(Note: each item separated by lines below corresponds to one paper in the record. Some are summarized and contain no further info than is given in the summary. A description of the paper is sometimes given at the beginning of the transcription in parentheses.)

(Form)

Declaration for Pension
Act of February 6, 1907.
State of Iowa, County of Henry, ss:

On this 15^th day of March, A.D. one thousand nine hundred and nine personally appeared before me, a Notary Public within and for the County and State aforesaid, Thomas J. Van Hon, who, being duly sworn according to law, declares that he is 70 years of age, and a resident of Mt. Pleasant, County of Henry, State of Iowa; and that he is the identical person who was enrolled at Springfield, Ills Enlisted at McLeansboro Ills under the name of Thomas J. Van Hon or Thomas J. Van Horn on the 9^th day of Feb, 1865 as a Private, in 155 Reg. Ills Inf Co H and Q.M. Sergeant 155 Reg. Ills Vol. Inf. In the service of the United States, in the Civil War, and was honorably discharged at Murfreesboro Tenn on the 4^th day of Sept, 1865. That he was not employed in the military or naval service of the United States otherwise than as stated above. That his personal description at enlistment was as follows: Height, 5 feet 11 ½ inches; complexion, dark; color of eyes, dark; that his occupation was photographer; that he was born April 14^th, 1808, at Delaware Co., Penn. That his several places of residence since leaving the service have been as follows: McLeansboro, Ills and Mt. Pleasant, Ia, since Oct 11^th 1865 at the latter place. That he is not a pensioner. That he has not heretofore applied for a pension. That he makes this declaration for the purpose of being placed on the Pension Roll of the United States, under the provisions of the Act of February 6, 1907. His post-office address is Mt. Pleasant, Iowa, County of Henry, State of Iowa.

(Signed) Thomas J. Van Hon
Attest 1 Ida Van Hon
2 Melissa Van Hon

(Form)
General Affidavit

State of Iowa, County of Henry, ss:

In the matter of the application for pension of Thomas J. Van Hon Private Co H 155^th Reg. Ills Vol. Inf & QMSergeant 155 Reg Ills Vol. Inf. As to correct.

On this 15^th day of March, A.D. 1909, personally appeared before me, a Notary Publi in and for the aforesaid County, duly authorized to administer oaths in the County of Henry and State of Iowa who Post-Office address is Mt. Pleasant Henry County Iowa and (other blanks, not filled in, for another person) well know to me to be reputable and entitled to credit, and who, being duly sworn, declare in relation to the aforesaid case as follows:

I would hereby state, that in my commission as Quarter Master Sergeant in 155^th Regiment Illinois Infantry given at Tullahoma Tenn May 1^st 1865 my name was correctly written as Thomas J. Can Hon buy in my discharge paper my name is written Thomas J. Van Horn. When I enrolled my name was correctly given as Thomas J. Van Hon but I cannot say how it was written down. It may have been incorrectly written Van Horn at that time.

Therefore I wish now to state that my true and lawful name is Thomas J. Van Hon, but that Thomas J Van Horn and Thomas J. Van Hon are one and the same person who enrolled as private in Company "H" 155^th Regt. Ills Vol. Infantry and was appointed on April 30^th 1865 as Quarter Master Sergeant of said Regiment.

(signed) Thomas J. Van Hon

(Form)

Western Div. Ord. No. 1,382,121
Thomas J. Van Hon
Co. H, 155 Illinois Vol I.
QMSergt 155 Illinois Infty.
Department of the Interior
Bureau of Pensions
Washington, D.C., April 8, 1909

Sir: To aid this Bureau in preventing any one falsely personating you, or otherwise committing fraud in your name, or on account of your service, you are required to answer fully the questions enumerated below.
You will please return this circular under cover of the inclosed (sic) envelope which requires no postage.
Very respectfully, J.L.Davenport, Acting Commissioner.

Mr. Thomas J. Van Hon
Mt. Pleasant, Iowa.

