John W Van Zandt

VAN ZANDT

Posted By: County Coordinator (email)
Date: 4/26/2010 at 11:19:46

John W Van Zandt, a well known and respected citizen of Madrid, is a prominent factor in financial circles as president of the Farmers Savings Bank. His birth occurred in Highland county, Ohio, on July 11, 1845, his parents being Joshua and Mary Ann (Thayer) Van Zandt, the former born in Virginia on February 2, 1818, and the latter in Vermont in 1822. The 1850 the family home was established in Kendall county, Illinois, and Joshua Van Zandt three resided until called to his final rest in May 1899. His wife passed away in 1891. They were the parents of the following children: Mrs Martha Smith, who is deceased, Mrs Jane Andrews, who has also passed away, John W of this review, George W w ho resides o the old home farm in Kendall county, Illinois, Mrs Mary Falkenberg living in Minooka, Illinois, Frank who makes his home in Eureka, California, and Mrs Hulda Falkenberg of Joliet, Illinois. The three eldest children were born in Ohio and the youngest members of the family in Illinois.
John W Van Zandt, who was a little lad of five years when taken by his parents to Kendall county, Illinois, there attended the common schools and early in life turned his attention to agricultural pursuits. In May 1864, he enlisted for one hundred days’ service as a member of Company H , One Hundred and Thirty-eight Volunteer Infantry, but remained with the Union troops about six moths, being detailed to guard railroad property in Missouri and adjoining states. He participated in several skirmishes and was honorably discharged at Springfield in November, 1864.
IN 1879 Mr Van Zandt brought his family to Garden township, Boone county, Iowa and for a number of years successfully cultivated one of the valuable and productive farms of the district, winning a gratifying measure of prosperity I his undertakings. At the present time he serves as president of the Farmers Savings Bank of Madrid, of which institution he is one of the heaviest stockholders and the continued growth and success of which is largely attributable to his able management and direction. He owns a handsome and well appointed residence in Madrid and is widely recognized as one of the prosperous and leading citizens of the community.
On May 12, 1866, Mr Van Zandt was united in marriage to Miss Addie Kennison, who was born in Vermont on November 19, 1848, her parents being Henry and Arvilla (Smith) Kennison, likewise natives of that state. The father passed away in Wilmington, Illinois, in 1857, while the mother’s demise also occurred in Will county, that state. Their children were as follows: Delos, who is deceased, Mrs Sarah Mason, who is a resident of Madrid, Iowa, Mrs Evaline Frise also of Madrid, Iowa, Frank who passed away in Kossuth county, Iowa, J S who was born on September 4, 1845, and resides in Madrid, Iowa, Mrs Susan Copp deceased, and Mrs Addie Van Zandt. The above named were born in Vermont and reared in Illinois. Unto Mr and Mrs Van Zandt have been born five children, four of whom still survive. William H whose birth occurred on October 11, 1867, was a graduate of the Iowa Agricultural College and was employed as postal clerk on the Milwaukee road from Marion to Council bluffs. He passed away on July 7, 1908. Mrs Nettie M Story, who was born on June 20, 1869, is a resident of Ames, Iowa E G whose natal day was December 19, 1872, has been a postal carrier in Des Moines for the past fourteen years. Mrs Cora Valline, who was born September 9, 1876, resides in Boone, Iowa her husband being a locomotive engineer in the employ of the Chicago & Northwestern Railway. Joshua, born April 24, 1890, is a graduate of the Madrid high school and the Capital City Commercial College of Des Moines, Iowa and is now in the employ of Davidson Brothers of Des Moines. All except the last named, who is a native of Garden township, this county, were born in Illinois.
Mr Van Zandt is a republican in politics and has always been interested and active in the work of the party in his home community. He has held all of the township offices and ably served as assessor of Garden township for may years, while at he present time he acts as assessor of the city of Madrid. He serves on the school board of Garden township and for the past eighteen years has been a valued member of the Madrid board of education. His cooperation and support ca ever be counted upon to further any movement or measure instituted to promote the general welfare and he is widely recognized as a most loyal, public spirited and progressive citizen. He is identified with the Grand Army of the Republic as a member of John Filmer Post, No 347, of Madrid of which he has long been quartermaster, and for one year served as its commander. His wife is a devoted and consistent member of the Madrid Christian church. Both Mr and Mrs Van Zandt are widely and favorably known throughout the county, having gained many friends during the long period of their residence here.

1914 Boone County History Book