DeWitt Clinton Van Wey (1834 - 1906)

Great Grandfather Maternal Side

DeWitt Clinton Van Wey was born in Athens County, Ohio about 1834 (exact date is unknown but it is believed to be any where from October through December) to Richard Stuphin and Catherine Lord Van Wey. His family moved to Panola Couty, Texas before the 1850 U.S. Census. He and his siblings attended school there. By 1855, the family had moved to a small town northwest, called Rosalie in Red River County.

Red River County Voter's Registration 1867-1869 states that he resided in county for 18 years.

D.C. was educated as he signed several legal documents during his stay in Rusk & Panola Counties. According to census records, he was a farmer.

In June, 1861 he enlisted in the Rosalie Guards as a Private, 8th Brigade of the Texas Calvary. D.C. was discharged on March 7, 1862.

Rosalie Guards, Red River County

This History of Clarksville

From March until October 1871, during Reconstruction, he is listed as a Private in the State Police.

Pay stub for State Police Force

From what I can gather, he lived with his parents during this entire time. While his father was ill, D.C. was the Deputy Post Master.

Around 1879 at the age of 44, D.C. married Anna Jane Goldberg who was 24. I can not find a marriage license for them. She was the daughter of Rev. Charles A. and Mary Ann Doe Goldberg. Together they had the following children:

1. Claudia P. Van Way (1880-1947); married George Robert Thomasson
2. Charles Rufus Vanwey (1884-1930); married Vona F. Minshew
3. Sullivan Ross Vanway (1886-1963); married Geneva Lansyone
4. Lydia Kate Vanway (1888-1977); married Fred Wadsley
5. Allie May Vanway (1892-1964); married Loyad M. Sullivan
6. Cora Cornelia "Pearl" Van Wey (1894-1937); married William Ralphus Hutsen

It might seem like D.C. was the unlucky sort. He is mentioned several times having a law suit brought against him. The first incident was against his father, though D.C. was collecting on Promissory Notes in his father's name. The case was eventually settled by the Supreme Court of Texas - Casey v. March.

Texas Supreme Court Ruling

Another incident was Amos Morrill vs D.C. Van Wey, et al., where the judgment was in D.C.'s favor. I could not find what this case was about.

The last that I have found happened in September, 1902 where D.C did not file his application to purchase 85.88 acres of agricultural land at $2.00 per acre. His address was still listed as Rosalie, Texas.

DeWitt Clinton Van Wey died on June 29, 1906 about 5:00 am near Rosalie of Pericarditis caused by Rheumatic Fever. His death certificate listed his age at 79 years 9 months. He is thought to be buried in Cuthand Cemetery but he is not listed. 

D.C. Van Wey Death Certificate

Sources:

1. Texas, Voter Registration Lists, 1867-1869; Ancestry.com
2. Texas Muster Rolls Index 1838-1900; Ancestry.com
3. http://www.rosstexascavalrybrigade.com/27thtexascavalryregiment/27tcrf.mht
4. The History of Clarksville & Old Red River County by Pat B. Clark; Mathis, Van Nort & Co.; Dallas, Texas; 1937; Page 154
5. http://texashistory.unt.edu/ark:/67531/metapth28543/.
6. Texas Death Certificates, 1903-1982; Ancestry