1. When were you born? Answer. April 14^th, 1838
2. Where were you born? Answer. In Delaware County, Pennsylvania
3. When did you enlist? Answer. February 9, 1865.
4. Where did you enlist? Answer. Springfield, Ills
5. Where had you lived before you enlisted? Answer. In Pennsylvania and Illinois.
6. What was your post-office address at enlistment? Answer. McLeansboro, Illinois.
7. What was your occupation at enlistment? Answer. Photographer.
8. When were you discharged? Answer. September 4^th, 1865.
9. Where were you discharged? Answer. At Murfreesboro, Tennessee.
10. Where have you lived since discharge? Give dates, as nearly as possibly, of any changes of residence. Mt. Pleasant Iowa since Oct. 11^th, 1865.
11. What is your present occupation? Answer. Banker.
12. What is your height? Answer. Five feet, 11 ½ inches. Your weight? 207 lbs. The color of your eyes? Dark. The color of your hair? Gray. You complexion? Dark. Are there any permanenet marks or scars on your person? If so, describe them. None.
13. What is your full name? Please write it on the line below, in ink, in the manner in which you are accustomed to sign it, in the present of two witnesses who can write. (Signed) Thomas J. Van Hon
Witnesses: 1. W.A. Judy, Mt. Pleasant, Ia. 2. C. Van Bussel, Mt. Pleasant, Ia. Date: April 12^th, 1909.

(Form)

Western Div., orig. No. 1,382,121
Thomas J. Van Hon
Co. H., 155 Illinois Vol Ify.
QMSergt. 155 Illinois Vol Ify.
Department of the Interior
Bureau of Pensions
Washington, D.C., April 9, 1909

Sir: Will you kindly answer, at your earliest convenience, the questions enumerated below? The information is requested for future use, and it may be of great value to your family.
Very respectfully, (signed) J.L.Davenport, Acting Commissioner.

Mr. Thomas J. Van Hon
Mt. Pleasant, Iowa
No. 1. Are you a married man? If so, please state your wife’s full name and her maiden name. Answer: Married. Melissa Van Hon. Maiden Name Melissa Rathbone.
No. 2. When, where and by whom were you married? Answer: November 8^th, 1865 at McLeansboro Ills, by Rev. A. DeFoe, M.D.
No. 3. What record of marriage exists? Answer: License of Record in Clerk’s Office and Family Bible rec. (illegible) Court of Hamilton County, McLeansboro Ills.
No. 4. Where you previously married? If so, state the name of your former wife, the date of the marriage, and the date and place of her death or divorce. If there was more than one previous marriage, let your answer include all former consorts. Answer: No.
No. 5. Have you any children living? If so, please state their names and the dates of their birth. Answer: Ida Van Hon September 22^nd, 1866. Frederick Van Hon, October 2^nd, 1874.
Date of reply, April 12^th, 1909
(Signed) Thomas J. Van Hon

State of Iowa, County of Henry, ss:

In the matter of Orig Pension No 1382,121 Thomas J. Van Hon Co H 155^th Ills Vol Inf. On this day May 11^th 1909 would state that B.R. Luch aged 50 years, a resident of Mt. Pleasant Henry Co Iowa, and Notary Public in & for the aforesaid County, duly authorized to administer oaths, have this day made an examination & have before me the Family Bible of William Van Hon and Jane Van Hon & certify that same is an old faded & worn yellow (illegible) bible published by Judd Loomis & Co in 1836. The records are plain & bear no marks of erasure or alterations & from the appearance of the writing, he believed the entries to have been made about the dates given. I find in this Bible the following record, on first page reading "This Bible was presented to Mrs. Jane Van Hon by her affectionate sister Rebecca McDermott on May 20^th, 1838.

I find the following records of births in the above described Bible:

William Van Hon was born in 1811 the 5^th day of January.
Jane Van Hon was born 7^th day of May in the year 1817.
Thomas Jefferson Van Hon was born the 14^th day of April 1838. The above described Bible was Stereotyped by J. Hone of Philadelphia and I hereby certify the above to be a verified copy of the Record in the Family Bible before me.

