John VAN DYKE, Congress, NJ (1807-1878)

VAN DYKE, John, a Representative from New Jersey; born in Lamington, Somerset County, N.J., April 3, 1807; completed preparatory studies; studied law; was admitted to the bar in 1836 and commenced practice in New Brunswick, N.J.; prosecuting attorney of Middlesex County in 1841; mayor of New Brunswick in 1846 and 1847; president of the Bank of New Jersey at New Brunswick; elected as a Whig to the Thirtieth and Thirty-first Congresses (March 4, 1847-March 3, 1851); declined to be a candidate for renomination in 1850; resumed the practice of law; delegate to the Republican National Convention in 1856; judge of the New Jersey Supreme Court 1859-1866; moved to Minnesota in 1868 and settled in Wabasha, Wabasha County; member of the State senate in 1872 and 1873; judge of the third judicial district of Minnesota 1873-1878; died in Wabasha, Minn., December 24, 1878; interment in Riverview Cemetery.

Source: Biographical Directory of the United States Congress, 1771-Present