Wayne County Press
Thursday, September 19, 1901

One by one the old settlers of Fairfield are passing away. The last one to obey the final earthly summons was W. H. VandeWater, Esq., whose death occurred at 4:30 o'clock Tuesday afternoon. He had been in poor health for several years and his death was not unexpected.

He was born in New York City, Nove. 25, 1828, and was therefore 72 years ?? months and 22 years old at the time of his death. His parents removed to Cincinnati, Ohio, when he was two years old, where he grew to manhood and received a good education in Woodward college. He engaged in the drug business in Cincinnati and remained there until 1853, when he went to St. Louis, where he was employed as a bookkeeper by different firms until 1860. During the next few years he was located in Kansas, Idaho, and on the Pacific coast, accumulating some property, which he later lost while engaged in business in Missouri.

In 1870 he located in Fairfield, where he remained until his death. He was engeged in the drug business here for a time and was Deputy Circuit Clerk for three years. He also served several terms as Justice of the Peace, which place he occupied at the time of his decease. In earlier years he was a Democrat but during the past seven or eight years he affiliated with the Republican party.

Mr. VandeWater was twice married. His first wife was Miss Anna E. Stuart, whom he married in St. Louis, Oct. 20, 1857. She died Feb. 3, 1871, leaving two children, Hattie E. and Walter A. VandeWater. The daughter married C. B. Rider and passed away some years ago. Mr. VandeWater was married the second time June 25, 1887, to Miss Eliza C. Bradshaw, who died March 7, 1892.

A few years since, while attending the U. S. court in Springfield as a juror, he was stricken with paralysis. While his condition improved to a certain extent, he was never again like his former self, physically.

Mr. VandeWater was an agreeable companion and his education and travel made him an excellent conversationalist even up to a few days before his death. He suffered much pain in the last few years of his life, but his cheerfulness was remarkable even when his body was racked with pain. He left many friends who deeply mourn his departure.

The funeral will occur today (Thursday) and the interment will be in the new cemetery.