(Signed) B.R. Luch
Notary Public
In & for Henry County Iowa

State of Iowa, Henry County, ss

In the matter of Orig. Pension No 1382,121 Thomas J. Van Hon Co H 155^th Ills Vol. Inf. On this day May 11^th A.D. 1909 personally appeared before me a Notary Public in & for the aforesaid County, duly authorized to administer oaths Thomas J. Van Hon aged 72 years a resident of Mt. Pleasant Henry Co Iowa who post office address is Mt. Pleasant Henry County Iowa, well known and entitled to credit, and who being duly sworn declared in relation to aforesaid case as follows: In response to your letter & request of April 23^rd 1909 I would state that I am unable to secure a verified copy of Public Record as there is no such record of my birth and I further state that I cannot furnish a verified copy of the Baptismal Record & that the only record obtainable is the record of my birth in my Father and Mothers old family Bible, which after my Mothers Jane Van Hons death was kept by my Father William Van Hon until his death & since then has been in my family & in my possession. I was an only child & the Record of Births read as follows:

William Van Hon was born in 1811 the 5^th day of January.
Jane Van Hon was born 7^th of May in the year 1817.
Thomas Jefferson Van Hon was born the 14^th day of April 1838. I would further state that my full name is Thomas Jefferson Van Hon & that Thomas J. Van Hon & Thomas Jefferson Van Hon are on e& the same person.

(Signed) Thomas H. Van Hon

State of Iowa, County of Henry ss:

Sworn to & subscribed before me this day by the above named affidavit, & I certify that I read said affidavit to said affiant, including the words 71—erased & the words Jane Van Hon + 72 added, & acquainted him with its controls before he executed the same. I further certify that I am in no wise interested in said case, nor am I concerned in its prosecution; & that said affiant is personally known to me & that he is a credible person.

(signed) B.R. Luch
Notary Public
In & for Henry County Iowa

(A form showing that the rate for Thomas J. Van Hon’s pension is $12 per month commencing March 18, 1909, followed by a note of approval by an official for the pension to commence: "age over 70. Rate $15 per month" dated May 21, 1909.)

(Announcement Card)

It is with great sorrow
that we announce the death of
Mr. T.J. Van Hon
President of this Bank
which occurred at his home in this city
Sunday the twenty-fifth of May
one thousand nine hundred thirteen

First National Bank
Mt. Pleasant, Iowa

(Letter on Letterhead of First National Bank, T.J. Van Hon, President; W.S. Withrow, Vice Pres.; H.L. McGrew, Cashier; Fred Van Hon, Asst. Cash.; C. Van Brussel, Asst. Cash. First National Bank Capital & Surplus $150,000. U.S. Depository. Oldest Bank in Henry County.)

Mt. Pleasant, Iowa, May 28^th. 1913.
J.L. Davenport, Commissioner of Pensions, Washington, D.C.

Dear Sir: -- I regret to inform you of the death of my father Thomas J. Van Hon, May 25^th. 1913. His pension certificate is #1155265. (155^th. Illinois Volunteer Infantry). I will to take immediate steps to procure the widows pension for my mother. Please forward blanks and instructions. Yours respectfully, (Signed) Fred Van Hon

(Letter on letterhead of First National Bank)

Mt. Pleasant, Iowa June 11th, 1913
Commissioner of Pensions, Washington, D.C.

Dear Sir: -- On May 28^th, I wrote you informing you of the death of my father, Thomas J. Van Hon, on May 25^th. 1913 and asking you to send blank forms for application for civil war veteran’s widow’s pension but have heard nothing from your office. Please inform me if your office is the proper place to make such application. My father’s pension certificate is #1155,262 and he belonged to the 155^th regiment Illinois volunteer Infantry.
Yours Respectfully, Fred Van Hon.

(Typed letter on plain paper)

June 12, 1913.

Mr. Fred Van Hon,
First National Bank,
Mt. Pleasant, Iowa.

Sir: Replying to your communication of the 28^th ultimo, received the 31^st, I am inclosing (sic) herewith a blank form upon which to present a claim for pension in behalf of your mother as widow of Thomas J. Van Hon, certificate number 1,155,262, which should be properly executed and returned to the Bureau, when the question of your mother’s title to the accrued, as well as to pension in her own right will be duly considered.
Very respectfully, G.M. Saltzgaber. Commissioner.

(Card form)

Drop Order and Report
Department of the Interior
Bureau of Pensions,
Finance Division
Washington, D.C. June 12, 1913.

Thomas J. Van Hon
Act February 6, 1907
QMSgt 155 Ill Inf

U.S. Pension Agent
Des Moines

Sir: You are hereby directed to drop from the roll the name of the above-described pensioner who died May 25, 1913.

