William Vandever (1817 - 1893)

Born 31 Mar 1817 in Baltimore, Maryland, United States

Died 23 Jul 1893 at age 76 in Ventura, Ventura, California, United States

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Biography

William Vandever is Notable.

William Vandever was an American lawyer, politician and soldier. Vandever was a Brevet Major General in the Union Army during the Civil War. Vandever was a member of the United States House of Representatives representing Iowa and later, California. Vandever helped establish Yosemite and Sequoia National Parks.

Preceded by Timothy Davis

U.S. House of Representatives Ipwa 2nd Congressional District March 4, 1859 – March 3, 1863

Succeeded by Hiram Price

Preceded by Henry H. Markham

U.S. House of Representatives California 6th Congressional District March 4, 1887 – March 3, 1891

Succeeded by William W. Bowers

Early Life

William Vandever was born in 1817, in Baltimore, Maryland. ^[1] He was the son of William Vandever and Margaret (Denike) Vandever. ^[2]

In 1839, Vanever was a surveyor in Rock Island. In 1851, Vanever moved to Dubque and continued work as a surveyor. Later Vandever began the practice of law. In 1858, Vandever was elected to Congress from the Iowa's 2nd District and was re=elected in 1860. In 1861, Vandever left his seat in Congress to enter the military. ^[3]

Military Service

• Civil War
  

  Brigadier General William Vandever served in the United States Civil War.
  Enlisted: Aug 30, 1861
  Mustered out: Aug 24, 1865
  Side: USA
  Regiment(s): F & S, 9th Regiment, Iowa Infantry

On August 30, 1861, William Vandever was commissioned as Colonel in command of the 9th Regiment, Iowa Infantry. ^[4] Colonel Vandever commanded the 2nd Brigade at the Battle of Pea Ridge. On November 29, 1862, Colonel Vandever was promoted to Brigadier General. General Vandever teamed up with General Sherman to fight in the battles of Kennesaw Mountain, Atlanta and Ezra Church. He rejoined General Sherman to fight at the Battle of Bentonville. Brigadier General Vandever was brevetted Major General in 1865.^[5]

Post War

After the War, Vandever resumed his practice of law. In 1873, Vandever was appointed United States Indian Inspector by President Grant. In 1884, Vandever moved to California. He was elected to the 50th Congress representing the California 6th District. He was re-elected to the 51st Congress. ^[5]

Major General William Vandever passed away in 1893. He was buried at Ivy Lawn Memorial Park, Ventura, California. ^[1]

Memorials

William Vandever has a bust at Vicksburg Military Park. ^[6]

Sources

1. ↑ ^{1.0 1.1} Find a Grave, database and images (https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/5897045/william-vandever: accessed 28 November 2023), memorial page for Brig General William Vandever (31 Mar 1817–23 Jul 1893), Find a Grave Memorial ID 5897045, citing Ivy Lawn Memorial Park, Ventura, Ventura County, California, USA; Maintained by Find a Grave.
2. ↑ Family Tree, database with images, FamilySearch.org, The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, Record for Brig. Gen. William Vandever, ID KH5Y-YQJ. https://www.familysearch.org/tree/person/details/KH5Y-YQJ?completedMergeDuplicateId=MYVV-ZYS
3. ↑ History of Iowa From the Earliest Times to the Beginning of the Twentieth Century/4/William Vandever. https://en.wikisource.org/wiki/History_of_Iowa_From_the_Earliest_Times_to_the_Beginning_of_the_Twentieth_Century/4/William_Vandever
4. ↑ Fold3, William Vandever (https://www.fold3.com/memorial/661876828/william-vandever-civil-war-stories/facts : accessed November 29, 2023), database and images, https://www.fold3.com/memorial/661876828/william-vandever-civil-war-stories/facts
5. ↑ ^{5.0 5.1} William Vandever facts for kids, Kids Encyclopedia Facts. https://kids.kiddle.co/William_Vandever
6. ↑ Brig. Gen. Wm. Vandever, Vicksburg Military National Park, National Park Service. https://www.nps.gov/vick/learn/historyculture/brig-gen-wm-vandever.htm

See also:

• Wikipedia: William Vandever
• Wikidata: Item Q2580869