The Boyntons bought and settled land in Byron Township in 1835. Henry A. Van Ness came to the South Woods soon after in 1841. As late as 1844 the southern part of Byron Township was still considered unoccupied wilderness. During the first years the settlement of Byron progressed very slowly. It required a brave heart and strong arm to encounter the dangers and hardships that came with opening up a new and heavily timbered country.

Mr. Van Ness settled in Section 5. The family farm was located on the northeast corner of Homerich and 68^th Street. These corners were known as Van Ness Corners and the little school just across the street, organized about 1840, was called Van Ness School even though the land was part of the Hartman farm.

He was 60 when he died.

(Taken from Jaarsma, pp. 62-63)

Transcriber: Evelyn Sawyer
Created: 26 December 2002
URL: http://kent.migenweb.net/townships/byron/pioneers/vannessh.html