Genesee-Macomb County MI Archives Biographies.....Van Atta, Henry C. 1844 -
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Author: Chapman Bros. (1892)
HENRY C. VAN ATTA. This prominent attorney-at-law and ex-Circuit Court
Commissioner of Fenton, was born in Lyons, Wayne County, N. Y., April 25, 1844,
and is a son of James W. Van Atta, who was born in Philadelphia, Pa., September
9, 1808. The latter at the age of fourteen was apprenticed to the trade of a
cabinet-maker and followed his trade in Wayne County, N. Y. About the year 1846
he removed to Mt. Clemens, Macomb County, Mich., and four years later came to
Fenton, where he died in 1880. He had carried on for some years a furniture
store in this place.
James Van Atta, the grandfather, practiced law in Philadelphia for some years
and was a strong Jacksonian Democrat, and held various public offices. The
family is of Holland and French extraction. Ann M. Shaw, who became the wife of
James Van Atta and the mother of our subject, was born in New Jersey and died
November 9, 1889, at the age of eighty-five years, leaving two children, Horatio
and our subject.
The subject of this sketch was but seven years old when he came to Fenton and
here took his education. He started in the furniture business when he was twenty
years old but a year later sold out and enlisted February 24, 1865, in Company
A, Twenty-fourth Michigan Infantry, under Col. Henry A. Morrow. He joined his
regiment in March at Camp Butler, near Springfield, Ill., and there remained
until the war closed, being mustered out July 5, 1865. After the close of the
war Mr. Van Atta again entered the furniture business and was in partnership
with his brother until 1872, when he sold out his interest and began to study
law. He was admitted to the bar in this county in March, 1874, since which time
he has devoted himself to his profession. He has held the office of Circuit
Court Commissioner for over six terms.
The marriage of Mr. Van Atta and Sarah A. Fox took place May 1, 1871. This
lady was born at Lindley Roads, Canada, May 3, 1851. Her eldest child is Edith
M., born April 18, 1872, and now a teacher in the Union schools of Fenton. The
three younger ones are William H. and Helen C, who are attending school and Roy,
who died in 1883. When a boy Mr. Van Atta was a Democrat as was also his father
and all his friends, but in 1856 he attended a Republican mass meeting and heard
a speech by old Gov. Blair and was converted to the doctrines of the Republican
party, since which time he has been active in that field of politics. He has
been a delegate to county, district, Senatorial and State conventions and has
done considerable service as a stump speaker.
The Sons of Temperance and the Good Templars both count Mr. Van Atta as among
their representative members and he has been a member of the Methodist Episcopal
Church since he was twenty-one years old, and to this religious body his wife
also belongs. He has a pleasant home in Fenton and practices in this and
adjoining counties. He raises some fine Morgan horses in which he takes great
interest.
Additional Comments:
Extracted from:
Portrait and Biographical Record of Genesee, Lapeer and Tuscola Counties,
Michigan, Containing Biographical Sketches of Prominent and Representative
Citizens, Together with Biographies of all the Governors of the State, and of
the Presidents of the United States
Chicago:
Chapman Bros.
1892
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