William Van Gorder, Civil War Veteran

Image Courtesy FindaGrave

William Van Gorder was born in the state of New York about 1821. In the 1850 U.S. Census, William was residing in Chemung County, New York, aged 28. His occupation was listed as  farmer. During the Civil War, William Van Gorder served with Company B of the New York Infantry, and later he served in Company D. of the 9^th U.S. Reserve Corps.  The first wife of William Van Gorder was Lorinda Westfall, who had been married to a Mr. Stedge before she wed Mr. Van Gorder. Lorinda died in 1875. She was buried in the West Carlton Cemetery in Barry County, Michigan.

After Lorinda’s death, William Van Gorder married Lorinda’s sister Eliza Jane. Eliza Jane Westfall had previously been married to Wheeler Nodine, and a Mr. Burr. A Westfall descendant stated that Eliza Jane and William Van Gorder separated in 1879. William Van Gorder died on February 24, 1898. He was buried next to his first wife Lorinda in Barry County, Michigan.

According to records at FamilySearch, Eliza J. Van Gorder applied for a 

Civil War widow’s pension. She filed for the pension in the state of Minnesota.

Eliza Jane Van Gorder died in 1903. She was buried in Frazee, Becker County, Minnesota. Her tombstone lists her name as Eliza J. Nodine.