Bio of Van Vleit, Major L. D. (b.1830) Wabasha Co., MN
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Made available to The USGenWeb Archives by: Barbara Timm and Carol Judge
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This bio comes from "HISTORY OF WABASHA COUNTY" 1884.
Check out Barbara's site for more great information on this book:
http://www.rootsweb.com/~mnwabbio/wab1.htm
There are also some pictures and information from descendents for some 
of the bios on her pages.

Van Vleit, Major L. D.: The Van Vliets in America are all descendants of
four brothers Van Vliet, who came from Holland about two hundred and fifty
years since, and settled in New York and New England. Major Van Vliet is a
scion of the New England branch, and was born in Chittenden county,
Vermont, May 26, 1830. When he was nine years of age the family removed to
Racine county, Wisconsin, which was thenceforth his home until he removed
to this city, in 1867. Young Van Vliet's education was received in the
schools of his native and adopted states, principally in Vermont, to which
he returned for that purpose, taking an academic course. He was engaged in
farming and stock raising until the second year of the war, when he was
commissioned captain U. S. Vols., by President Lincoln, and assigned to
duty with the army of the Tennessee as adjutant quartermaster, in which
capacity he rendered efficient service to the department, and received
promotion as well as honorable mention in the dispatches and reports. He
was in charge of Gen. Grant's ammunition train, when the unsuccessful
movement around the rear of Vicksburg was made, and was at Holly Springs,
then occupied by about sixteen hundred Union soldiers, when raided by Van
Dorn. Here he succeeded in eluding the vigilance of the rebel general, and
also in saving the funds of the department, then in his hands. Of the
sixteen hundred troops all were captured save Maj. Van Vliet and two other
officers. His principal service, however, was as adjutant quartermaster,
at Memphis, Tennessee, in charge of river transportation, which
responsible, onerous post he held for three years, furnishing
transportation to Gen. Grant's army in its successful movement down the
river against Vicksburg, and actively engaged in the important movements
along the Mississippi. His efficient services were recognized at
Washington, and he was four times honorably mentioned in the
quartermaster's reports to the secretary of war. Declining the
recommendations proffered him for appointment to the regular army, Maj.
Van Vliet remained at Memphis until the summer of 1866, when he was
mustered out of the United States service, and returned to Wisconsin. The
following year (1867) he removed with his family to this city, and three
years later (1870) organized the First National Bank, became its cashier,
and so continues. His financial standing and ability are fully recognized,
and his influence in local affairs if evidenced in the history of county
and city events. September 23, 1856, L. S. Van Vliet was married, at
Racine, Wisconsin, to Miss M. L. Russell, also a native of Vermont, born
May 2, 1834. Their children are: Mattie S., wife of E. A. Patton, M.D. of
Minneapolis; Jennie A. and Jessie S. attending Lake City High School, the
former a a member of the present senior class. The major has never lost
his taste for fine stock. He is still an enthusiastic horseman, and owns
some of the best bred trotting stock in the Northwest.
War of 1812