Jacob VanGilder, Jr., son of Jacob VanGilder and Anna Margaret Kibler, was born on January 20, 1797 in Maryland. As a young boy he removed to Monongalia County (West) Virginia with is family. On April 25, 1825, in Monongalia County, he married Sarah R. McElroy, the daughter of Irish immigrants, Thomas and Elisabeth McElroy. Sarah was born on June 11, 1797 in Maryland.
Jacob was a farmer and may have had a piece of property in southern Monongalia County, in the Mt. Pisgah Church vicinity, near Smithtown Hill. The area where he farmed and began to raise his children became Marion County in 1842. The VanGilder�s had three known children before Jacob died in the late 1840�s. The location of his burial might be Johnson Cemetery on Route 73, six miles northwest of Fairmont, West Virginia. There is a tombstone in the cemetery marked Jacob VanGilder with no dates.
As a widow at thirty-six years of age, Sarah continued to care for her children. She stayed in the Monongalia/Marion County area where she had plenty of family to help her during rough times. There are no records to tell us how she supported her family, but the 1850 Federal Census indicates that she had $1800 in real estate. As an older woman, Sarah lived with her married daughter, Eliza Jenkins, in Grafton, Taylor County, West Virginia. She died on February 8, 1881, at the age of eighty-four, from injuries sustained from a fall on the ice. Sarah VanGilder is buried in Union Cemetery, between Independence and Gladesville, in Preston County, West Virginia.
Children of Jacob VanGilder and Sarah R. McElroy;
JOHN OLIPHANT VANGILDER b. February 22, 1829 in Monongalia County, (West) Virginia d. February 19, 1904 in Morgantown, West Virginia married MARY LOUISE HILL on July 14, 1853.
Unlock the VanGilder Treasure Chest!
Return to Jacob and Anna Margaret Kibler VanGilder Page
Go to Alphabetized Surname List Page
Go to Photograph and Documents Page
Go to Reunions and Family Gatherings Page