(signed) G.M.Saltzgaber, Commissioner

Report.
Commissioner of Pensions.

Sir: The name of the above-described pensioner, who was last paid at $15 per month to 4 Apr, 1913, has this day been dropped from the roll of this agency.

(signed) H.H. Thompson, Dispensing Clerk
June 13, 1913

(Form)

Act of April 19, 1908
Declaration for Widow’s Pension
State of Iowa
County of Henry

On this 14^th day of June, A.D. one thousand nine hundred and thirteen personally appeared before me, a Notary Public within and for the county and Sate aforesaid, Melissa Van Hon, aged 72 years, a resident of Mt. Pleasant, county of Henry, State of Iowa, who, being duly sworn according to law, makes the following declaration in order to obtain pension under the provisions of the Act of Congress approved April 19, 1908.
That she is the widow of Thomas J. Van Hon, who was enrolled under the name of Thomas J. Van Horn (sic), at McLeansboro, Illinois, on the 9^th day of February. 1865 as a private in 155^th Regiment of Illinois Volunteer Infantry, and honorably discharged September 4^th, 1865, having served ninety days or more during the late civil war. That she was married under the name of Melissa Rathbone to said soldier at McLeansboro, Illinois, on the 8^th day of November, 1866 by Dr. DeFoe, a Babtist (sic) minister, that there was no legal barrier to the marriage; that she had not been previously married; that the soldier had not been previously married, and that neither she nor said soldier married otherwise than as stated above.
That the said soldier died May 25^th, 1913 at Mt. Pleasant, Iowa, that she was not divorced from him, and that she has not remarried since his death. That the said soldier left the following-named children who are now living and under sixteen years of age, to wit: (none are listed). That she has not heretofore applied for pension. That her post-office address is Mt. Pleasant, county of Henry, State of Iowa.

Attest 1. C. Van Bussel 2. (illegible) McGrew.
(Signed) Melissa Van Hon.
(Notary’s affidavit for witnesses.)

(Letter on letterhead of First National Bank)

Mt. Pleasant, Iowa June 16^th. 1913.
G.M. Saltzgaber, Commisioner (sic) of Pensions. Washington, D.C.

Dear Sir: -- Yours of the 12^th. with blank enclosed, received. I enclose herewith "Declaration for Widow’s Pension" of my mother Mrs. Melissa Van Hon.
There appears to have been a clerical error in my fathers name either when he enlisted or was discharged. The correct name is Thomas J. Van Hon and his discharge papers are made out Thomas J. Van Horn. My father thought that this was a clerical error by the official who made out the papers. He made affidavit in regard to this error when he made his application for pension and it should be on file with the department as it was sent in at that time. Yours Respectfully (signed) Fred Van Hon

(Form)

Declaration of a Widow for Accrued Pension

State of Iowa, County of Henry, ss:

On this 1^st day of July, A.D. one thousand nine hundred and thirteen personally appeared before me, a Notary Public within and for the county and State aforesaid, Melissa Van Hon, aged 72 years, a resident of Mt. Pleasant, County of Henry, State of Iowa, who being duly sworn according to law, makes the following declaration in order to obtain the pension which had accrued to her husband, named below, at the time of his death.

That she is the widow of Thomas J. Van Hon who served as Quartermaster sergeant in 155^th Regiment Illinois Volunteer Infantry and who was a pensioner of the United States by certificate No. 1,155,262, on the roll of the Pension Agency at Des Moines, Iowa; that the last payment of his pension was made to the 1^st day of April, 1913; that he died on the 25^th day of May, 1913.

That she was married under the name of Melissa Rathbone to said pensioner at McLeansboro, Illinois on the 8^th day of Nov., 1866, by Dr. De Foe a babtist (sic) minister; that the was no legal barrier to the marriage; that she had not been previously married; that the soldier had not been previously married.

That her post-office address is Mt. Pleasant County of Henry, State of Iowa.

Attest: (1) C. Van Bussel (2) H.L. McGrew
(Signed) Melissa Van Hon

(Notary’s certification of witnesses signatures)

(Letter on letterhead of First National Bank)

Mt. Pleasant, Iowa July 1st, 1913
G.M. Saltzgaber, Commissioner of Pensions,
Washington, D.C.

