DAVID VAN GUNDY, farmer, Section 24, Township 19, Range 12, P. O. Neosho Rapids, was born in Ross County, Ohio, June 28, 1819. Thirteen years later his parents removed to Fountain County, Ind., Mr. Van Gundy remained until 1849, when he removed to Danville Illinois, whence, three years later, he went to Texas, where he remained about two years. He then started for California, but, reaching Fort Gibson, Indian Terr., too late for emigration, he engaged in trading with the Indians, and in the spring of 1855 he came to Kansas. He was one of the first settlers of the Neosho Valley, locating upon that river, about two miles below the confluence of the Cottonwood River, where he took a claim of 160 acres of land, which he afterwards preempted, and has ever since farmed. He has made valuable improvements on this farm, including the necessary farm buildings and an orchard of 1,200 apple trees, 400 of which are bearing fruit, 500 peach trees and others of smaller fruits. He raises cattle and hogs, feeding all his crops to his own stock. During the bloody days of early Kansas a daughter of Mr. Vangundy (Sarah Carver) was killed, under the following circumstances: A party of Free-state men, who were on a raid, came through this county, committing acts of robbery and rapine at different points. Arriving at the house of Christian Carver to whom she was married, they demanded admittance, but as he showed signs of resistance, and was slow in opening the door, they commenced firing through the chinks of the log cabin in which they resided. One of the charges, consisting of two small balls or buckshot, entered her side, while she was sitting up in bed, and from the effects of this wound she died three days later, on September 17, 1856. The robbers continued on their raid through the county, committing acts of violence and robbery at different points, and were never apprehended or punished. The last dying request of Mrs. Carver to her father and husband was that they refrain from seeking any revenge for her death. She expressed a readiness to die and forgiveness to her murderers. Mr. Van Gundy is a member of the Methodist Protestant Church. He is also a member of the Order of A., F. & A. M., and a member of Chicago Mound Grange, P. of H., and of two temperance societies. He married Miss Isabella Taylor, of Fountain County, Ind., in 1839. She died in 1867, after bearing him nine children, of whom William Franklin, John C., Rachel, Joseph T. and Melissa are now living.
He was married to Miss Emily Brown of Indianapolis Indiana Nov 3 1871, By whom he has six children, Guy Eli,Hugh Ina and Lee. At the age of 22 years he Joined the M. E, church. Mr Van Gundy came to this county in the spring of 1855, and lived and died on the original homestead, where he cast his lot 40 years ago. He was a pioneer identified with the early history of Kansas, and a patriotic Union soldier.