Biographical Sketches of Monroe County Residents

V

Alexander VAN NORMAN

pages 853-854

Such were the strongly marked and salient characteristics of Alexander VAN NORMAN that his death was the occasion of most deep and wide spread regret in Fairport and wherever he was known. In his home his memory was held as a sacred treasure and in the community his influence is yet felt in the lives of those with whom he came in contact. Born in Onondaga county, New York; on the 15th of August, 1831, he was a son of Joseph and Nancy (WILLIAMS) VAN NORMAN. His father, Joseph VAN NORMAN, was a prominent farmer of Onondaga county, while the grandfather, who also bore the name of Joseph VANNORMAN, was a veteran of the war of 1812 and was a slaveholder in an early day. He lived in Albany, New York, but in later years the family was established in Onondaga county, while subsequently a settlement was made in Syracuse.

Alexander VAN NORMAN spent his early years upon his father's farm and acquired his preliminary education in the public schools, while later he was a student in Syracuse Academy. He lost his father when but twelve years of age and the family, numbering nine children, afterward took up their abode in Syracuse, where the subject of this review continued his studies until he started out in business life on his own account. He was a young man of twenty-three years, when, in 1854, he removed to Fairport, Monroe county, New York, where he engaged in the produce business. In 1865 he purchased a tract of land and removed to his farm situated near Pittsford but he was never a strong man physically and he found that agricultural pursuits were too arduous for him, so that after three years he returned to Fairport, where he established a lumber, coal and produce business. Later he withdrew from the produce and lumber trades and gave his energies to the development of his business along other lines, becoming an extensive dealer in coal, lime, cement and tiling. As the years passed his trade grew in volume and importance and he was recognized for a long period as one of Fairport's leading business men. He conformed his business activities to a high standard of commercial ethics, was never known to take advantage of the necessities of a fellowman in any business transaction and was strictly fair, just and reliable in all his dealings.

On the 4th of July, 1859, Mr. VAN NORMAN was married to Miss Mary Louise WARRING, a daughter of John and Charlotte (PHILLIPS) WARRING, of Harpersfield, Ashtabula county, Ohio. Her parents removed to the Buckeye state from Great Barrington, Berkshire county, Massachusetts, in an early day, making the journey by wagon. The ancestors of Mrs. VAN NORMAN in the paternal line came to America at an early period in the development of this country, the first representative of the name being Shubel, the great-grandfather of Mrs. VAN NORMAN. On crossing the Atlantic he located in Berkshire county, Massachusetts, where the family was. represented for many years. His son and namesake, Shubel WARRING, JR., was a soldier of the Revolutionary war, valiantly aiding in the cause of liberty. His son, John WARRING, was thirty-five years of age on the removal of the family to Ohio, the journey being made across the country with three teams and wagons. He devoted his life to farm work and became an active factor in the agricultural development of Ashtabula county. He married a Miss PHILLIPS, who was a cousin of Wendell PHILLIPS and a daughter of Henry PHILLIPS, who married a member of the ST. JOHN family. Mrs. VAN NORMAN, a daughter of Mr. and Mrs. John WARRING, was educated in the Grand River Institute at Ashtabula and is a lady of superior culture, refinement and mental discipline. She is a broad reader, conversant with all the better literature of the past and present ages. For some eight years she has been a cripple, confined to an invalid's chair, but she bears this affliction with the most beautiful Christian resignation and has a nature which sheds around her much of the sunshine of life. Her husband was most devoted to her, being companion, associate and nurse, his loving care and attention being a most beautiful thing to witness and making her life a most happy one. He did everything in his power to promote her comfort and welfare and theirs was largely an ideal married relation.

Mr. VAN NORMAN, while not a member of any church, was a regular attendant at the services of the Congregational church and gave most liberally in support of church work in Fairport. His integrity stood as an unquestioned fact in his business and private life and his word was regarded as good as his bond by every one who knew him. Few men have borne such an unassailable reputation for probity, and the confidence which was reposed in him because of this was never betrayed in the slightest degree. In politics he was a democrat and for many years was one of the trustees of the village. He was frequently solicited to become a candidate for other offices but because of his business interests and the condition of his health he always declined, yet he never failed to support any measure or movement which he deemed would prove of public benefit. His nature was kindly, his disposition genial, his impulses were generous and his actions were governed by the highest, manly principles. To know Alexander VAN NORMAN was to esteem and respect him and those who came within the closer circle of his acquaintance loved him. Thus it was that when death claimed him on the 9th of July, 1904, the news of his demise brought a sense of personal bereavement to the great majority of Fairport's citizens. In his home his place can never be filled but the memory which he left behind is a most beautiful one, greatly enriching the life of her who was left alone. Mrs. VAN NORMAN still resides in Fairport and it is no exaggeration to say that the circle of her friends is co-extensive with the circle of her acquaintances.

William VAN ZANDT

page 1094

William VAN ZANDT, formerly the secretary of the Payne drug company, of Rochester, was born in 1862 and was a son of John J. and Mary (HARRIS) VAN ZANDT. The father was of Holland Dutch descent, representatives of the family first coming to this country in 1543 and settling in Albany. He was an old hotel man who came to Rochester from Albany in 1845 and established a coffee and spice business, which he conducted until early in the '60s and then sold out to his brother. His wife was a daughter of Captain Richard HARRIS, who was an English army officer. In their family were three sons and one daughter.

William VAN ZANDT acquired his early education in the public schools, but like many boys became so eager to enter the business world that he left school before his graduation and came to Rochester, where he entered the employ of C. F. PAYNE & COMPANY. Here he did everything from errand boy up, and so faithfully did he serve his employers that he finally became secretary of the firm. A business career of this nature should always be of interest to the young men starting out for themselves. Too often their ambitions begin at the top, and having laid no foundation for the position find themselves unable to cope with its problems.

Mr. VAN ZANDT married Ella C. RUSSELL and to their union was born one daughter and one son. He and his wife were members of the church of Christ, while his political convictions were those of the republican party. He was a member of the Modern Woodmen and much interested in its growth in Rochester. His life was well spent and it can truthfully be said that what he did he did well and that his life was a success. He started out in the business world as poor as the poorest of boys and his success was due solely to ability, steadfastness of purpose and indefatigable industry. He died in the early part of 1907.