Our
columns this week contain the announcement of the death of Col.
Benjamin VanNorman, who died very suddenly at his residence, in Tilsonburg,
on Friday evening.
By his death the County loses
one of its oldest inhabitants; in fact, he was, at the time of his
demise, the oldest settler in the township of Dereham.
A native of the State of New
York, Mr. V., with his brother Joseph cane to Canada from Canandaigua
in the year 1821, when they settled at Normandale,
Lake Erie, and carried on extensive iron works known as the "Long
Point Furnace."
In 1825 deceased came to
Tilsonburg, where his father-in-law, Mr. Tilson, had located a short
time before. Here he purchased a location, and afterwards went back to
Normandale.
In 1828 he took up his
permanent residence in Tilsonburg, and has been ever since identified
with the progress and improvement of the place.
He was a man well known
throughout the county, and filled most of the public local positions
in the gift of the people, Warden, &c., and discharged all the
duties incumbant thereto with ability and integrity.
By his death Tilsonburg loses
one of its most disinterested [sic] and public spirited
citizens; his family a hind, affectionate husband and parent.
His remains were followed to
the grave in Tilsonburg on Tuesday by an immense concourse of
sympathizing friends -- every place of business in the village being
closed. -- Ingersol Chronicle.
