Khleber Miller Van Zandt (November 7, 1836 â March 19, 1930) was an American politician, lawyer, merchant, and banker who served as the ninth commander-in-chief of the United Confederate Veterans from 1919 to 1921.
Van Zandt was born on November 7, 1836. His father was Isaac Van Zandt. His mother was Frances Lipscomb. Van Zandt was educated at Franklin College in Tennessee.
Van Zandt served as an officer in the 7th Texas Infantry during the American Civil War. Captured following the Battle of Fort Donelson, he was detained as a prisoner of war (POW). His slave, Jack, served him throughout the war, even while imprisoned.
Van Zandt settled in Fort Worth in 1865, and operated a dry-goods business and later became president of both a construction company and a bank, the Fort Worth National Bank. He was a Democrat, serving as a member of the Texas House of Representatives from 1873 to 1874. He was the prime mover of the founding of the Confederate Reunion Grounds in Lakeside, Texas, later called Confederate Park.
The 1860 census shows that Van Zandt enslaved nine individuals. After the American Civil War he joined the in the United Confederate Veterans (U.C.V.), serving as the commander of the First Brigade, Texas Division and the Commander of the Army of Trans-Mississippi. In 1919, he was elected the ninth Commander-In-Chief of the U.C.V.. Van Zandt died on March 19, 1930, in Fort Worth, Texas.