Mortimer Van Hyning, born February 8, 1848/9, of Dutch descent, was the great-grandson of Henry Van Hyning Sr, who fought in the Revolutionary War with Colonel Van Veghten's Albany County Militia, 13th Regiment, New York State. In 1804, Henry Van Hyning Sr, with his family, left New York State pushing westward and finally settling in Norton Center, (now) Summit County, Ohio. Henry Van Hyning's grandson, Abram Van Hyning, born January 16, 1800, married Jane O'Brian, born August 31, 1805, on February 26, 1824. To Abram and Jane were born nine children, the last of which was Mortimer Van Hyning.

Mortimer was only three years old when his mother Jane O'Brian Van Hyning died May 13, 1851 in Coldwater, Michigan. Martha Van Hyning, an older sister, 18 when her mother died and a school teacher, really raised Mortimer. Wherever she taught, along went Mortimer. As he grew older he would spend summers with his brothers and sisters but he liked best working during the summer for his older brother Robert Nelson Van Hyning who by this time had married Catherine Inskeep. They lived in Perry Township, Logan County. Sister Martha who was teaching in Iowa met and married George Isham later on to the state of Oregon. Abram Van Hyning, after his wife's death, left Coldwater, Michigan, moved to East Liberty, Ohio where he was close to his brother Joel Van Hyning and his son Nelson Van Hyning. All of this may have influenced Mortimer to feel at home in Logan County.

Mortimer must have been ambitious, keen and thrifty. He worked for Mr. David Springate saving every possible cent. Not far from the Springate farm was the home of Samuel Lease Wonders and Susan Courter Wonders. Mortimer fell in love with their daughter Virginia (Jen) Wonders, born October 2, 1857. They married October 22, 1878. Mortimer and Jen, as she was called, bought 87 1/2 acres of land with the virgin timber still on it south of Samuel and Susan Wonders' farm on the east bank of Mad River in Jefferson Township. Samuel Wonders was a carpenter and cabinet maker. He built an eight room house with a long porch on the whole south side of this house. After the family increased to five children this porch was partially torn off to build another room on the original house. The total cost was $600.00. The timber was cut from the trees surrounding or nearby the new house and we presume Samuel's work was gratis. It is still standing. Mortimer and Jen's children called their home "Mad River Dale."

To Mortimer and Virginia Van Hyning were born eight children: Anna, m. G.E. Dunaway; James, m. Mae Wickersham, Zanesfield, Ohio; Sam, m. Esther Wilkins, Caldwell, Idaho; Grover, m. Lavitha Geho, Zanesfield, Ohio; Hazel, m. W.O. Holland, Hardin County, Ohio; Martha, m. C.H. Ellis, Yellow Springs, Ohio; Sue, m. Roy Taylor, Ferry, NY. Their descendants "pepper" Logan County with names of Cooksey, Dunaway, McClain, King, and yes, there still are many Van Hynings.

Mortimer Van Hyning died January 16, 1917, Virginia, September 12, 1920. Both are buried in the Zanesfield Cemetery. ('Logan County Ohio 1982' p. 452-453, submitted by Frances Holland Jackson)

Children of Mortimer and Virginia Wonders Van Hyning:

• Anna Lois (1880-1948)
• James Abraham (1882-1964)
• Samuel John (1883-1959)
• Grover Cleveland (1885-1969)
• Hazel Mary (1887-1985)
• Martha Jane (1890-1932)
• Susan Evangeline (1894-1947)
• Virginia Belle (1899-1996)