William L. Van Horn, M.D. Ph.M., of Columbia, Caldwell Parish, La., was the eldest of ten children of T.D. and Margaretta (Law) Van Horn, and was born in the city of New Orleans, La., October 28, 1857. Dr. William L. Van Horn began life for himself at the age of sixteen as an apprentice of the drug trade in New Orleans, and at the same time began the study of medicine. He became a student of medicine and pharmacy at the Tulane university, of Louisiana, in 1876, and graduated there from in both branches in 1879, and during that year began practicing his profession in New Orleans, La. A year later he removed to Columbia, La., where he built up a lucrative practice, in connection with a profitable pharmacy business. He was married in 1880 to Mary Francis, daughter of Judge R. D. Bridger, of Columbia, La., who bore him one son and one daughter, both the son and daughter died young. Mrs. Mary Frances Van Horn died at Pineville, La, in 1883, the family had moved there. She is buried in Columbia with her son. After her death the Doctor returned to Columbia, La., and in January, 1886, married Miss Mattie P. Mallory, of Panola County, Texas. By this marriage he had five children: William Law, Mattie Rosebud, Oliver Herbert, Marguerite Lillian, and Vannah Elliot.

The Doctor had acquired considerable property in Caldwell Parish, and owned an elegant residence and a large store and business house in Columbia, and 160 acres of good land situated in a suburb of that town. He was a member of the Masonic fraternity, of the Knights of Pythias and of the Independent Order of Odd Fellows. His professional standing was first class, and his skill as a physician and surgeon was recognized throughout north Louisiana. He was the leading practitioner of Columbia and the parish of Caldwell. His skill and integrity was recognized by the parish and town by his election twice to the office of coroner of the parish and councilman of the town of Columbia, also by the various insurance companies. He was elected by the New York Life Insurance company, the Mutual Life of New York, the Pennsylvania Mutual of Philadelphia, the Equitable Life of Massachusetts and the Endowment Rank, Knights of Pythias, as their medical examiner in Caldwell parish. He and Mattie were members of the Methodist Episcopal church south.

Dr. Van Horn died in 1897 in Hot Springs, Arkansas. He was there seeking therapy for the chronic kidney trouble that took his life. The family brought his body home where his was buried in Columbia, Caldwell Parish until 1899. In that year Mattie and the family moved his body for reburial in Lafayette No. 1.