DANIEL VAN GERPEN

Dan was a banker all his life. When his father co-founded the Hartsburg Bank in 1901, Dan started out as a clerk there, and eventually became the bank president.

The following was a Hartsburg event on August 6, 1902, which Dan attended:
"YOUNG PEOPLE'S PICNIC
"Twenty-three of our young folks engaged vehicle transportation to Fishers ford on Sugar Creek last Thursday. Fishers ford naturally suggests fishing but we are told a few unbaited hooks were the only inducement the party offered the swarming fish in the creek. Instead aquatic sports in a mild sense were enjoyed while the burden of entertainment fell to cupid and a magnificent picnic lunch of fried chicken and all such provender that goes with it, which makes life worth while. The party returned home full of song and good cheer and a world of enthusiasm."

Obituaries for Uncle Dan:

HARTSBURG ----- Daniel Van Gerpen, 70, an original member of the founding group of the Hartsburg State bank and a leading banking official in Logan county, died at 4:30 p.m. Monday after suffering a fall on the basement steps at his home. A heart attack was blamed for the fall, which resulted in a skull fracture, according to Logan county Coroner Donald G. Holland. He had been in failing health for some time.
Mr. and Mrs. Van Gerpen had just arrived in their home from Denver, Col., and Mr. Van Gerpen was going to the basement to start a fire when stricken by the heart attack.
He was on of the founders of the Hartsburg State bank and been a member of the firm during its 50 years of existence. He held the position of cashier and president of the bank and was elected president of Logan County Bankers Federation a year ago and was still holding the position at the time of his death.
Born Sept. 10, 1880, he was the son of Claus and Hilda Rodenbeck Van Gerpen. His marriage was to Lena McElhiney on Oct. 25, 1905 in Kenney.
Survivors include his wife, a son George, Chicago; two daughters, Mrs. Margaret Dunn of Denver and Mrs. Catherine Mills of St. Joseph, Illinois; a brother Henry, Hartsburg; and two sisters, Mrs. Ada Bruns, Hartsburg, and Mrs. Hilda Andrea of Peoria.
He was a member of the Lincoln Masonic lodge, Order of the Eastern Star, Elks, and the Ansar Shrine of Peoria.
The body was removed to the Holland-Barry funeral home in Lincoln, from where funeral arrangements will be announced.
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OBITUARY - Aplington, Iowa NEWS - November, 1950
DANIEL VAN GERPEN DIED AT HARTSBURG, ILLINOIS
The News received word of the death of Daniel Van Gerpen, 70, of Hartsburg, Ill. He died Monday, November 27, from injuries received in a fall down the basement steps at his home. A heart attack was blamed for the fall. He had been in failing health for some time and had just returned with his wife from a trip to Denver Colo.
Mr. Van Gerpen was one of the founders of the Hartsburg State bank and had been a member of the firm during its 50 years of existence. He held the position of cashier and president of the bank and was elected president of the Logan County Bankers Federation a year ago.
He was born Sept. 10, 1880, the son of Claus and Hilda Rodenbeck Van Gerpen. He married Lena McElhiney Oct. 25, 1905 in Kenney. He is survived by his wife, a son, George, Chicago; two daughters, Mrs. Margaret Dunn of Denver and Mrs. Catherine Mills of St. Joseph, Illinois; a brother Henry, Hartsburg; and two sisters, Mrs. Ada Bruns, Hartsburg, and Mrs. Hilda Andrea of Peoria.