Dear Sir: -- Enclosed find declaration of my mother Melissa Van Hon for accrued pension of my father Thomas J. Van Hon. I should have forwarded this with claim for which you have just sent receipt giving number of claim as W.D. 1009777.
Yours Respectfully, Fred Van Hon.

(Letter on letterhead of First National Bank)

Mt. Pleasant, Iowa Aug. 1^st. 1913.
Commissioner of Pensions, Washington, D.C.

Dear Sir: -- In the early part of June I sent you pension papers of my mother Melissa Van Hon applying for pension as widow of Thos J. Van Hon who died May 25^th. 1913. Will you please let me know how the matter is progressing. If you will let me know what other blanks there are to fill out I can be getting to work on them. Thanking you for an early reply I am
Yours Respectfully Fred Van Hon.

(Typed letter on plain paper)

Civil War Division
Wid. Orig. 1009777.
Melissa VanHorn. (sic)
Thomas J. VanHorn. (sic)
Co. H, 55 (sic) Illinois Inf.
August 7, 1913.

Mrs. Melissa VanHorn (sic),
Mt. Pleasant, Iowa.

Madam:

Your above-mentioned claim for pension requires a certified copy of the public record, affidavit of the attending physician, or testimony of two persons who were present, showing date of soldier’s death; a certified copy of the public or church record, affidavit of the person who performed the ceremony, or testimony of two witnesses having personal knowledge, showing date of your marriage to the soldier; testimony of persons who have known you and soldier from the time each attained marriageable age, showing whether either had been previously married, and, if so, how and when such marriage or marriages terminated; and the testimony of two witnesses having personal knowledge showing whether you and soldier lived together from date of marriage to his death, and, if not, whether you were divorced.

Very respectfully,
E.C.Tieman
Acting Commissioner

(Certified copy of marriage record)

State of Illinois, Hamilton County
I, L. E. Lambert, Clerk of the County Court in and for said County, hereby certify that Mr. Thomas J. Van Horn (sic) and Miss Malissa (sic) Rathbone were joined in matrimony on the 8^th day of Nov. A.D. 1866, by Augustus De Foe, MD in said County, as appears of record in my office. In testimony whereof, I have hereunto set my hand and affixed the official seal, of said County, at McLeansboro, Illinois, this the 14^th day of August A.D., 1913.

(Signed) L.E.Lambert, Clerk of the County Court.

(Form, back and front)

Additional Evidence. Two witnesses. Civil War Division. No 1009777.
Claim of Melissa VanHorn (sic) – widow
Thomas J. VanHorn (sic)
Co. "H" Reg’t 55^th (sic) Vols Illinois Inft.
For Original Pension

Affadavit of Mrs. Belle Tevis
John H. Wilson
General Affidavit. Two witnesses.
State of Illinois, County of Hamilton, ss:

In the matter of Widows original claim No. 1009777 of Melissa VanHorn (sic) widow of Thomas J. VanHorn (sic) late member of Company "H" 155^th, Regiment Illinois volunteer Infantry, Civil War. On this Sixteenth day of August, A.D. one thousand nine hundred and thirteen, personally appeared before me, a Notary Public within and for the County and State aforesaid, duly authorized to administer oaths, Mrs. Belle Tevis, aged Sixty Five years, a residents of McLenasboro, County of Hamilton, State of Illinois, and John H. Wilson, aged Sixty Eight year; a resident of McLeansboro, County of Hamilton, State of Illinois, well known by me to be reputable and entitled to credit, and who, being duly sworn according to law, declare in relation to the aforesaid case as follows: That they and each of them was personally well acquainted with Claimant Melissa VanHorn (sic) formerly Melissa Rathbone and soldier Thomas J. VanHorn (sic) quite a number of years prior to their marriage to each other, knew them from the time of their marriageble (sic) age to the date of their marriage, and know that they were married on or about the Eighth day of November A.D. 1866, in Hamilton County, Illinois, and that said marriage was the first and only marriage of the Claimant and the soldier, and that neither had been previously married; and that they lived together as husband and wife from the date of their marriage until the (sic) removed from this Hamilton County, Illinois to Mt. Pleasant, Iowa. They certify that they are not interested in the prosecution of this case. Their post office address is the City of McLeansboro, County of Hamilton, and State of Illinois.
(Signed) Mrs. Belle Tevis, John H. Wilson.
(Notary’s certification)

(Letter dated Aug. 20, 1913 from notary telling of the appearance of George M. Spahr and Isaac P. Van Cise before him to attest to the fact that Melissa Van Hon and Thomas J. Van Hon were married before TJ’s death and that they lived together as husband and wife.)

