James I. Van Alen

A Democratic-Republican, he served as a United States representative, a member of the New York State Assembly, and Surrogate Judge of Columbia County, New York. Van Alen was the elder half brother and law partner of U.S. President Martin Van Buren.

 

Van Alen was born in Kinderhook, New York on December 31, 1772, the son of Johannes Van Alen (1744–1773) and Marytje Goes (or Hoes) Van Alen (1748–1817). On January 1, 1773, he was christened Jacobus Van Alen at Kinderhook's Dutch Reformed Church. He had two siblings, Marytje (or Maria) Van Alen and John Isaac Van Alen. After the death of his father, his mother married Abraham Van Buren in 1776. His mother had five more children with Van Buren including Dirckie "Derike" Van Buren, Jannetje (called "Hannah" or "Jane") Van Buren, future U.S. President Martin Van Buren, Lawrence Van Buren, and Abraham Van Buren Jr.

Van Alen attended the common schools, studied law, and was admitted to the bar in 1794.

After being admitted to the bar in New York, he practiced in Kinderhook, later practicing in partnership with Martin Van Buren. From 1797 to 1801 he was Kinderhook's Town Clerk. Van Alen was also involved in various businesses, including serving as secretary of the board of directors for the Chatham Turnpike Corporation.

 

He was a member of the State constitutional convention of 1801, and was a justice of the peace from 1801 to 1804. He was a member of the New York State Assembly in 1804. Van Alen was surrogate judge of Columbia County from 1804 to 1808.

U.S. Congress

Van Alen was elected to the 10th Congress as a Democratic-Republican, succeeding Henry W. Livingston and holding office from March 4, 1807, to March 3, 1809. He was an unsuccessful candidate for reelection in 1808 and John Thompson replaced him in the House.

Later career

 

He later returned to the surrogate judge's position, serving from 1815 until his death. He was succeeded by his half-brother, Abraham A. Van Buren.

Van Alen never married or had children. He died in Kinderhook on May 18, 1822, and was buried at Kinderhook Cemetery.