JAMES B. VAN DYKE. The Van Dyke family are of Holland origin, their name signifying "beyond the dyke." Many years ago three brothers of the family, John, James, and William, sailed from Holland to America, first locating in New Jersey, where John was married to a native of that State, his brothers having previously settled in Philadelphia county, Penn. In 1800 John Van Dyke moved with his family to an unimproved farm near Lindley's Mills, Morris township, Washington Co, Penn., remaining there but one year. He then returned to New Jersey, where he died, having left his family on the pioneer farm in Pennsylvania. He was twice married, and to the first union were born two children, John and Hannah. The children of his second marriage were Wright, Catherine, Nancy and Rena. The father was a Whig in political opinion, in religion a member of the Presbyterian Church. Wright Van Dyke was born December 15, 1799, on the home farm in New Jersey, and was reared and educated in the subscription schools of Washington county, Penn. In early manhood he married Rebecca, daughter of James Bane, a native of Amwell township, this county, and she bore him three children, viz.: Sarah, wife of Nathan Veatch; Elizabeth, deceased, and James B. Mr. and Mrs. Van Dyke passed their wedded life in Amwell township, where he died in 1847, followed by his wife in 1856. They were members of the Baptist Church, and in politics he affiliated with the Whig party. James B. Van Dyke was born January 20, 1834, on the home place in Amwell township, Washington Co., Penn. On September 18, 1855, he was married to Mary J., daughter of Rev. John Thomas, of Morris township. In 1862 he enlisted in Company D, One Hundred and Fortieth Regiment P.V.I., serving until 1864. At the battle of Chancellorsville he was shot under the right arm (the ball lodging back of his left lung, where it still remains), and being paralyzed, was reported dead. He was taken from the field to the general hospital, then sent to Washington, returning home as soon as he was able. Before his furlough had expired he returned to follow the fortunes of his regiment, with which he remained until his health failed; in 1863 he was commissioned first lieutenant of his company. After returning from the war Lieut. Van Dyke followed carpentering and building about three years, then opened a grain and feed store at Washington. He afterward conducted a grocery at Brownsville, Fayette county, and in 1875 came to California, to fill the position of steward of the Southwestern State Normal School. In 1880 he opened a general store, which was supplanted in 1882 by the dry-goods establishment he is now conducting. In political opinion Mr. Van Dyke was originally a Know-Nothing, but has been a Republican since the organization of that party. He is president of the California Glass Company, also deals in real estate. He and his wife are members of the Baptist Church, of which he is a deacon. They are the parents of four children, viz.: John W., George M., William S., and Mary Catherine (deceased). The three sons are all graduates of the State Normal College. George M. Is also a graduate of Jefferson Medical College, Philadelphia, and is now practicin g his profession at West Newton, Penn.; William S. Is cashier of M.M. Dick's bank, West Newton, Penn., burgess of the town, also one of the principal stockholders and treasurer of the West Newton Wall Paper Company; John W. remains at home with his parents, and assists his father in the management of his business; William S. married Miss Carrie Taylor, of West Newton, who has borne him one child, Mildred.

Text taken from page 932 of: Beers, J. H. and Co., Commemorative Biographical Record of Washington County, Pennsylvania (Chicago: J. H. Beers & Co., 1893). Transcribed January 1997 by Julie Jolly of Knob Noster, MO as part of the Beers Project. Published January 1997 on the Washington County, PA USGenWeb pages at http://www.chartiers.com/.

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