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

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.

Family Profile: George H. Law Sr.

One of my favorite uncles in my family database is the subject of this family profile. He was a remarkable man who served during the Civil War in not only the Confederate Army, but Navy as well.

His name was George H. Law, my 3rd great grand uncle, and he was born in May 1838 in Howard County, Missouri. We believe he is the son of Richard and Mary Ann Law who were immigrants from England probably arriving here in the late 1830s. The only Law family in Missouri on the 1840 census, was a Richard Law in Howard County. This is the last time we see any mention of Richard and nothing is known about what happened to him after that point. Based on the enumeration of that census I believe that he may have been the father of our Law family. There is one other possible name that we have not been able to tie up that I will mention later.

Not much is known about George's first decade on this earth, but on the 1850 Federal census we see him and his sisters living with their mother (listed as Mrs. Law head of household) in New Orleans, Louisiana. Mrs. Law was running a boarding house in the 3rd ward of the city.

In 1855 George was listed in the New Orleans City directory and his occupation was listed as a clerk with a business at 5 Camp Street just west of Canal Street in New Orleans. In the 1856 City Directory, 5 Camp Street was listed as his residence address. I was unable to locate him or the family on the 1860 census, but the City Directory did list his residence as 394 Magazine Street in New Orleans.

In 1856 his sister Margareta Law (b. April 2, 1840 in Missouri) was married to Thaddeus Damascus Van Horn of New Orleans (see a profile on this blog for him and his family). Since Margareta was under age to marry, her mother had to sign the marriage record giving her permission to marry. She was listed as Mary Ann Leland. An intriguing witness that signed Margareta and Thaddeus' marriage license was a Fred Law. Nothing more is known about Richard or Fred Law and after 1856, Mary Ann Leland is not seen again in any record I have checked. These people all remain a mystery to me.

George also had two sisters, Emily (b. 1841 in Missouri) and Sophia (b. 1842 in Missouri). Nothing more is known about Emily, but Sophia died on August 17, 1853, in New Orleans, during the Yellow Fever epidemic of that year. She was buried in the Protestant/Girod Street Cemetery. Those graves were later moved to make way for the construction of the Louisiana Superdome, and we are not sure were she is buried in the city today.

After the Civil War broke out, George enlisted in Confederate service with the famed Washington Artillery, Company 5. He enlisted as a private and was present on all muster rolls to December 1863. On the roll for January 1-April 30, 1864, it listed him absent for a furlough for 30 days by order of General Johnston. Rolls from May 1864-April 1865 indicated he as absent from the Washington Artillery and that he had reported to Confederate States Navy, but no official notice had been received. Based on an accounting of his muster rolls, we know that he was present at the battles of Jackson (MS), Glass' Mills (GA) and Chickamauga (GA).














You can learn more about the famed Washington Artillery at http://www.washingtonartillery.com/

http://www.geocities.com/Heartland/Woods/3501/rosters.htm

http://www.freewebs.com/wa5thcoaot/

After many years of searching we have finally been able to document his Confederate naval service. From the website http://www.tfoenander.com/maconcrew.htm, we known that he served as a gunner on board the CSS Macon. This vessel was a wooden steam gunboat of about 150 feet length, which carried 6 guns. She was formerly named the Ogeechee, which was fitted out in early 1864 at Savannah, Georgia, and commissioned in the Confederate States Navy. The vessel was renamed the Macon in June of that year, and reported as being ready for duty by early August, although her crew numbers were still below the required amount of about 100. When Savannah was taken by Union forces in late December, 1864, the CSS Macon moved up the Savannah River, on December 24, to Augusta, Georgia, where she remained until the end of the war. [DANFS 2, 545.]

After the war, George moved back to New Orleans and his 394 Magazine address per the City Directories.

Sometime circa 1866, George married Eugenia Caroline Poole (b. Apr 1845 in Louisiana). She was the daughter of Major William Lawrence Poole (1804-1893) and Mary Catherine Cotton (1808- bef 1880). In 1866, George's occupation was listed as a clerk for a business located at 167 Canal Street. His residence was listed as 82 Euterpe and Apollo. On May 12, 1867, George and Caroline were listed as the god parents at the baptism for one of Thaddeus and Margareta's children, Anna Gertrude Van Horn. This ceremony took place at the Trinity Episcopal Church at 1329 Jackson Avenue in New Orleans.

In 1869, the New Orleans City Directory listed George's occupation as a clerk at Louis Grunewald and in 1870 the family moved to a new home at 354 St. Andrews in New Orleans. Sometime between July 1873 (the birth date of their fourth child) and December 1874, George moved his family to Cuero, DeWitt County, Texas. The 1880 Federal census listed his occupation as a railroad agent. Starting in 1893, we found records showing that he was an officer in the Emmett Lynch Confederate Veterans Camp in Cuero.

