Dr. William Law Van Horn and Family - Update

Picture (L-R): Mattie Parry Mallory-Van Horn, Willie Law Van Horn (infant), Dr. William Law Van Horn

Source: Biographical and Historical Memoirs of Louisiana (Page 429-430). A complete family group sheet has been posted on our website (link on the right of this page). Dr. William Law Van Horn is the second great grandfather of the Family Roots and Branches Blog author Larry Van Horn.

William L. Van Horn, M.D. Ph.M., of Columbia, Caldwell Parish, Louisiana, is the eldest of ten children of T.D. and Margaretta (Law) Van Horn, and was born in the city of New Orleans, Louisiana, October 28, 1857.

His father (Thaddeus Damascus Van Horn, see below) was born in Port Gibson, Mississippi, and his mother was a native of Missouri. When but a small boy T. D. Van Horn was taken to Tallahassee, Florida, where he grew to manhood and received his early education.

During the year 1843 he married Miss Mary Ann Faust, who became the mother of four children: James Faust, Thaddeus Damascus; Mary Permelia and Thaddeus Damascus; James Faust and Mary Permelia now surviving.

In 1851 T. D. Van Horn moved to New Orleans and became the manager of the New Orleans Crescent, the leading whig paper of the South. His first wife dying in 1853, he married Miss Margaretta Law, August 12, 1856. He was the manager of the Crescent until the breaking out of war, when he was commissioned by Governor Moore as aid-de-camp on the staff of the Third brigade of the state troops ans was by him assigned to duty on Colonel Scott’s staff, and afterward aid-de-camp on the staff of General Wheeler.

After the war he assisted in the re-establishment of The Crescent of which he was business manager until the close in 1869. In 1870 he organized the Lafayette bank of New Orleans and was elected cashier, which position he resigned two years later, when he was elected cashier of the Metropolitan bank, retained that position for sixteen years and a half, and then resigned. He is now cashier and bookkeeper of the New Orleans States, one of the leading persons of the city.

He is a very popular and highly respected citizen, and in one way or another has been connected with many important interests and institutions in the Crescent City. As a Mason, he is widely known having taken the thirty-second degree. He has held all of the offices in his lodge of which he is a life member.

Dr. William L. Van Horn began life for himself at the age of sixteen as an apprentice of the drug trade in New Orleans, and at the same time began the study of medicine. He became a student of medicine and pharmacy at the Tulane University of Louisiana, in 1876, and graduated there from both branches in 1879, and during that year began practicing his profession in New Orleans, Louisiana. A year later he removed to Columbia (Caldwell Parish), Louisiana, where he has built up a lucrative practice, in connection with which he conducts a profitable drug business.
He was married in 1880 to Mary Francis, daughter of Judge R. D. Bridger, of Columbia, Louisiana, who bore him one son and one daughter, both of whom are now dead. Mrs. Van Horn died at Pineville, Louisiana, in 1883, the family having recently removed to that place.

After her death the Doctor returned to Columbia, Louisiana., and in January, 1886, married Miss Mattie Parry Mallory, of Panola County, Texas. By this marriage he has had five children: William L., Mattie R., Oliver H., Marguerite Lillian and Vannah Elliot.

Family of Dr. William Law Van Horn (1857-1897)
Picture:
Front Row (L-R): William Law Van Horn, Mattie Rosebud Van Horn, Mattie Parry Mallory-Van Horn, Oliver Herbert Van Horn. Back Row (L-R): Vannah Elliott Van Horn, Marguerite Lillian Van Horn.

The Doctor has acquired considerable property, being the owner of an elegant residence and a large store and business house in Columbia, and of 160 acres of good land situated in a suburb of that town. He is a member of the Masonic fraternity, of the Knights of Pythias and of the Independent Order of Odd Fellows. His professional standing is first class, and his skill as a physician and surgeon is recognized throughout north Louisiana. He is the leading practitioner of Columbia and the parish of Caldwell.

