My Genealogy Hound

VAN SANDT, N. L., M. D., P. O. Clarinda; born in Brown county, Ohio, on the 7th of May, 1825. The summers of Dr. Van Sandt’s early life were passed in manual labor on his father’s farm, thus precluding him from those opportunities of study granted to other lads. His winters were, for the greater part, passed in the district school, until he was eighteen years of age. He then attended an academy, about ten miles away. From the academy he went to Woodward college, Cincinnati, again returning after a while to College Hill, where he had previously been. He finally finished his education at the hands of a private tutor. At this time he began to read medicine with a Dr. Avery, of Reading, Ohio. He then entered upon a course of lectures at the Eclectic medical institute, Cincinnati, graduating in 1850. In the year of his graduation he married Miss Eliza Heald, of Miami county, Ohio, locating in Troy, Ohio, and enjoying a successful practice of eight years. From Troy he came to Iowa, and to Clarinda, where he has since continuously resided. Dr. Van Sandt has been actively engaged in politics ever since he came to Iowa, and was enthusiastic in his support of Lincoln’s administration. In 1863 he was elected a member of the tenth assembly, and was again elected to fill the unexpired term of Hon. Charles Linderman. Nor has he been less energetic in matters pertaining strictly to his profession, being a most successful practitioner in his school of medicine. His enterprise was not satisfied with his medical attainments and successes, but has proven itself of no ordinary character in the purchase and management of a model farm. On this the Doctor has succeeded in attaining the most flattering results in the growing of small fruits, and was the first man to demonstrate to the farmers of Page that fall wheat could be successfully grown in the county. He is now engaged in fish culture, having an excellent pond of fresh water, supplied by perennial springs. He is awaiting the arrival of carp from Europe with which to stock the pond. Dr. Van Sandt is now United States pension agent, a position he has held since 1863 to the present time, with the exception of two years. In religious views he is a Presbyterian. A man marked by force of will and character, of an integrity worthy of all imitation.