native of Cumberland County, Ky., was born July 24, 1829, and served as a soldier in the Union army three years. He was wounded at the battle of Chattanooga. His death took place at Macomb, Ill., on the 23d of April, 1881, from blood poisoning, the result of injuries received in the army, from which he never recovered. Mr. and Mrs. Pace were the parents of eleven children, namely: Milly A., Luella, Clarence A., Joseph W., Frank, Frederick J., Emily J., Sarah, Charles A., Beulah H. and Alice. Milly A., Emily and Beulah are deceased. Luella, on the 26th of December, 1878, was married to Mr. G. A. Hinkle, at Macomb, Ill., and departed this life at Mt. Hope, this State, May 20, 1887. Mrs. Pace removed from Illinois to Kansas about four years since, and is now a resident of Mt. Hope. She is a most worthy Christian lady, and at the early age of twelve years became a member of the Christian Church, since which time she has adorned her profession by a godly life and conversation.

            In politics Mr. Van Ness has since the beginning of the war been a stanch and influential Republican. When he came here he had but little means, but by good judgment and enterprise he soon laid the foundation for his subsequent wealth and competency.

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