His skill and integrity have both been recognized by the parish and town by his election twice to the office of coroner of the parish and councilman of the town of Columbia, also by the various insurance companies. He was elected by the New York Life Insurance company, the Mutual Life of New York, the Pennsylvania Mutual of Philadelphia, the Equitable Life of Massachusetts and the Endowment Rank, Knights of Pythias, as their medical examiner in Caldwell parish. He and his wife are members of the Methodist Episcopal church south.

Mattie Parry Mallory-Van Horn
























Dr. William Law Van Horn and Family

Husband Dr. William Law Van Horn (41)
Birth* 28 Oct 1857 New Orleans, Orleans Parish, Louisiana
Marriage* 12 Feb 1880 Columbia, Caldwell Parish, Louisiana
Marriage* 23 Jan 1885 Mattie Parry Mallory (47) (b. 17 Jan 1866, d. 31 Oct 1942); Panola County, Texas
Death* 9 Jun 1897 Hot Springs, Garland County, Arkansas

Father* Captain Thaddeus Damascus Van Horn (42) (b. 20 Oct 1820, d. 5 Apr 1905)
Mother* Margaretta Law (55) (b. 2 Apr 1840, d. 3 Jun 1918)

1st Wife Mary Frances Bridger (53)
Birth* 22 Nov 1857 Columbia, Caldwell Parish, Louisiana
Death* 16 Jul 1883 Pineville, Rapides Parish, Louisiana
Burial* __ Jul 1883 Columbia Hill Cemetery, Columbia, Caldwell Parish, Louisiana

Father* Honorable Robert Dixon Bridger (57) (b. 25 Apr 1835, d. 7 Feb 1890)
Mother* Mary Frances Redditts (4954) (b. 13 Jan 1838, d. 1 Sep 1870)

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Two Known Children to Dr. William Law Van Horn-Mary Frances Bridger
M Thaddeus Robert Van Horn (54)
Birth* 19 Sep 1881 Columbia, Caldwell Parish, Louisiana
Death* 7 Jun 1882 Columbia, Caldwell Parish, Louisiana
Burial* __ Jun 1882 Columbia Hill Cemetery, Columbia, Caldwell Parish, Louisiana

F Infant Van Horn (56)
Birth* circa 1883 Louisiana
Death* circa 1883 Louisiana

2nd Wife Mattie Parry Mallory (47)
Birth* 17 Jan 1866 Panola County, Texas
Marriage* 23 Jan 1885 Panola County, Texas
Death* 31 Oct 1942 Munsey Park, Nassau County, New York
Burial* __ ___ ____ Lafayette Cemetery No. 1, Square 3 Plots 152/153/half 154, New Orleans, Orleans Parish, Louisiana

Father* Dr. William Wesley Mallory (4775) (b. 1830, d. before 1870)
Mother* Rosannah Margaret Parry (4776) (b. 1836, d. after 1880)

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The Five Known Children of Dr. William Law Van Horn-Mattie Parry Mallory

M Willie Law Van Horn (39)
Birth* 1 Dec 1885 Columbia, Caldwell Parish, Louisiana
Marriage* 26 Apr 1909 Jessie Witt (40) (b. 10 Jun 1890, d. 26 Feb 1979), daughter of Private John Christopher Witt (79) and Henrietta Elizabeth Lange (80); Kerr County, Texas

Son: 7 Aug 1911 Witt Lange Van Horn (34); Medina City, Bandera County, Texas
Son: 30 May 1913 Victor Clark Van Horn (44); Medina County, Texas

Divorce* 21 Nov 1914 Jessie Witt (40); Bandera County, Texas
Marriage* __ Jun 1916 Bertha Mae Bowers (8647) (b. 19 Jan 1892, d. 30 Jan 1965); Longview, Gregg County, Texas

