Family of Augustus^8 Stout Van Wickle
Augustus^8 Stout Van Wickle (Simon^7, Nicholas^6, Simon^5, Nicasius^4, Simon^3, Evert^2, Jentie^1 Jeppes), b. 4 January 1856, New Brunswick, Middlesex, NJ (Photo is his Brown University Yearbook Photo, Class of 1876)
Married: Bessie Pardee (b. abt. 1856) in 1882 in Hazleton, PA
Children:
1. Marjorie^9 Randolph Van Wickle, b. about 1883, PA
2. Augustine^9 Van Wickle, b. Nov. 1898, Bristol, R.I.
Parents:
Augustus' parents are Simon and Anna Randolph (Stout) Van Wickle
Bessie's parents are Arie and Maria Pardee.
Background information:
Augustus^8 Stout Van Wickle (Simon^7, Nicholas^6, Simon^5, Nicasius^4, Simon^3, Evert^2, Jentie^1 Jeppes) was b. 4
January 1856, New Brunswick, Middlesex, NJ. He married Bessie Pardee (b. abt. 1856) in 1882 in Hazleton, PA. He died of an
accidental gunshot wound (skeet shooting) on 8 June 1898 at age 42 years, 5 months, and 4 days. Bessie (Pardee) Van Wickle
married William McKee on 29 May 1901 in Bristol, Rhode Island. She lived at Blithewold with her second husband until her
death in 1936. At that time the two daughters inherited the estate and Augustine eventually relinquished her part of the estate
to Marjorie. Marjorie continued to live at Blithewold until her death in 1976 at the age of 93. At that time the estate was willed
to the Heritage Trust of Rhode Island. The trust is currently open to the public and more information on the estate, the family,
and the trust can be found by clicking on Blithewold.
Some information on Augustus VW presented below. Click for a
detailed obituary, more photos of Van Wickle Hall (built 1902) or information on
his summer residence called Blithewold (45 room mansion on 33 acres overlooking Narragansett Bay) in Bristol, Rhode Island
Children: Marjorie^9 Randolph Van
Wickle, b. about 1883, PA. She married George Lyon at Blithewold (Briston, R.I.) in
1914; Augustine^9 Van Wickle, b. Nov. 1898, Bristol, R.I.
Van Wickle Gates at Brown University - The Van Wickle Gates, which face down College Hill toward Providence, are one of the most
recognizable campus landmarks. Dedicated in 1901 after a bequest from Augustus Stout Van Wickle, Class of 1876, the gates serve as the ceremonial
entrance to the College. Thus, the middle gates are opened only twice a year: swinging inward at Convocation to admit first year students, and
outward at Commencement to send off graduating seniors. The gates are inscribed with a quotation from Cicero, which reads: "These studies fortify
one's youth, delight one's old age: amid success they are an ornament, in failure they are a refuge and a comfort."
Van Wickle Hall at Lafayette University, Easton, PA - Located on the campus of Lafayette University, Easton, PA. Originally called Van
Wickle Memorial Library, it was named for Augustus S. Van Wickle, whose will had provided for a college library. A stack room was added in 1913
with funding from Van Wickle's daughter, Marjorie Van Wickle Lyon. In 1939, two wings were added, a larger wing to the north to increase stack
capacity and study facilities, and a smaller west wing, which contained a reconstruction of the library of Fred Morgan Kirby from his Wilkes-Barre
home, donated by Allan P. Kirby '15. With the construction of Skillman Library in 1963,
Van Wickle was renovated to become the home of the geology department. For an architectural essay on Van Wickle Hall see
http://ww2.lafayette.edu/~library/special/survey/vanwick.html
(Photo is of Augustus Van
Wickle's steam yacht, The Majorie, docked at Blithewold (1896))
Source:
Harry Macy, Jr. research notes on Augustus Stout Van Wickle
NCAB: Capitalist, Graduated Brown University in 1876, became President of 2 coal companies and treasurer of a third.
President of Hazleton, PA National Bank. Father in law was a millionaire coal and iron merchant of Hazelton, PA.
Luzerne Hy: Grad Brown '76 and came to Hazelton to work with father in 1878; replaced father as President of Elienale and S.
Mtn Coal Co. In 1881 he went to Cleveland to head branch of same company there. 1886 returned to Hazelton to be president
and successor (Van Wickle & Co.) with main office on Broadway, NYC. Helped organize Hazleton National Bank in 1890 and
was its first President. Also President of Tomhicken, Milnesvelle and Eastern RR Co, Hazleton
IGI; familysearch.com
Photos of Augustus and
Marjorie and of the steam yacht are taken from a book written by Alice DeWolf
Pardee, who is a descendent of Bessie Pardee (wife of Augustus Van Wickle). The
book is entitled, Blithewold, courtesy of Glenn Van Wickle via 17 April
2005 email.