John,

I think I may have a connection or at least a very possible coincidence. Try this one for size:

Charles E. Van Wagner, born ca1837 (that's all I have, but that is the date that I show so it's quite remarkable. He was the eldest of five children, (2) William A. Van Wagner, b ca1839 (3) Margaret A. Van Wagner, b ca1841, (4) Theodore Van Wagner, b ca1843, and (5) James M. Van Wagner, b ca1847.
They were the children of William H. Van Wagner, b 10/1814, buried 12/13/1862 age 49-3 at Poughkeepsie, Dutchess County, NY, and Susan A. (?).In 1850 census they were in Poughkeepsie with their children but I don't know what happened to the after that.

Now here's an interesting tidbit. William H. VW had a younger brother named James Mott Van Wagner, b 7/8/1817 who was a rather famious Congregational Minister who resided most of his life in Sedalia, Missouri. He apparently was a fire and brimstone clergy and made quite a reputation for himself until his death in 1906.

There are a number of VW's who became clergy, but this is a rather close coincidence, don't you think? Did you ever hear of any these names? I've got much, much more (I've been researching the family for 24 years).

Regards, Carl
"Cvanwagenen.com"