BESSIE (VAN GORDER) GREEN

Bessie (Van Gorder) Green gravestone
(Photo by Vernon B. Paddock

B. February 1891 in New York
D. 1955 in Elgin, Kane County, IL
Find A Grave memorial (click here)

  • Father: Fletcher M. Van Gorder born January 31, 1868 in Elmira, Chemung County, NY, son of Henry B. Van Gorder (1826-1910) and Harriet B. (Murray) Van Gorder (1826-1894); married (1) Mable Tyrell on April 18, 1888 in Elmira, Chemung County, NY; married (2) Mary Alice Carpenter (1869-1951) on November 30, 1905 in Cheshire, Berkshire County, MA; Fletcher died September 13, 1934 in New York City, NY

According to the North Adams Transcript (North Adams MA) Friday, September 14, 1934, page 21:

“Cheshire News
Fletcher M. Van Gorder

   Word has been received here of the death yesterday of Fletcher M. Van Gorder of Brooklyn, N. Y., following a long illness.  Mr. and Mrs. Van Gorder had returned to their home in Brooklyn on Monday, following a month’s visit here.  Born in Elmira, N. Y., on January 31st, 1868, Mr. Van Gorder was the son of the late Henry and Harriet Van Gorder.  He attended the public schools in Elmira and was graduated from the Elmira academy at the age of 16 years.  After finishing school he went to work for the Richardson Shoe company where he remained for several years, later took a course in pattern making and designing women’s fine shoes.  He followed his trade until 1926 when his health failed.  Few shoemen were known from coast to coast then Mr. Van Gorder.  He was a member of the Upton lodge of Masons of this town.  He is survived by his widow, Mary Alice Carpenter Van Gorder, formerly of this town, two brothers, Charles M. of Boone, Iowa, and Robert B. of Wichita, Kan., and a sister, Miss Sarah Van Gorder of Washington D. C.  The body will be brought to this town on Saturday to the home of Mrs. Lois Dunn of Dean street where a private funeral will be held on Sunday.  Rev. John L. Sherman, pastor of the Congregational church, will officiate.”

  • Mother: Mable Esther (Tyrell) (Van Gorder) Smith born December 4, 1869 in Elmira, Chemung County, NY, daughter of Milas O. “Miles” Tyrell (1845-1905) and Susan (Liddy) Tyrell; married (1) Fletcher Van Gorder on April 18, 1888 in Elmira, Chemung County, NY; married (2) John F. Smith (1881-1946) on June 6, 1910 in Chicago, Cook County, IL; Mable died October 12, 1931 in Hastings, Barry County, MI; Mable and John are buried in Hastings Township Cemetery, Hastings, Barry County, MI

According to the U.S., City Directories, 1822-1895 (Elmire, New York, City Directory, 1899:

“Van Gorder Mabel, widow Fletcher M, dressmaker, h 129 Penna ave”

According to the Detroit Free Press (Detroit MI) Wednesday, December 24, 1902, page 7:

   “Judge Mandell – Mabel Van Gorder vs. Edward F. Van Gorder; decree signed and filed.”

  1. Mabel E. (Green) Harraman born December 23, 1912; married (1) John Evans; married (2) Robert B. Harraman (1912-1988); Mabel died August 24, 1982 in Highland Park, Lake County, IL; buried in Elmwood Cemetery, River Grove, Cook County, IL

According to the Call-Leader (Elmwood IL) Thursday, September 2, 1982, page 6:

“MABEL HARRAMAN

   Mabel E. (Green) Harraman, 69, Fox Lake, IL died in Highland Park, IL Aug. 24.
   A native of Chicago, IL, she was born Dec. 23, 1912.
   Survivors include her husband, Robert B. Harraman; one son, John C. Evans Jr. of Elwood (sic); one daughter, Barbara E. Crofoot of Carpentersville, IL; two brothers; two sisters; four grandchildren; and five great grandchildren.
   Burial was at the Elmwood Cemetery, River Grove, IL.”

