Husband A. R. Van Tassel 1 2
Born: 31 Mar 1853 - Brooklyn, NY 1
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Father: R. S. Van Tassel ( - ) 3
Mother: Elizabeth Higgins ( -1879) 3
Marriage: 1893 3 4
Other Spouse: Jennie Thomas ( -1884) 1 3 - 1879 - Allegany Co, NY 1 3
Wife Alice Henderson 2 3 4
Born: 24 Jun 1872 2
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Father: Joseph Buffington Henderson (1842- ) 5 6
Mother: Mary S. Bennett ( - ) 2
Children
1 F Blanche Van Tassel 3 4
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2 M Henderson Van Tassel 4
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3 F Lillian Van Tassel 4
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General Notes: Husband - A. R. Van Tassel
He was educated in the public and in a select school at Brooklyn, New York, and when he reached manhood he learned the tanning business and served an apprenticeship to it at Woburn, Massachusetts. Subsequently he established a small tannery of his own, at Boliver, New York, which he sold in 1884 and then came to DuBois, Clearfield County, Pennsylvania, where he entered into partnership with a brother and John DuBois, in the tanning business, which was carried on until 1899 under the firm style of DuBois & Van Tassel Bros. In that year A. R. Van Tassel retired from the firm and erected his own tannery which became one of the large industrial plants of the town, employment being given to from 75 to 100 men. He was one of the organizers of the Union Banking and Trust Company, of which he was president from its founding.
The family home, Hillcrest Farm, was one of the largest and most valuable stock farms in Clearfield County. A tract of 300 acres, it was situated near DuBois. Mr. Van Tassel gave special attention there to the breeding of Morgan horses. He exhibited at numerous fairs and stock shows and won innumerable blue ribbons and cups, a particular triumph in this line being one of his stud, Bob Morgan, which won a blue ribbon at the Madison Square Garden exhibition, in 1910.
Mr. Van Tassel and his family attended the Presbyterian church. A Republican from principle, he gave his political support to that party but never consented to permit his name to be used for office. He was identified with the Masonic fraternity, and was one of the charter members of the Acorn Club, a social club of DuBois, Pennsylvania.
He was born in Brooklyn, New York, and was educated in that city. He learned the tanner's trade in Woburn, Massachusetts, and after working for some time in Massachusetts and New York he located, in 1880, in Bolivar, Allegany County, New York, and engaged in business on his own account, remaining there until he removed to DuBois, Clearfield County, Pennsylvania. One of the most important business centers of Clearfield County, it was the location of the extensive tannery conducted by the well-known firm of DuBois and Van Vassel Bros. It was established in 1884 in a building 40 x 65 feet with a force of about twenty men, and the product was limited to rough leather. By 1889 they widened their operations, adding finishing departments. The business became one of the largest in the country, one building alone, used for currying, was 40 x 320 feet, and five stories in height, and an "L" 112 x 64, also five stories, with the other buildings in proportion, covering seven acres of land. They had a capacity of 2,000 sides per day, and employed about 350 men. Their bark was obtained from their own lands in Elk and Jefferson counties. A. R. Van Tassel, who was a leading factor in the enterprise, was connected with it from its foundation in 1884, when he first located in DuBois, having been attracted to the place by the superior advantages it afforded for the business.
In politics Mr. Van Tassel was a Republican. He was prominent in various fraternal orders, being a member of the Acorn Club, of Garfield Lodge, F. & A. M., at DuBois, the Chapter, Knapp Commandery at Ridgway, and Zem Zem Shrine at Erie, Penn. He also strengthened the fire department of the city by the organization of A. R. Van Tassel Fire Company No. 3, intended for special service at the tannery.