Daughter: 3 Aug 1917 Mattie Elizabeth Van Horn (8648); Tarrant County, Texas

Death* 20 Feb 1960 U.S. Navy Hospital, Corpus Christi, Nueces County, Texas
Burial* 23 Feb 1960 Seaside Memorial Park, Corpus Christi, Nueces County, Texas

F Mattie Rosebud Van Horn (49)
Birth* 14 Oct 1888 Louisiana, United States.
Marriage* 10 Sep 1904 Robert McCulloh Eckols (9616) (b. after 10 Oct 1883, d. 7 Oct 1904); New Orleans, Orleans Parish, Louisiana
Marriage* 12 Nov 1907 Walter Brashaer Capron (4928) (b. Oct 1885, d. 8 Jan 1921), son of Joseph Capron (8517) and Sarah L. [--?--] (8518); New Orleans, Orleans Parish, Louisiana

They had one child a daughter: Helen Loraine Capron (4929) b. 16 Jul 1909 ; New Orleans, Orleans Parish, Louisiana; d. 28 Feb 1999, Christiansburg, Montgomery Co, Virginia. Married Malcolm Field Pratt (date and location unknown). He was born 12 Mar 1898 in Somerville, Norfolk Co, Massachusetts and died 11 Mar 1959, location unknown.

Mattie Rosebud Death: __ Feb 1960, location unknown

M Oliver Herbert Van Horn (50)
Birth* 28 Nov 1889 Columbia, Caldwell Parish, Louisiana
Marriage* 14 Dec 1911 Alma Marie Clerc (9617) (b. 31 Oct 1893, d. 26 Dec 1966), daughter of Emile H. Clerc (9623) and Marie A. Cazentre (9624); New Orleans, Orleans Parish, Louisiana

Son: __ ___ 1914 Leslie Andrew Van Horn (9618); New Orleans, Orleans Parish, Louisiana

Marriage* __ ___ 1928 Cleoma Myrtle Eckols (4952) (b. 13 Jul 1909, d. 22 Feb 1984),daughter of Elizabeth [--?--] (27992); San Antonio, Bexar County,
Texas

Daughter: 13 Oct 1931 Yvonne Cleoma Van Horn (6626); Bexar County, Texas

Death* 12 Jun 1953 Houston, Harris County, Texas
Burial* __ Jun 1953 Lafayette Cemetery No. 1, Square 3 Plots 152/153/half 154, New Orleans, Orleans Parish, Louisiana

F Marguerite Lillian Van Horn (51)
Birth* 8 Jan 1892 Louisiana, United States.
Marriage* 4 Nov 1912 Mayo Walter Black (9619) (b. 11 May 1888, d. between 1918 and 1920); New Orleans, Orleans Parish, Louisiana
Marriage* aft 1920 George William Lamb (4953) (b. Dec 1873 d. Jan 1966)
Death* 20 Oct 1982 Pinellas County, Florida

M Vannah Elliot Van Horn (52)
Birth* 17 Dec 1895 Columbia, Caldwell Parish, Louisiana
Marriage* after 5 Jun 1917 Susan Edna Drake (4945) (b. 25 Aug 1917 1888, d. 21 Dec 1965); San Antonio, Bexar County, Texas

Son: 10 Apr 1927 Lt. Colonel Vannah Elliott Van Horn Jr. (4946); San Antonio, Bexar County, Texas

Death* 29 Mar 1942 Mexico City, Districto Federal, Mexico.
Burial* __ Apr 1942 Lafayette Cemetery No. 1, New Orleans, Orleans Parish, Louisiana

Edwina Lee Brantly-Redus Has Passed Away

I have received word from cousin George M. Redus Sr, that his sister-in-law, Edwina Lee Brantly-Redus, passed away this morning. She was the wife of John Clement Redus, Jr. who passed away just last April.