2. Robert Elmer Green born July 13, 1917 in Chicago, Cook County, IL; married LaVergne; Robert died September 16, 1992 in Allegan, Allegan County, MI

3. John Elmer Green born March 23, 1921 in Chicago, Cook County, IL; married Anna Bakovich; John died July 9, 1994 in Berwyn, Cook County, IL; buried in Resurrection Catholic Cemetery, Justice, Cook County, IL

According to the Life (Berwyn IL) Wednesday, July 13, 1994, page 24:

“John E. Green
   John E. Green, 73, a 37-year Stickney resident, died Saturday in MacNeal Hospital in Berwyn.
   A Mass was said yesterday in St. Pius X church in Stickney.  Interment was in Resurrection Cemetery in Justice.  Arrangements were made by Suburban Family Funeral Home in Cicero
   Mr. Green was a truck driver for Century Mercury Motors in Chicago before retiring.
   He was a member of the Disable American Veterans’ the Stickney Police Association; and a former 15-year member of the Stickney police reserves.
   Mr. Green enjoyed working in his garden and watching the Chicago White Sox.
   Survivors include his wife, Anna; one daughter, Vivian Schuler; two sisters, Dorothy Lyons and Helen Walterhouse; and two grandchildren.”

  1. Dorothy Mae (Green) Lyons born September 7, 1923 in Chicago, Cook County, IL; married Thomas Lyons on Janury 6, 1944 in Cook County, IL; Dorothy died September 30, 2000
  2. Helen Janette (Green) (Richidella) (Santore) (Rich) Walterhouse born June 30, 1926 in Chicago, Cook County, IL; married (1) Edward Richidella on March 6, 1948 in Cook County, IL; married (2) Santore about 1959; married (3) Rich about 1973; married (4) Walt Walterhouse; Helen died September 4, 1997 in Fayette County, GA

According to the Atlanta Constitution (Atlanta GA) Saturday, October 4, 1997, page 32:

“Sept. 5
   A mundane trip to get a haircut ended in death for Helen J. Walterhouse, 71, of Brooks, a small town in southern Fayette County.  She got in her family’s 1995 Chevy S-10 pickup and headed down Ga. 85 Connector, traveling only a short distance before the truck ran off the left side of the road, struck an embankment and then a utility pole.  She wasn’t wearing a seat belt.”

  • Siblings (child of Fletcher M. Van Gorder and Mable (Tyrell) Van Gorder):
    • Sydney Van Gorder born September 2, 1893 in Elmira, Chemung County, NY; married Rosa D. Metcalf (1894-1982) on November 4, 1914 in Chicago, Cook County, IL; Sidney died February 19, 1962; Sidney and Rosa are buried in Hastings Township Cemetery, Hastings, Barry County MI
  • Step Siblings (child of John F. Smith and Mable (Tyrell) Smith):
    • Fern Charlotte (Smith) Tischer born December 11, 1911; married Gerald Henry Tischer on January 16, 1932 in Lansing, Ingham County, MI; Fern died June 1, 2005; Fern and Gerald are buried in Lakeside Cemetery, Lake Odessa, Ionia County, MI

According to the Sentinel-Standard (Ionia MI) June 3, 2005:

“Fern C. Tischer
   Fern C. Tischer, age 93, of Lake Odessa, went Home to be with her Lord on Wednesday afternoon, June 1, 2005.
   Fern was a long-time resident of the Lake Odessa area and had resided at Emerson Manor since 1994.  She had been a faithful and devoted member of the Lake Odessa Grace Brethren Church for over 55 years; she joyfully served wherever she was called.  Fern loved music and accompanied several groups throughout the years.  She enjoyed the Emerson Manor Bible Club, had been a member of the Alto Graden Club, and served as the treasurer of the Carlton Center School Board.
   Fern is survived by her children, Janet (Joseph) Okrei of Gaylord, Linda (Arnold) Erb of Lake Odessa, Ann Marie (Paul) Karrar of Hastings, and Corwin (Kay) Tischer of Lake Odessa; many grandchildren and great-grandchildren; her beloved church family, and her many dear friends at Emerson Manor.
   She was preceded in death by her husband, Gerald; parents, John and Mabel Smith; and son, Cameron Tischer.
   Visitation is 2 p.m. to 4 p.m. and 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. Friday at Koops Funeral Chapel in Lake Odessa.
   Burial will be in Lakeside Cemetery.
   The family has suggested that memorial contributions may be made to the Lake Odessa Grace Brethren Church or the Lakewood Community Ambulance.”