In 1899, George and his family were on the move again, this time setting up shop in Galveston, Texas, were he remained until his death on June 21, 1905.

George and Caroline had six children (listed below)

1. Mary Cotton Law b. November 1867 New Orleans, Orleans Parish, Louisiana; d. March 19, 1881 New Orleans, Orleans Parish, Louisiana; burial place unknown

2. George H. Law Jr. b. Mar 1869 New Orleans, Orleans Parish, Louisiana; d.January 4, 1945 Seattle, King Co, Washington; burial place unknown. He married a Cara W. ? in 1902 in Texas and we have documented two known children.

3. Harry Woodward Law b. December 1871 New Orleans, Orleans Parish, Louisiana; d. June 12, 1948 Tacoma, Pierce Co, Washington; burial place unknown. He married a Johnnie ? in 1898. We have no known children from this marriage.

4. Eugenia Carolina Law b. July 1873 New Orleans, Orleans Parish, Louisiana; d. November 30, 1874 New Orleans, Orleans Parish, Louisiana; burial place unknown

5. Thaddeus Van Horn Law b. April 11, 1876 Cuero, DeWitt Co, Texas; d. March 22, 1943 Galveston, Galveston Co, Texas; buried in the Oleander Cemetery in Galveston. He married Myrtle Grey circa 1909 in Galveston. They had one son Thad Allen Law b. March 1, 1912 Galveston, Galveston Co, Texas; d. May 3, 1973 Galveston, Galveston Co, Texas; buried in Old City Cemetery in Galveston. he was never married and did serve in the Army during WWII.

Earlier this week I finally found an obituary for George H. Law Sr. on Ancestry.com that fills in some additional details on his life. That obit is presented below. We still do not have any end of life information on George's wife Caroline and are actively seeking that information

Obituary of George H. Law Sr.
Source: Galveston Daily News 22 Jun 1905 Page 3 col 5

Deputy County Clerk and an old Citizen Expired Suddenly Yesterday

Mr. George H. Law Sr., Deputy County Clerk for Galveston County, died yesterday and an old citizen of Galveston, died yesterday afternoon, aged 67 years. The death was quite unexpected, and came as a surprise and shock to the many friends of the deceased. For two or three days past Mr. Law had complained of feeling badly, but had continued his duties at the County Clerk's office, where he was usually engaged in recording deeds, transfers and other instruments. Yesterday morning he came to work as usual, arriving at the office shortly before 8 o'clock, somewhat earlier than his custom. About noon he left the office and went home to dinner. About 2 o'clock he left home and came to town going to the office of Dr. W.C. Fisher for the evident purpose of securing medical attention.

Dr. Fisher was not in his office, and Mr. Law inquired of Dr. H.R. Dudgeon, who has his office adjoining, as to what time Dr. Fisher was expected in stating that he was feeling bad. Dr. Dudgeon went to his office, and in a short time heard Mr. Law breathing loudly, and upon going in found him lying over in his chair, very pale a gasping. he took him from the chair and laid him on the floor, where he died in a few moments.

Coroner R.H. Barry was called, and after an examination sanctioned the removal of the body to the undertaker's, giving it as his verdict that came to his death from natural causes. While no opinion as to the cause of his death was expressed by the doctors present, none of them had any previous experience with the case. The opinion was generally prevalent that he died from failure of the heart, due probably to acute indigestion.

George H. Law Sr. was born in Louisiana (exactly Missouri-LVH) in 1838. After seeing gallant service with the Confederacy during the Civil War, he removed from Louisiana to Texas, settling at Indianola, where he accepted a responsible position with the Morgan Steamship and Railway Company. Later he removed to Cuero, where he was for many years agent for the Morgan lines. After resigning this position he went into the insurance business. he came permanently to Galveston about 1899, and since that time has been constantly connected with the office of County Clerk, first during the terms of office of his son, George H. law, Jr., and later as deputy under the present Clerk, Mr. George F. Burgess. Surviving him are the widow and three sons. George H. Law, Jr., now residing in Seattle, Wash, Thad Law and Harry Law, both of whom live in Galveston.

Deceased was a valued citizen, a true friend and an obliging and cheerful official. He was a Knight Templar Mason, and the funeral, which will occur tomorrow evening at Cuero, will be under the auspices of the Masonic fraternity.

Sir Knights of San Felipe de Austin Commandery No. 1 are requested to be at the asylum this evening at 6:15 o'clock to escort the remains of Sir Knight George H. Law Sr. to the train.

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So if you are a Law, live in the Pacific Northwest, and are descendants of one of George Laws' two sons who moved there, please feel free to contact us at the email address in the masthead of this blog.

Unfortunately I have no pictures of this family or their graves, but will continue to search for them.