(Letter dated Aug. 20, 1913 from notary telling of the appearance of George E. Smith, a physician, before him to attest that he attended TJ in his last illness and that TJ died on May 25^th, 1913.)

(Letter on letterhead of First National Bank)

Mt. Pleasant, Iowa Aug. 21^st, 1913
Commissioner of Pensions, Washington, D.C.

Dear Sir: -- As per your request in your letter of the 7^th. to my mother Melissa Van Hon, I am forwarding affidavits in regard to marriage of my father and mother Thomas J. Van Hon and Mellissa (sic) Van Hon and death of my father Thomas J. Van Hon. If any further papers are required please inform me as soon as possible.
Yours Respectfully, Fred Van Hon.

(Handwritten letter on plain paper)

Mr. G.M. Saltzgaber, Commissioner of Pensions, Washington, D.C.

Dear Sir,
My present pension number is 763602.
I wish to apply for the increase making my pension 20.00 per month. According to Ashbrook law recently passed by Congress. I was born in McLeansboro Hamilton Co., Ill. Feb. 25^th 1841. I am the widow of Thos. J. Van Hon of the 155 Ill.

Yours respectfully,
Melissa Van Hon
Mt. Pleasant, Iowa
Sept. 22, 1916

(Three cards, on which the Bureau of Pensions requests from the Adjutant General of the War Department the details of enlistment of Thomas J. Van Hon. The War Department returns the information, along with the fact that his name is also found as Thomas J. Van hon and Thomas J. Van horn and "name not found as Thomas J. Van Hon")

(Card Form)

Melissa Van Hon
Mount Pleasant Iowa
763602 Act Apr
404 Lincoln St.
Drop Report – Pensioner
Cert No. 763602
Pensioner Melissa Van Hon
Class Act May 1, 1920 – Widow Section W
Finance Division
Aug 7, 1924
The name of the above-described pensioner who was last paid at the rate of $30 per month to Jul 4 1924 has this day been dropped from the roll because of Death July 26, 1924.
(Signed) A.J.Randall, Chief, Finance Division

(Letter appointing Fred Van Hon and Ida Van Hon executor and executrix of the estate of Melissa Van Hon upon her death on July 26, 1924.

(Certificate of Transcript in the Estate of Melissa Van Hon, noting that the appointment of Ida Van Hon as executrix is still in effect, even though Fred Van Hon has died on Sept. 9, 1924.)

(Letter on Letterhead: A.M. Van Allen, Attorney at Law, Loans, Abstracts of Title, Bonds, Mt. Pleasant, Iowa.)

Sep 17^th 1924.
Pension Bureau
Washington, D.C.

Melissa Van Hon of this place, pensioner under certifcate 763,602 died July 26^th 1924 entitled to pension for the period from July 4^th till July 26^th.

I enclose herewith proper showing from the Clerk of the District Court of her death and the appointment of her executors.

Would you kindly have draft issued in favor of Ida Van Hon surviving executor of her estate for the amount due.

Yours Truly, (signed) A.M. Van Allen.

(Typed Letter on plain paper)

Finance
September 24, 1924
A.M. Van Allen
Attorney-at-law
Mt. Pleasant, Iowa
Sir:
In response to your letter of the seventeenth instant in the case of the deceased pensioner Melissa Van Hon, certificate 763,602, I have to advise you that the pension accrued from July 4, 1924, the date to which payment was last made, to the date of the pensioner’s death is not an asset of her estate. If this widow left assets sufficient to meet the expenses of her last sickness and burial the pension which had accrued at her death cannot be paid to anyone for any purpose. I am enclosing a copy of the law which governs the payment of accrued pension in all cases.
Respectfully, Hays Haymaker, Acting Commissioner.

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