REDUS
Edwina Lee Redus died August 30, 2009. She was born in Hollister, Oklahoma on October 8, 1921, the oldest child of Robert T. and Allie Brantly. She was preceded in death by her beloved husband of 63 years, John C Redus, Jr. Edwina is survived by her brother, Robert and wife, Betty; daughter, Elizabeth Newell and husband, Chuck; grandsons, Patrick and Timothy Newell. Other survivors include Audrey Brians, Mildred Brooks, Clifford and Lorene Redus, Allan and Sonia Redus, Jean Redus, George and Kay Redus, Loretta Redus and many nieces and nephews. Edwina moved to Devine, Texas as a teenager. It was in Devine that she met and married John C. Redus Jr in 1945 after his return from World War II. Edwina worked at Kelly AFB for 40 years. She and John C. delighted in traveling to Europe, Alaska and Hawaii. They were charter members of the Kum Dubl (Come Double) Sunday School class at Travis Heights Methodist and were also members of Laurel Heights Methodist. A strong and determined woman, Edwina was devoted to her family and friends. She was a loving mother and grandmother and will be greatly missed by all who knew her.

SERVICE THURSDAY SEPTEMBER 3, 2009 10:00 A.M.
LAUREL HEIGHTS METHODIST CHURCH 227 W. WOODLAWN
Rev. Jon D. Lowry officiating.

Memorial contributions may be sent to Laurel Heights United Methodist Church, 227 W. Woodlawn, San Antonio, TX 78212. Interment in Devine Evergreen Cemetery.

John Redus - One of the Orignal Texas Trail Drivers

From the book, Trail Drivers of Texas, pages 811-813, courtesy of the University of Texas Press.

JOHN REDUS

Memories of Mrs. Sallie McLamore Redus



John Redus was born in Athens, Alabama, December 25, 1833, and moved to Mississippi when a boy. He lived there until he was about twenty-two years old, when his health failed and he got in with a party coming to Texas. His father furnished him with a buggy and negro driver, and on the way he was so sick he had to be helped in and out of the buggy.

When they reached Austin, there was a big crowd from San Antonio to hear General Sam Houston speak, and he met up with some people from his home town, Aberdeen, Mississippi. My father and some others from Mississippi had bought land and settled on Hondo Creek, ten milers west of Castroville, then the county seat of Medina county. I don't know how he ever found us, but he did, and came right out and joined us.

This being a stock country, he soon got in with the stock men, and his health improved so rapidly that he decided to stay and go into the stock business. His father sent money with which to buy land and cattle, and he purchased land from the Adams brothers, who had a big ranch on the Hondo, thirteen miles south of us.

John Redus was soon joined in his undertaking by his brothers, William and George Redus, and they started business on a small scale. I was the first girl Mr. Redus got acquainted with in Medina county and naturally we had to be sweethearts, and on December 11, 1859, my twentieth birthday, we were married, and the next day we went to our new home as happy as any couple could be, although I knew I did not have a neighbor nearer than four miles.



The Indians came in every light moon and stole horses, killed a man occasionally, and were very troublesome, but all went well with us. We were prosperous until the Civil War came on, and all the white men joined the army, and the negroes and I had to go back to my father's place near the German settlements.

When the war was over the men came home and we went back to our ranch and began anew. The men had to be out on the range for weeks at a time to round up the stock, which had had but little attention during the period of the war, only our nephew, Tallie Burnett, and the negro boys would go once a week to put out salt and look around. But all hands had to hustle. The Indians were bad for a long time, and we always had to keep guns handy, although luckily we never had to use them. Notwithstanding these troublous times, we prospered.



Mr. Redus would buy more cattle every year and locate more land, and finally he bought the Adams brothers' land when they went west to get larger holdings. About this time the drives to Kansas started. Mr. Redus was one of the first to engage in trail driving and one of the last to stop. He was successful for awhile, but got to speculating, buying remnants of herds wintered in Kansas, and when the great panic of 1873 came on, and so many banks failed, he had to sell for less than he gave, and we went broke.

