At his late residence 4 miles east of Bristol on Friday, June 16th, 1882, of paralysis of the heart, Mr. John Van Frank in the eightieth year of his age.

He was born May 10th, 1803, in Western, Oneida County, New York. On Jan. 18th, 1832 he was married to Miss Harriet Whipple. Three or four years after his marriage he moved west and settled in Elkhart County, Indiana where he has been a resident for the past 46 years. With all the energy of a worthy pioneer, he met the hardships incident to the first settlement of a new country. He set about forming for himself a home and saw his efforts abundantly prospered. He showed an earnest interest in all that would make for the true welfare of his neighborhood and community. He from the first proved himself to be a good citizen in the truest sense. While laboring hard to secure material prosperity, he realized the importance of higher interests. He had made a profession of the Christian religion in early life. His home has ever been a Christian household. In the early days he gathered his neighbors together and organized a Sunday School within his own house. He was one of the first members of the Presbyterian Church of Bristol at its organization and has long served it faithfully and zealously in the capacity of an elder. At all times in church and society he has shown himself to be an exemplary and consistent Christian gentleman.

His death came suddenly. On the preceding Wednesday he attended a convention at Goshen. On last Friday morning he did his usual chores but complained of feeling dull. At about two o'clock in the afternoon, while sitting in his chair, he was suddenly prostrated. He lingered until 11 o'clock that night when he passed away. Though dying suddenly, he has always so lived as to be prepared at any time for his departure. Old and full of years honored and respected by all, he has gone from the church on earth "to the general assembly and church of the first born, which are written in heaven, and to God the Judge-of-all, and to the spirits of just men made perfect"

He leaves a widow and two sons-Mr. Charles VanFrank and Mr. James VanFrank.

The funeral services were conducted on the afternoon of Sunday, June 18th, 1882, at the residence and grave by Rev. John Maflit, and at the M.E. church in Bristol by Rev. Wm. S. Buck, of Constantine, Mich.