Additional Information:

According to the 1892 New York, State Census for Elmira, Chemung County, NY, the household members were:

“Myles Terrell, age 48, occupation: carpenter; Susan Terrell, age 41; Mabel Van Gorder, age 22; Fred Terrell, age 19, occupation: painter; Mary J. Terrell, age 12; Nettie Terrell, age 9; Eugene Terrell, age 7; Bessie Van Gorder, age 1”

According to the 1900 U.S. Census for City of Elmira, Chemung County, NY living at 221 South Main St., the household members were:

“Mabel Van Gorder, head, born December 1869, age 30,married for 11 years, 2 children born, 2 children living, born in New York, parents born in New York, occupation: dress maker; Bessie Van Gorder, daughter, born February 1891, age 9, single, born in New York, father born in Pennsylvania, mother born in New York; Sidney Van Gorder, son, born September 1892, age 7, single, born in New York”

According to the 1910 U.S. Census for Chicago, Cook County, IL living at 201 Throop St., the household members were:

“John F. Smith, head, age 30, married once, married 2 years, born in Illinois, father born in Illinois, mother born in Germany, occupation: painter – house; Mable Smith, wife, age 39, married twice for 2 years, 2 children born, 2 children living, born in New York, father born in Pennsylvania, mother born in New York, occupation: housework; Bessie Green, daughter, age 19, married once for 9/12 years, born in New York, parents born in New York, occupation: housework; John C. Green, son-in-law, age 24, married once for 9/12 years, born in Maryland, parents born in New York, occupation: machinist – machine shop; Sidney, Van Gorder, son, age 16, single, born in New York, occupation: office pay; (illegible) Carlson, lodger, age 20, single, born in Sweden, parents born in Sweden, immigrated in 1907, occupation: blacksmith; John V. Rummel, lodger, age 24, single, born in Maryland, parents born in Germany, occupation: painter – house”

According to the 1920 U.S. Census for Chicago City, Cook County, IL living at 118 Honore Street So., the household members were:

“Elmer J. Green, head, age 31, married, born in Maryland, parents born in Ireland, occupation: metal worker – metal worker; Bessie Green, wife, age 26, married, born in New York, parents born in New York, occupation: trimmer – paper & paint co.; Mabel E. Green, daughter, age 7, single, born in Illinois; Robert E. Green, son, age 2 4/12, single, born in Illinois”

According to the 1930 U.S. Census for Chicago City, Cook County, IL living at 2648 Adams St., the household members were:

“Elmer Green, head, age 44, married at age 23, born in Maryland, parents born in Maryland, occupation: decorator – print paper hanging; Bessied Green, wife, age 39, married at age 18, born in New York, parents born in New York; Robert Green, son, age 12, single, born in Illinois; Mable Green, daughter, age 17, single, born in Illinois, occupation: telephone operator – telephone co.; Dorothy Green, daughter, age 6, single, born in Illinois; Helen Green, daughter, age 3, single, born in Illinois; Elmer Green, son, age 9, single, born in Illinois”

According to the 1940 U.S. Census for Chicago City, Cook County, IL living at 509 So. Bell St., the household members were:

“Elmer Green, head, age 53, married highest grade completed: 2, born in Maryland, lived in same place in 1935, occupation: punch press – hairpins; Bessie Green, wife, age 49, married, highest grade completed: 8, born in New York lived in same place in 1935; Robert Green, son, age 23, single, highest grade completed: H1, born in Illinois, lived in same place in 1935, occupation: mechanic – auto garage; John Green, son, age 19, single, highest grade completed: H2, born in Illinois, lived in same place in 1935, occupation: repair man – automobiles; Dorthy (sic) Green, daughter, age 16, single, highest grade completed: H3, born in Illinois, lived in same place in 1935; Helen Green, daughter, age 13, single, highest grade completed: 7, born in Illinois, lived in same place in 1935”

According to the 1950 U.S. Census for Chicago, Cook County, IL living at 509 Bell, the household members were:

“John E Green, head, age 65, married, born in Maryland, Occupation: Punch Press Operator – Radio Parts Factory; Bessie Green, wife, age 58, married, born in New York, Was he living in this same house a year ago?: Yes, What country were his father and mother born in?: U.S., What is the highest grade of school that he has attended?: S8, Did he finish this grade?: No; John E Green, son, age 28, divorced, born in Illinois, Occupation: Truck driver – Cartage Co.”

According to the Lake County Illinois Genealogical Society obituary collection:

“MRS BESSIE GREEN
   ROUND LAKE – Mrs. Bessie Green, 64, of Round Lake, died yesterday in an Elgin hospital after a long sickness.
   Surviving are her husband, Elmer, 2 sons, Robert and Elmer, both of Chicago; 3 daughters, Mrs. Helen Rich of Chicago, and Mrs. Mable Harraman and Mrs. Dorothy Lyons, both of Round Lake; a brother, Sydney VanGorder of Grand Rapids, Michigan and 8 grandchildren.
   Funeral service will be held at 2:30 P.M. Monday from the Fox Lake Funeral Home with the Rev. Stephen Laddicoat officiating.  Burial will be in the Fort Hill Cemetery.  Friends may call at the funeral home after 7 P.M. today.”