San Francisco
County
Biographies
THOMAS
C. VAN NESS
Thomas C. Van Ness.—The
name Van Ness is one that figures prominently in the annals of San
Francisco. Hon. James Van Ness, father
of the above named gentleman, came to this coast in 1850 from New Orleans via
Vera Cruz and Mazatlan. He was a born
leader of men and took an active part in public affairs here; was the father
and promoter of the Van Ness ordinance and Van Ness avenue,
the boundary line in one direction of the new addition – called for him; was
Mayor of the city during the years 1855 and 1856.
The founders of the Van Ness family in America were
among the early Dutch settlers who came to this country and called their
section New Amsterdam. Many generations
of the family were born in New York.
Mayor Van Ness, however, was a native of Vermont, his father occupying
distinguished positions in that State—District Attorney for the district of
Vermont, afterward Governor and still later Chief Justice. He was at one time United States Minister to
Spain. Other members of the family were
likewise prominent.
Mr. Van Ness moved from his native State, Vermont,
to Georgia and afterwards to New Orleans, where his son, Thomas C., was
born. He came to California in 1850, as
already stated, and in 1854 sent for his family, who arrived the following
year. At that time the subject of our
sketch was only a child. Of the boys he
was the only one to reach manhood, for the others died young. The mother of Mr. Van Ness was a Georgia lady
of the Leslie family. He was educated at
Santa Clara College, Father Villerga being president
of the college at that time. Leaving
Santa Clara in 1864, Mr. Van Ness came to this city. His preparation for the bar was made
privately at home, under the instruction of Judge Heydenfeldt.
In the years between his leaving college and his
admission to the bar Mr. Van Ness was engaged in business. For some time he was connected with Wells,
Fargo & Company and afterward with the Central Pacific Company. Following the latter he was in business here
on his account. July, 1879, he was
admitted to the practice of his profession by the Supreme Court, and since that
time has been continuously engaged.
Mr. Van Ness with some justice may be ranked among
the native sons, for he was reared in this State, educated here, and his aims
and ambitions are naturally centered in California. While his practice has been a general one,
including both civil and criminal law, he takes prominent place as an insurance
lawyer, and may with truth be said to lead others in this. He represents many insurance companies here
and has had charge of almost all their cases.
Mr. Van Ness is married and the father of four children, two sons and
two daughters. He is President of the
Pacific Union Club. He is also a member
of the Bohemian and Olympic Clubs, and naturally of the Bar Association.
Transcribed by
Donna L. Becker
Source:
"The Bay of San Francisco," Vol. 1, pages 585-586, Lewis Publishing
Co, 1892.
©
2004 Donna L. Becker.