Page:Woman of the Century.djvu/736

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VAN HENSCHOTEN.
VAN BUREN.
731

one of the managers of the Chicago Woman's Exchange She is interested in the Illinois Industrial School for Girls, and for eight years she edited the organ of that school, "The Record and Appeal." She is a busy woman at home, in society and in literature.


VAN BUREN, Mrs. Angelica Singleton, daughter-in-law of Martin Van Buren, the eighth President of the United States, and mistress of the White House during his term of office, was born in Sumter District, S. C., in 1820, and died in New York, N. Y., 29th December, 1878. She was the daughter of Richard Singleton, a planter, and a cousin to President Madison's wife. Her grandfather Singleton and her great-grandfather, General Richardson, Served in the Revolutionary War. Miss Singleton received a literal education, and finished her school course with several years of training in Madame Greland's seminary in Philadelphia, Pa. In 1837 she spent the winter season in Washington, D. C. There she was presented to President Van Buren by her cousin, Mrs. Madison. In November, 1838, she became the wife of the President's son. Major Abraham Van Buren, and on New Year's Day. 1839, she made her appearance as mistress of the White House. President Van Buren was a widower, and his brilliant and beautiful daughter-in-law rendered him no small service in presiding over the White House during his eventful term of office. In the spring of 1839 Mrs. Van Buren and her husband visited Europe, where they were pleasantly received, especially in England. She showed great tact in her management of social affairs in the President's home. After leaving the White House, she and her husband made their home with the ex- President on his beautiful "Lindenwald " estate. In 1848 they settled in New York City, where she spent the remainder of her life. She was a devoted mother to her children, two of whom died in infancy. During her last years the family spent the winters in South Carolina, on a plantation inherited by Mrs. Van Buren. Her life was singularly pure and sweet, and in her last years she did much charitable work.


VAN DEUSEN, Mrs. Mary Westbrook, author and poet, born in Fishkill, N. Y., 13th February, 1829, where her father. Rev. Dr. Cornelius de Puy Westbrook was pastor of the Dutch Church for a quarter of a century. Four years later Dr. Westbrook assumed charge of the Dutch Church in Peekskill, N. Y., where her girlhood days were passed. In 1865 she became the wife of James Lansing Van Deusen. of Rondout, N. Y., where she has ever since lived, sacrificing very largely the pleasures of "dream-life" that she might minister more constantly to husband and children. MARY WESTBROOK VAN DEUSEN. She has published much in prose and verse, pamphlet and book form, mostly through the Freeman Company, of Kingston, N. Y. Her "Rachel Du Mont" was published in 1883, and went through three editions in one year. Her "Christmas Rosary," "Dawn," "Eastertide." and " Merrie Christmas," all in verse, were published in 1884. Her "Mary Magdalene," in verse, and "Easter Joy" were issued in 1886, and a third edition of "Dawn," a second one having been published in 1885. Her "Colonial Dames of America," "Voices of My Heart," a book of poems, and a novel called " Gertrude Willoughby" are her most recent works. The fourth edition of " Rachel Du Mont," with illustrations, was published in Albany, N. Y., in 1890.


VAN FLEET, Mrs. Ellen Oliver, poet, born in the town of Troy, Bradford county, Pa., 2nd March, 1842. She is of English parentage. ELLEN OLIVER VAN FLEET. From her mother she inherited faithful domestic tendencies, together with an unswerving regard for duty. From her father she inherited a strong literary taste. Miss Oliver was educated by private