Van Amber Family - Van Amber Family Letter - page 2

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CS71V2182
1973
     I, Mrs. Anbrose Gaffancey, have done detailed research into the family on my father's side. I was born Florence Mary VanAmber at Truman, Mn.
     We can go back to burials at Alexandria Bay, New York, of a Matthew VanAmber in 1828, and a Mary VanAmber in 1847, These could be my great-grand-parent VanAmbers!

     There should be three VanAmber boys and one girl. Besides Grandfather George Wesley, there was James, a Methodist Minister, and the other, whose descendents we may have now found, but are still checking. The sister, Naomi, married a Taft and lived in Ohio. That is all we know of her.

     On May, 15, 1815 or 1816, George Wesley VanAmber was born on one of the Thousand Islands in the St. Lawrence River, Canadian Waters. We do not know which Island. Perhaps the birth record is in a Canadian courthouse.

     In a letter to me from Claribel VanAmber Joyce (now deceased), of Skaneatele New York, she heard some of the VanAmbers owned Wellesley Island in the Thousand Islands. From a letter of Hazel Simpson, the historian at Alexandria Bay. She said that is misinformation, since Wellesley Island is 8,068 acres. It was known as Well's Island after one of the early settlers.

     George W. VanAmber married Mary (maiden name unknown).. They lived at Saranac Lake, N.Y.. Lucetta(1843-), Harvey(15 Jan. 1844- 28 Mar. 1847), George(1846-1847), Harriet(1848-1927), possibly Lester(1850-1850), were born- in N.Y. State--exactly where we don't know-), and Delbert Eugene(ere we don't know. Harvey and George Jr. died as babies. At least one is said by father to be buried at Saranac Lake. During World War II, I visited a few times at Lake Placid, famous resort, near Saranac Lake. I often think of the beautiful country there in the Adirondick Mts.

     In 1850-51, George VanAmber and family moved West by way of the Great Lakes History books tell us many people traveled by way of the Great Lakes in those days because of the cheap means of transportation.

     The family settled at Green Lake, Wisconsin. Lucetta is listed in the 1860 census at Wisc. Hist. Society, but we have no idea what happened to her. She was 17 then. David(1851-1929), Charles(1853-1935). and Delbert Eugene(1856-185?) were born here. Delbert Eugene died a few months after birth. We do not know were he is buried. In years gone by, markers weren't always put on graves--especially for babies.

     In 1863, the VanAmber family left Green Lake, Wisc., and moved to Nashvill Township, Martin County, several miles East of Truman, Minnesota.

     Harriet VanAmber and Albert Winch were married here. They had seven children: Orville, lived at Onamia, Mn.; Harvey, lived at Winnebago, Mn.; Mrs. M. W. Berman lived in Miami, Florida; Mrs. G. Erdman, lived at Amboy, Mn.; Mrs Omar Lund, Dawson, Mc.; and Mrs. R. H. Cramer, at Winnebago, Mn.. I have no records of their families.

     David VanAmber and wife lived in Truman, where he operated an elevator at time. Several children were born here---They later live in Joplin, Missouri. David is buried in Westford Cemetery, East of Truman, beside his wife.

     Charles VanAmber, and family, lived in Montana where he is buried. They had 5 children: Lulu (Mrs. Silas Manley), who had Leon, Charles, Lloyd, Dorothy, and Betty; Jessie (Mrs. Wilbur Gumpert), no children; Myrtle (Mrs. Chester Wilson had Russell-killed in War, Lucille, lives in Brazil; Vern (Mrs. McCrackin), had Mary Ellen, Alden, Darrel, and Earl; Margaret (Mrs. Sheppard), had Dade, Dell, Bob, and Florence. Most of these live around Great Falls, Montana.

     We are gradually learning of grandmother Abigail's ancestry. Her mother (my great-grandmother), was Lucy Lewis (13 Dec. 1796-17 July 1872). Of Lucy's husband, I only know the first initial of his first name is "S". Lucy Lewis was born in Vermont. The family lived in Lower Canada, where several children were born. They then lived in Dayton, Green County, Wisconsin. Lucy Lewis is buried just inside the gate in East Dayton Cemetery, Dayton, Wisc. There is a broken stone at her grave. Lucy's son Melvin F. Lewis and wife Nancy, have a son named Clarence L. Lewis buried a short distance from Lucy. He died July 29, 18[??] 1 yr., 3 mos., 29 days.

     Melvin and Nancy Lewis later lived in Belle Creek Township, Goodhue County, Minnesota. They had a daughter Emerilla (Rilla), and sib born in 1867, not yes named in the letter of that is in my possession. Of this family, I

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