The late John Van Nortwick was born in Washington County, New York, in 1809. At an early age, he began the study of mathematics, preparatory to becoming a civil engineer, and when nineteen years old was employed in that capacity, on the canals of the State of New York, where he soon became recognized as one of the ablest engineers on the State works. His father, Wm. Van Nortwick, settled in Batavia, in 1835, and the following year, his son made him a visit and was so well pleased with the location and his father's investments, that he became a partner in his enterprises. In 1846, the State of New York having stopped all the public works, he was thrown out of employment, but Gov. William Marcy, then Secretary of War, had recognized the marked abilities of the young man, and gave him employment on the government work at Brooklyn dry docks.
Subsequently the projection of the Galena and Chicago Union Railway opened up a new field of enterprise in the west, and the late J.B. Turner, being in want of a chief engineer, made Mr. Van Nortwick an offer to go to Illinois and accept the position, which he did, settling with his family in this city, in 1846. He then began railroad building in the west. The C.B. & Q. was being constructed from Turner Junction to Aurora, and he was tendered, and accepted the position of consulting engineer. After the extension of the road to Burlington and Quincy he took the position of president, which he held for eight years. At this time his private interests demanding his personal supervision, he retired from public work.
Since that time, various milling enterprises engaged his attention, which under the efficient management of himself and sons, have become large successes. While building the mill in Batavia, he interested a number of East. . . under the name of Baker, House & Co. On the completion of the mill, they began the manufacture of flour on a large scale, and for some time, Chicago depended largely on this city to supply its demand of this necessary article. In 1842 the company dissolved and the property was divided. He erected the first grist mill ever built in Batavia, near where the Challenge factory now stands.
Mr. Van Nortwick was a large stockholder, and one of the founders of the Batavia Paper Company, of which, he became sole owner in 1869. It was made a joint company in 1870, and is one of the largest paper manufactories in the West. In addition to the Batavia mills, he was a large owner in various other paper and pulp mills, and other valuable water power property on the Fox River, in Wisconsin.
During his younger days he traveled extensively in Europe, giving much of his attention while abroad to some of the Old World's best engineering works.
He was a man that did much for the prosperity and advancement of our beautiful city, as well as the surrounding country, and was permitted to live to see it grow and flourish beyond all precedent in history, all of which was largely due to his thought, foresight, labor, public spirit and liberality. He had the foundation of the great railroad system that now so interlaces the upper Mississippi valley. He amassed a fortune and was interested in numerous banks and other enterprises.
He hated shams, and appreciated and loved solid worth of character, and was a man of exceptional honor and rectitude. The beautiful Episcopal Church on Batavia Avenue was built by him and presented to the church society.
Mr. Van Nortwick was married to Miss Patty Maria Mallory, who resides in this city, in the handsome residence built by her husband, who departed from this life in April 1890, aged 81 years. His children now living, are namely as follows: Wm. M. Van Nortwick, Batavia, John S. Van Nortwick, Appleton, Wisconsin, and Mrs. F.B. Rice, of Aurora, Mrs. Amos Burton, deceased.
