STORY OF ABRAHAM C. VAN PELT
Abraham
C. Van Pelt, a prosperous merchant
and planter, was born in Cabarrus County, N.C.
on August 22, 1834, the son of Abraham
and Jane REED Van Pelt. His father was also a native of
N.C.,
born in the year 1786, and descended from Dutch ancestors, who settled in
N.Y. at an early date
of this Country's history. Abraham and Jane
Van Pelt were married about 1808 in N.C., and became
the parents of 10 children. Only 4 being named;
Emiline, who married Allen Shive;
Teresa, who married
Edward Litaker;
Samuel F. and Abraham C.
Abraham or Jane never moved to Alabama but died
in their native State in 1856 & 1862.
At the age of 21, Abraham C.
Van Pelt went to Columbus Ga., and followed
the mercantile business for
about a year, then moved to Chambers Co. Ala. and stayed about 5 years doing the
same. Subsequently he
embarked in merchandising in BUTLER County at OAKEY STREAK, and had a prosperous
trade until 1862
when he enlisted in Clanton's Calvary Company, but shortly thereafter procured a
substitute and joined the Artillery Service at Fort Morgan. His first engagement
was the battle of Mobile, which commenced August 4, 1862, and continued until
the surrender 21 days later, during that time, Mr. Van pelt was under continuous
fire.
After his capture, he was sent to New Orleans and
thence to Elmira, N.Y., where he was help prisoner
until the end of the war, returning home in June 1865. On his return he at
once engaged in the timber and
lumber business which he carried on for 2 years, and in 1868 he commenced
farming, which he carried on
with great success. His plantation was a magnificient tract of land, embracing
an area of 1,200 acres. He
was an honorable and upright citizen in the community where he so long resided,
though not identified with
any religious organization, the Presbyterian church represents his creed. He had
an active interest in the democratic party and Masonic fraternity, of which he
was a member.
In the year 1863, in Butler County,
Mr. Van Pelt and Miss Louisa OWENS, daughter
of
Robert E. Owens, were made man & wife, and
their union resulted in the birth of eleven children:
Frank, Willie, Homer, Jennie, Hiram, Oscar, Ula,
Neal, Laura, Carrie and Herman.
Reference: Memorial Record of Alabama, Troy State Univ. Libr. Troy Al. Vol.1