I made one trip with Mr. Redus to Kansas, taking along my baby boy, Robert. I have always regretted that I did not go every year, for I could have gone if I had known it. At that time the railroad came only as far as Luling, and we had to go there by stage from San Antonio.

In looking back it seems a long time, and many changes are noticeable, but really I believe we had better times and were happier then than now. Everybody was your friend, and were glad to entertain you.

In reading the first volume of the old Trail Drivers' book I find many familiar names, people I knew personally, and many who did business with my husband, but most of them have passed on, and some, like us, had lost everything they had accumulated. Mr. Redus died July 25, 1895, of the same disease he had left Mississippi to escape lung trouble.



I am now eighty-two years old, am in good health, keep house and do all my work. I have written this by request of my friend, Mr. W. B. Hardeman.

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During the Civil War John was a private in the 33rd Texas Calvary (Texas Partisan Rangers), Company A (Captain Duff's Company)

John Redus Civil War Timeline

May 4, 1862 Company Muster-in Roll Enlisted in San Antonio, Bexar County, Texas, terms of enlistment 3 yrs or war.

May-Jun 1862 Company Muster Roll - Present

Jul-Aug 1862 Company Muster Roll - last paid Jun 30 1862, value of horse $150, equipment $50

Sep-Oct 1862 Company Muster Roll - last paid Aug 31, 1862, value of horse $150, equipment $50

Nov-Dec 1862 Company Muster Roll - last paid Oct 31, 1862, value of horse $150, equipment $50

Mar-Apr 1863 Company Muster Roll - last paid Dec 31, 1862, value of horse $150, equipment $50, sick furlough based on surgeon certificate.

April 1864 Regimental Return - Absent, sick at home, surgeons certificate

May 1864 Regimental Return - Absent, sick at home, surgeons certificate

Jun 1864 Regimental Return - Absent, sick at home, surgeons certificate

There are several other miscellaneous documents in this compiled record including a letter to a Mr. George M. Redus in Laredo dated 2 July 1953 from the Adjutant General regarding John's service.

The Life and Times of Roscoe Redus

One of my favorite first cousins (4 times removed), was Corporal Roscoe Redus.

Roscoe was born 13 July 1876, on his father's ranch in Medina County, Texas. His father was Civil War 1st Lieutenant William Redus (1835-1885) and Calpurnia Lignon Greenwood (1848-1930).

On the 1880 US Federal Population Schedule Census, we see Roscoe living at home with his parents in Medina County. By the time the 1900 census rolls around Roscoe was living by himself in Medina County and his occupation was listed as a stockman.

On 24 April 1901, Roscoe married Ruby Terrell, probably in Medina County. They has one child by this marriage, Carmen Redus, b. 10 October 1903 in Medina County. Carmen married Cecil M. Harvey Sr on 11 August 1921. Cecil was a high official with Southwest Bell just prior to his death in 1979.

Roscoe's first wife Ruby died in 1906.

Roscoe was a Texas Ranger and a veteran of the Spanish American War. My cousin George M. Redus' father said, "He was a very good looking man and women really fell for him."

Roscoe married his second wife Matilda Soettle (b. 3 march 1877) around 1917. Matilda had a lot of property around Medina Lake north of Devine, Medina County, Texas. There is an area around the lake called Roscoe Redus Cove. Matilda died 15 April 1958 in Bandera County and is buried at the St. Stanislaus Catholic Church cemetery, also in Bandera County.

