The Blind Fiddler, Papa's grandfather on his mother's side

Obituary for Peter R. Van Houten as published March 8, 1876 in the Western Christian Advocate (publication of the Ohio Conference of the Methodist Episcopal Church), copies held in the Special Collection on the Ohio M.E. Church in the Archives of Ohio Wesleyan University, Delaware, Ohio.

Van Houten --- Rev. Peter R. Van Houten was born near Paterson, N. J. in 1814, and died in Delaware, O., January 20, 1876. When but an infant, a mistake in medical treatment induced lameness, so that until five years of age he was unable to walk, and during the rest of life he walked with difficulty by the aid of two canes.  When nine years of age, by an accident, he lost his eye-sight.  Crippled, blind, and poor, there seemed no hope for him but entire dependence on charity.  But he possessed more than ordinary determination, hopefulness, and mental power.  He soon learned to support himself by his rare musical ability, and the “Blind Fiddler” was in great demand at all the marry-makings in the vicinity of his home.  Converted in 1837, he joined the Church, and renounced attendance upon sinful pleasures and pursuits, and with it, it seemed to him, the hope of self-maintenance.  In 1839 he was licensed to preach, and from that time to the last week of his life he traveled as an evangelist, and was well known in many parts of the land.  In 1845 he came to Ohio to reside.  His acquaintance with the Bible was very thorough.  His knowledge of books, marvelous for a man of his opportunities, would have done credit to any one possessed of sight.  His library, read to him by his faithful wife, was well selected and carefully studied.  His preaching showed original thought as well as deep feeling.  He labored to the last, though under the added weight of a painful disease, and reached his humble home only in time to die.  In full confidence in Christ, he bade farewell to his wife and daughter and opened his eyes at last in heaven.

[End]

Sunbury Cemetery:

 “The blind preacher’s monument, to which was awarded the first premium of the second annual state fair of the State of Ohio, Sept. 27, 1851”.  [Hmmm. The date of this award is puzzling because his first wife, Alice, didn't die till October 1852.] The tombstone has many names on it, his parents, all of his siblings and his daughter Mary R.W. who was never buried there.]