Son of Jacob Vontrees & Mahulda "Lottie" Denney
Contributor: Sandy Hubby, Selby (48159929)
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Zachariah J. Vontrees was the 1st teacher in the Dodge township, Boone County, IA. Eventually he moved back to Worth Township and then into Boone, IA. He is mentioned in the Boone County History book dated 1880. The school was a dwellling-house near the home of Matthew R. Cole. 30 years before his death, he represented his township - Worth - on the board of supervisors serving several terms. He enlisted in the Mexican war in June 1846 and returned home in July 1847. On the 1st of June 1849, he arrived in Boone county, settled on a piece of land near Belle Point which he called home til his move to Boone's fifth ward. Soon after his settlement at Belle Point, the DeFores moved from Indiana and camped for a while in his cabin as he was then a bachelor. They moved to Mineral Ridge. He boarded in the family 2 years and in 1853 he joined the Baptist church of Mineral Ridge. He had 6 children, 3 of them survived him. He served 5 years on the school board and held every office in the township except justice and road supervisor. In 1868, he was elected to the old board of county supervisors and in 1870 with Colvin and Page on the new board.
He married Emelie "Millie" A. Hull on Nov 6, 1853 in Boone County, IA. Three of his children were Joseph Freeman, Sarah E., and Rhoda Ann. He died at the age of 74.
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Date of death was verified with the Boone County Courthouse. Using the backwards date calculator and based on the number of years, months, and days reported on this death cert, his date of birth would be 12/28/1821 as listed in his obituary. His date of death listed in this article is incorrect.
"AN OLD SETTLER GONE: Mr. Z. J. Vontrees, one of the oldest citizens of Boone County, passed away on Monday last, at his home in Boonsboro. For 40 years, Mr. Vontrees had been a leading and highly respected citizen of Boone County, passing the most of his life on his farm in Worth Township. Over 30 years ago, he represented his township on the board of supervisors, serving in that office several terms. His judgment and counsel, while in that capacity were, always for the best interest of the county as well as all parties concerned. As a citizen he was always public spirited, genial and interesting in his manner and intercourse with neighbors and friends and could always be relied on as a true friend and counselor. For the last few years, he has lived a retired life, released from farm cares and labors, enjoying the fruits of his early toils. Z. J. Vontrees was born in Indiana, Dec 28, 1821, and died at this home in Boone, Dec 24, 1896. He enlisted in the Mexican war in June 1846 and returned hom July 1847. On the first day of June 1849 he arrived in Boone county, settled on a piece of land near Belle point which he called home till his recent move to Boone 5th ward. Soon after his settlement at Belle Point, the Defores moved from Indiana and camped for a while in his cabin as he was then a bachelor. They moved near Mineral Ridge & he boarded in the family 2 years and in 1853, he joined the Baptist church of that place and has since been a consistant christian. He was married Nov 6, 1853 to Emilie A. Hull. 6 children were born to them, 3 of whom survive, Mrs. Crowner, Mrs. Mills and Joseph, now in Kansas. In Worth township he was 5 years on the school board and held every office of the township except justice and road supervisor. In 1868, he was elected onthe old board of county supervisors and in 1870 with Colvin and Page on the new board. He drew the one year term, Page 2 years and Colvin 3. Mr. Vontrees has been a most social, honest, upright citizen beloved by all but more specially by the older settlers of the county by whom he was known as honest Jack Vontrees".