Roscoe served as a Corporal in Company D, 1st Texas Volunteers, during the Spanish American War. But it was his service in the Texas Rangers that is the focus of this profile. Roscoe enlisted in the Regular Rangers Force, Company B, by Captain Tom Ross. His enlistment application indicated that Roscoe was single. But his service in the Rangers was far from uneventful. In fact, I recently uncovered this bit of Roscoe trivia recently at
http://www.laredosnews.com/archives/jan2005/perspective_02.html

In 1910, one of Captain Thomas Ross' sergeants in Ranger Company B enacted a drunken scene that was later to become a staple of Western movies. Sergeant Roscoe Redus rode his horse into an Ysleta saloon, pistol-whipped the proprietor, and shot up the premises. The El Paso Morning Times was not amused, noting that the community did not appreciate the Ranger's attempt to convert the Alamo Saloon into "a livery stable and a morgue."

Another account of Roscoe's escapade was chronicled in the book, The Texas Rangers and the Mexican Revolution By Charles H. Harris, III, Louis R. Sadler. On page 30 they wrote:

"Unfortunately, Captain Ross's success was completely overshadowed by the regrettable Redus affair. Roscoe Redus was sergeant of captain Ross's company. He decided to have a few drinks with the boys but worked up a real head of steam. He got roaring drunk and rode has horse through a saloon, assaulting the proprietor and shooting up the place. Captain Ross was of course furious and immediately discharged Redus on January 12 (1910). As an El Paso newspaper put it. "Redus downfall followed an attempt on the ranger's part to make a livery stable and a morgue out of the Alamo Saloon recently"

Roscoe died on 23 Jun 1954 in San Antonio, Bexar County, Texas. He was buried in the Devine Evergreen cemetery in Medina County on 26 Jun 1954.

I know that Carmen Redus and Cecil Harvey Sr had two sons -- Cecil Jr and Roscoe Robert Harvey. If they or any of their descendants are still around, I would like to hear from them and maybe learn a bit more about Roscoe and his life and times. They can contact me at the address in the masthead.

So here is a six gun salute to Cousin Roscoe Redus, a true Texas hell raiser. Way to go Roscoe.

A Redus Cousin Passes Away

It is with deep sadness that I have to announce the passing of John Clement Redus, Jr. on April 21 in San Antonio. John's funeral was Saturday (April 25). To all of John's family and friends, especially to his brother George Redus, please accept our deepest sincere sympathy.


REDUS

John Clement Redus, Jr. died on April 21, at the age of 93. He was born on a farm south of Devine, Texas on Nov. 7, 1915, the second of John C. Sr., and Hazel Redus' fourteen children. He was preceded in death by his parents and eight siblings. John C. is survived by Edwina, his wife of 63 years, daughter Elizabeth Newell and her husband Chuck, grandsons, Patrick Newell and Timothy Newell, brothers, Bill Redus, George Redus and wife Kay, Clifford Redus and wife, Lorene, Allen Ray Redus and wife Sonia, and by sister, Mildred Brooks. Also surviving are sister-in-laws Loretta Redus and Jean Redus, brother-in-law Robert Brantly and wife Betty, and by many nieces and nephews.

After graduating from Devine High School in 1933, John C. moved to San Antonio, where he worked for many years at Central Distributing Co. When World War II broke out, he joined the Army Air Corp, serving for 4 years, three of which were overseas in the Pacific. John C. was a member of the Kum Dubl Class at Travis Park United Methodist Church for 50 years. He spent the last ten years in the Believer's Class at Laurel Heights Methodist. John C. was a devoted husband, a kind and loving father and a proud grandfather. The other loves of his life were Texas Longhorn football, his backyard garden, and his ever-present camera. He was always eager to plan another trip to Europe. An avid reader, he preferred military and political history, and loved keeping up with current events. He always saw the best in every person and made friends to the end. He was kind and generous, unpretentious and steadfast. He was devoted to his many brothers and sisters and looked forward with great anticipation to the annual Redus Reunion, where many childhood memories where shared with relish. He will be sadly missed this year, and in all the years to come.

Hook'em Horns John

Making Progress on my Law Family Research

I have finally made some headway in my Law family research. Here are some of the latest, and maybe one of you will recognize something to help me with the British portion of my research.

