Jozef Cornelis Van Put (Hoboken, June 15, 1811 – Antwerp, July 2, 1877) was a Belgian grain merchant and mayor of Antwerp representing the Meetingpartij party.
Biography
Jozef Cornelis Van Put was the son of a farmer from Wilrijk who settled in Hoboken as a brewer. He attended College De Nef in Turnhout and later became a teacher there.
He married the daughter of a merchant and then became a clerk in a trading company in Antwerp. There he managed the grain trading company J.C. Van Put & Compagnie. For three years he was a member of the Chamber of Commerce and for fifteen years he was president of the commercial court.
In 1854, Van Put was elected as a liberal councilor for the city of Antwerp. In 1860, he left the liberal association and supported the Meeting Party. From 1863 to 1872, he was mayor of the city. During his term of office, Leien, the city park, and De Keyserlei were created.
He was the father of Jean Van Put, who succeeded him as head of the grain trade and was a senator. His daughter Julia Van Put (1847-1876) married Prime Minister Jules de Burlet. He was the grandfather of Pierre de Burlet, mayor of Nijvel and representative of the people.
source: wikipedia.org
The token indicates that he was appointed mayor by a higher power (by the grace of God) and not by the King. B.D.G.G stands for mayor of Gratie Gods (by the grace of God).
Z.E before his name means His Eminence or His Excellency (Zijn Eminentie or Excellentie).
Gemeene beest van Antwerpen means evil beast of Antwerp or something similar.
