OBITUARY:

Avon,N.Y.,Avon News,Wednesday,January 25,1911

WM. VAN ZANDT

One of the Oldest and Most
Highly Respected Citizens
of This Village Died
Suddenly on Thursday Evening

A PHILANTHROPIST

Whose Death will be Widely and
Sincerely Mourned by a Large
Circle of Relatives, Friends and
Acquaintances in This Vicinity

On Thursday evening last, January 19th, occurred the death of one of the oldest and most prominent citizens of Avon, William VanZandt. Mr. VanZandt had been ill but a few days. At 7:00 o'clock the evening of his death, he read the evening paper, later his physician, called and left some medicine for the attendant to give him at 9:00 o'clock. Shortly before nine he retired. About five minutes before nine the attendant was in his room and thought he was all right, but a few seconds later heard him gasp, returning to the room she found him sinking and by nine o'clock he breathed his last.
He was in his eighty-third year, having been born in Avon on the 26th day of May, 1828. His parents were Jesse and Rachel Baker VanZandt, who were among the pioneer settlers of this town.
After completing his education in the Avon schools, he learned the tailor's trade which he followed for several years.
Mr. Van Zantdt later became the proprietor of the old United States Hotel, which was famous throughout the country in Avon Springs days.
In the sixties he assumed the duties of Superintendent of Rochester City Hospital, and during his regime there made many warm friends. He afterward became associated with one of the mast popular and fashionable Brooklyn clubs, acting as steward. He continued in this capacity until 1892, when he concluded to retire from an active business life, which had been a most successful one.
He returned to Avon and took up his home at the homestead in East Main street. He now devoted his time to travel and philanthropic work, and he was especially delighted to have his friends, the old, the young, the rich and the poor, visit him. He was of a cheerful disposition and was ever ready to spend a social hour or to lend a helping hand in case of need. The good deeds, performed by him,(few of which ever became known to the general public) would fill a volume and make interesting reading. He took a great interest in all village improvements and was eager and ready to assist in bringing them about.
Deceased was a Mason, a member of the Livingston County Historical Society, an honorary member of the William VanZandt Hose Company of the Avon fire department, which was named for him, and a liberal supporter and contributor to Zion Episcopal church.
Beside a host of friends, Mr. VanZandt is survived by two sisters, Miss Helen, with whom he lived, and Mrs. Orange Sackett of Rimersburg, Pa.; three nephews, William V. Sackett and John S. Sackett, both of Avon, and Edward L. VanZandt of Rochester.
The funeral was held from his late home at 3:30 o'clock Sunday afternoon. It was one of the largest funerals ever held in Avon. A number of Rochester friends were in attendance and the VanZandt Hose attended in a body and acted as a guard of honor, six of the members acting as bearers. Rev. Samuel Wilson Steele, of Central Presbyterian Church read the Episcopal service. The remains were interred in Avon cemetery.