My 3rd great grandmother is Margareta Law (b. 2 Apr 1840, Howard Co, MO and d. 3 Jun 1918, New Orleans, Orleans Parish, LA)

She married my 3rd great grandfather Thaddeus Damascus Van Horn (b. 20 Oct 1820, Claiborne Co, MS and d. 5 Apr 1905, New Orleans, Orleans Parish, LA) on 12 Aug 1856, in St. Paul's Church, New Orleans, Orleans Parish, LA.

I have a complete history on this couple (including a picture of Margareta) on this blog at
http://larry-family-history.blogspot.com/2009/03/sketch-of-old-citizen-thaddeus-d-van.html

Margareta's brother was George H. Law. I have complete details on his life and family at http://larry-family-history.blogspot.com/2008/07/family-profile-george-h-law-sr.html

Now the for the new stuff.

Margareta and George's mother is Mary Ann Simmonds. Until about a month ago, not only could I not confirm that, but I never knew much at all about her.

I believe Mary Ann Simmonds married Richard Horton Law, sometime around the middle 1830s somewhere in the UK. I believe Richard was born in the UK around 1793, parents unknown. He appeared to disappear, probably passed away c. 1846 in Howard Co, MO, based on the best evidence we have right now. I have an IGI marriage records Richard Law m Ann Simms 21 Apr 1834, Saint Martin, Birmingham, Warwick, England. Not sure if this is them or what.

I next see Mary Ann on the US 1850 census in New Orleans with her children in New Orleans running a boarding house at 12 Carandolet.

On 6 March 1854, she married William D. Leland, in New Orleans. She signed as mother for her 16 years old daughter Margareta to marry in 1856. She then disappeared completely after that life event, until recently.

While working family obits at GenealogyBank recently I found the great golden nugget below.

New Orleans Times, 3-7-1875, Page 4

Died

BURLINGSON-Of chronic bronchitis, February 7, 1875, at her residence, No. 5 Vernon Place, Bloomsbury Square, London, Mrs. Ann Simmonds Burlingson (mother of Mr. George H. Law and Mrs. T.D. Van Horn) aged 65 years. and a resident of this city for many years.

New York City, Missouri, and Texas papers please copy.

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So sometime after 1856 she returned to the UK, apparently married a man named Burlingson (I find no marriage record at this point over here so I assume she married in the UK), and died in London.

I have no information on her parents, info on her last marriage, when she returned to the UK, or where she is buried. Can anybody in the UK tell me where she is buried and if a tombstone pic is available? I don't have a clue where to check on London cemetery transcipts and pics.

Any help in filling in these last few holes of her life would be sincerely appreciated.

Sketch of an Old Citizen - Thaddeus D. Van Horn

Thaddeus Damascus Van Horn is my third great grandfather and one of my favorite ancestors to research. TD was married twice and had 15 children between the two wifes. Contrary to family legend and written accounts, his first wife Mary Ann Faust did not die in 1853. In reality they divorced. We have discovered a previously undocumented child that was conceived at the end of that marriage. I have posted a complete family group sheet for his family on our website.




SKETCH OF AN OLD CITIZEN
The Extended Career of - Mr. T.D. Van Horn

[Copied from an article which appeared in an old New Orleans Newspaper (New Orleans States)]

Who would imagine that the fine old looking gentleman, with the long grey beard, who has been the bookkeeper of the STATES since 1887, has over stepped the biblical three score and ten years by nearly twelve months. It is a fact, for Mr. Van Horn, who keeps so steadily and sturdily at work on his books, day in and day out, and on Saturdays until nearly midnight, first saw the light of day on October 20th, 1820.

