Mynderse Van Cleef was born in Seneca Falls, NY on August 29, 1853. His parents were Alexander and Jane E. Van Cleef. Mynderse's great-grandfather was Lawrence Van Cleef, who was the first white child born in Seneca Falls. Mynderse Van Cleef studied at the Ithaca Academy, in Ithaca, NY and was a proud 1874, graduate of Cornell University. From 1875-1876 he studied law at Columbia University and was admitted to the Bar in 1876. On Dec. 21, 1882 he married Elizabeth Lovejoy Treman. Arthur B. Treman, Charles E. Treman, Robert E. Treman and Allan H. Treman were Elizabeth s nephews. Elizabeth and Mynderse had two daughteres Jeannette Van Cleef Booth who married Arthur W. Booth and Eugenia Van Cleef. Both daughters graduated from Ithaca High School. Eugenia went on to attend Vassar College after her graduation in 1904. For many years M. Van Cleef and his family lived on University Avenue, in Ithaca, NY. As a prominent lawyer, Mr. Van Cleef served as commissioner of the U.S. Circuit Court, 1880-1900. In 1881 Mynderse was named a Cornell Alumni Trustee. Among his other achievements he was president of the Ithaca Trust Company as well as chairman of the board. He was director of Tompkins County National Bank and Trustee of the Ithaca Savings Bank. For many years he was the Cornell University attorney. He was also president of the Corporate Association of Kappa Alpha fraternity.
Mynderse Van Cleef was an active community member. He was a member of the Ithaca Fire Department as well as an officer of the Lyceum Theatre Company that was erected in 1893, in Ithaca, N.Y. He and his family were members of the First Presbyterian Church.
From the description of Van Cleef family papers, 1841-1935. (Cornell University Library). WorldCat record id: 64074932
