My Genealogy Hound

Clarence P. Van Zandt, a prominent and representative farmer of Oakland County, owning a valuable farm of 160 acres in section 9, Waterford township, comes from an old Holland family, which was founded in New Jersey by his grandfather. He is a son of Beekman and Frances S. (Van Buren) Van Zandt.

Beekman Van Zandt was one of three sons born to his parents, the others bearing the names of Isaac and Henry. Beekman Van Zandt was born in Essex County, New Jersey, and for some years prior to 1835, when he came to Michigan, was engaged in farming and dairying. When he came to Michigan, this whole country was but little settled and Indians and wild animals still roamed the forests. With pluck and perseverance he cleared off the land he had secured from the government, and lived contentedly in a primitive log house until prepared to build a better one. He reared a most creditable family and at the time of his death owned a valuable property and was one of the representative men of the township. He was married to Frances S. Van Buren, cousin of President Martin Van Buren, and a daughter of Egbert and Susan ( Formerdyn) Van Buren, the former a native of New York and the latter of Maryland. Mr. Van Zandt made a trip to California in 1851 and, although he was shipwrecked on the way, reached the Golden State and remained two years, prospecting and lumbering. He was an active member of the Methodist Church, serving as a steward. His death took place at the present home of our subject November 15, 1881, at the age of 73 years.

Clarence P. Van Zandt is one of a family of five children, viz: Mrs. Frances F. Church, of Geneva, New York; Elizabeth S., of Chicago; Eugene, deceased; Mrs. Louisa Beardslee, deceased; and Clarence P. Mr. Van Zandt has always lived on his present farm, where he was born November 10, 1846. His life has been devoted to the agricultural pursuits of farming and stock raising, being an extensive breeder of Durham cattle. His farming has included the raising of grain, hay and potatoes, some tobacco, and cucumbers on a large scale for pickling purposes. For the past three years he has done a large business in baling and shipping hay.

Mr. Van Zandt is well prepared for his extensive operations, having erected large and substantial buildings of all kinds, which are the equal of any in the township. By years of orderly and constant industry, he has acquired wealth, while an exemplary life has given him the confidence of his fellow men and made him their choice for public office. For nine years he has served as a member of the School Board of Waterford township and has been township treasurer for the past two years.

Mr. Van Zandt was married to Lucy Capron, who was born in Connecticut, and is a daughter of William Capron, and three children have been born to this union, namely: William B., Nellie C. and Mary M., all at home. In politics Mr. Van Zandt, like his father, is a Democrat.