Wycoff Van Derhoef, of 109 Joralemon street, was one of the wealthiest and best known residents of the Eastern District and Secretary of the Williamsburgh City Fire Insurance Company. Mr. Van Derhoef was on his way from a visit to his sister in Europe and was a passenger on the ill-fated Titanic. It was Mr. Van Derhoef’s custom to make this trip every three or four years. Four years ago his aged mother died, and this was the first trip that Mr. Van Derhoef had made since then.

At Mr. Van Derhoef’s pretty home at 109 Joralemon street, nothing could be learned this morning either to confirm or deny the awful news.

Mr. Van Derhoef came this country when a small boy. Forty years of his life has been spent in the employ of the Williamsburgh City Fire Insurance Company. From office boy he has raised himself steadily in the ranks until two years ago he was elected secretary of the company. Besides this official capacity, Mr. Van Derhoef was one of the largest stockholders of the company.

Mr. Van Derhoef’s home life was ideal. Two sons, Marshall and Newell, 22 years of age, who were the pride of his life. [sic] Marshall graduated form Cornell two years ago and like his brother, has embarked in business life in Manhattan, still continuing however, to make up the family circle in Brooklyn.

Besides his connection with the Williamsburgh City Fire Insurance Company, Mr. Van Derhoef was [a] well-known man of affairs in Brooklyn. He was the nephew of William Marshall, who was the owner of the old William Wall Rope Works on Bushwick avenue and Siegel street, long since torn down and was also related to George W. Chauncey, president of the Mechanics Bank of Brooklyn.