A biographical sketch of Mr. Van Horn, printed at the request of his comrades of the Confederacy, fell under the notice of the States, and it contains interesting information about the well filled career of Thaddeus Damascus Van Horn. The preliminary notes state that the Van Horn family came from Amsterdam in 1740 and located in one of the New England states and fought gallantly for the Union during the Revolutionary War. They removed to Baltimore. One of the Van Horn's (James), left Baltimore and settled in Port Gibson, Mississippi where he married Pamela Hutchinson, a daughter of the Rev. James Hutchinson. They had one child, Thaddeus Damascus. Mrs. Van Horn died soon after the birth of her son. Three years later, Mr. Van Horn remarried. His second wife was Lucinda Abby, a sister of the Rev. Richard Abby of Yazoo City. Mr. Van Horn removed to Tallahassee, Florida where he was shot and killed, in 1840 by runaway negroes who he was trying to arrest.

Thaddeus Damascus followed mercantile pursuits in Tallahassee, Florida from 1835 to 1848. In 1843 he married Mary Ann Faust. They had four children, of whom two are now living, Mary Pamela, wife of Issac R. Harley of New York and James Faust of Dallas, Texas.

In 1848, Mr. Van Horn removed to Henderson, Texas. Two years later, he came to New Orleans for surgical treatment, having been shot during a personal encounter. He remained here permanently after having been under successful treatment by Dr. Warren Stone. During his first year in New Orleans, he traded between that city and Mexico.

In 1851 he entered the office of the Crescent, as mail clerk. In a few years he rose to be bookkeeper and business manager, and per pro of the establishment.

The Crescent being a strong Whig paper and advocate of secession, was suppressed by General Butler, during his occupancy of New Orleans. Mr. Van Horn sturdily withstood all threats, offers and promises made to induce him to foreswear his allegiance to the Confederacy. He was forced to quit New Orleans with his family and removed to Lincoln, Talledage County, Alabama. Mr. Van Horn joined the Confederate forces as aide-de-camp on the staff of Gen. John S. Scott, commanding the First Louisiana Cavalry, and later in the same company on the staff of General J. Wheeler. He served with considerable distinction until after the siege of Knoxville, when he obtained a leave of absence to look after his family. He remained at Talledage until after the close of the war, serving as assistant adjutant of the post, and acting provost marshal.

After the war, Mr. Van Horn returned to New Orleans and found that within one week after he left the Federals had seized his house, sold his effects and divided the spoils among themselves, his dwelling in possession of Mr. Flanders as abandoned property and occupied by quite a number of families of the lowest order; it was six months before he recovered his house, and in a terrible dilapidated condition. He aided Colonel Nixon to re-establish the Crescent, of which he was business manager until its close in 1869.

In 1870, Mr. Van Horn organized the Bank of Lafayette, with a capital of $100,000.00 personally obtaining all the subscriptions to its stock. He was elected cashier and remained with the bank during the first year of its existence, establishing it upon a firm basis.

Disagreeing with the President, Mr. Van Horn retired in May 1871 upon the election of officers for the second year and in September 1871, accepted the position of cashier of the Metropolitan Bank with which institution he remained sixteen year and five months and then resigned; since then, he has been engaged as bookkeeper of the New Orleans Daily States.

Mr. Van Horn remarried in 1856. His second wife was Margaretta Law, whose parents came over from England and settled in Missouri. Ten children were born to them. All are living as follows:



Dr. William Law Van Horn, Columbia, Louisiana; Addie Blonde, wife of A.B. Hundley, clerk of the district court, Colombia, La; Belle Randolph, First Assistant Teacher, McDonough School No. 18, New Orleans; Anna Gertrude, wife of Robert Lee Cooney, Atlanta, Georgia; Margaretta Pearl, wife of William H. Davis, St. Louis, Missouri; Thaddeus Dreux Van Horn, druggist and student of medicine, Columbia, Louisiana; Oliver Herbert, collector and student of mechanical engineering, Coleman's Foundry, New Orleans, Louisiana; Albert Cornelius, clerk for Branch K. Miller, Attorney at Law; Elmore Russell, clerk, Baldwin and Carter, Commission Merchants, New Orleans; and Mignonette Rutledge, at school.