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Below is a family biography included in Biographical and Historical Memoirs of Prairie County, Arkansas published by Goodspeed Publishing Company in 1890.  These biographies are valuable for genealogy research in discovering missing ancestors or filling in the details of a family tree. Family biographies often include far more information than can be found in a census record or obituary.  Details will vary with each biography but will often include the date and place of birth, parent names including mothers' maiden name, name of wife including maiden name, her parents' names, name of children (including spouses if married), former places of residence, occupation details, military service, church and social organization affiliations, and more.  There are often ancestry details included that cannot be found in any other type of genealogical record.

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J. M. Van Zandt, M. D. One of the very foremost among the professional and active business men of Barrettsville, is acknowledged to be Dr. Van Zandt, whose personal popularity is unlimited. He was born in Wayne County, Tenn., in 1841, being the eldest of five children born to Thomas T. and Elizabeth (Wells) Van Zandt, the former of whom was born in the State of Tennessee, in 1828, and there spent his youthful days and received his education. He was a minister of the Methodist Episcopal Church, and was a member of the Southwest Missouri Conference. In 1839 he married, his wife being a daughter of George Walls, and in 1844 he moved to Ozark County, Mo., and there became pastor of a church. Of five children born to him, our subject is the eldest. The next in order of birth is John W. (who lives in Marion County, Ark., is married, and has a family of six children), James A. B. (who resides near St. Charles), Elizabeth H. (Mrs. J. L. McSwayne, residing near De Vall’s Bluff) and Margaret P. (Mrs. C. E. Hayley, also residing near St. Charles). Rev. Thomas T. Van Zandt was a Democrat in his views, a member of the Masonic fraternity, and was a man whom all respected and esteemed. He met a violent death during the turbulent times of the Civil War, being killed by Jayhawkers, in 1863. His wife died in Missouri, in 1858. The paternal grandfather, Elijah Van Zandt, was born in North Carolina, and was a participant in the War of 1812. Dr. J. M. Van Zandt received his early education in the common schools of Missouri, and after reaching a proper age, began studying medicine, at McDowell’s College, in St. Louis, Mo., and in 1861 began his first practice. He did not continue long, however, but the same year enlisted as third sergeant in the Missouri Cavalry State Troops, and was a participant in the fights at Oak Hill, Lexington, Pea Ridge, Prairie Grove, Hartsville, Cape Girardeau, Helena, Jenkins’ Ferry and others. After the death of his father he left this command, and took charge of a company, and joined Price on his raid through Missouri, his last fight being at Newtonia, that State. He practiced his profession in Dallas County, Mo., in 1865, and the following year went to Texas, and settled in Somerville County. Not liking this location, he came to Arkansas, and after a residence in Arkansas County until 1884, he settled in Barrittsville, Prairie County, where he has since made his home. In connection with his practice he is engaged in merchandising, having commenced this enterprise in October, 1889, and is doing a prosperous business. While in Texas he was married, in 1877, to Miss Ida E. Yager, a daughter of R. L. and Elizabeth (Sanders) Yager, the former an Alabamian. Dr. and Mrs. Van Zandt are members of the Christian Church, and are the parents of two children: Nannie M. and Helen E. The Doctor has been an extensive traveler, but is thoroughly satisfied with his present location. He is a Mason, and has a demit from Little River City Lodge No. 402, Bell County, Texas.

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This family biography is one of 94 biographies included in Biographical and Historical Memoirs of Prairie County, Arkansas published in 1890.  For the complete description, click here: Prairie County, Arkansas History, Genealogy, and Maps

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