US Congressman. The older half-brother of President Martin Van Buren, James Van Alen was educated in the local schools, and then studied law. He attained admission to the bar, practiced in Kinderhook, and worked in partnership with Van Buren after Van Buren's admission to the bar. Van Alen served as Kinderhook's Town Clerk from 1797 to 1801, and was a delegate to the 1801 New York Constitutional Convention. He was a Justice of the Peace from 1801 to 1804, and member of the New York State Assembly in 1804. He was Columbia County's Surrogate Judge from 1804 to 1808, when he was succeeded by Van Buren. In 1806 Van Alen was a successful Democratic-Republican candidate for the US House of Representatives, and he served one term, 1807 to 1809. He later returned to the Surrogate's position, serving from 1815 until his death. Van Alen never married and had no children.
US Congressman. The older half-brother of President Martin Van Buren, James Van Alen was educated in the local schools, and then studied law. He attained admission to the bar, practiced in Kinderhook, and worked in partnership with Van Buren after Van Buren's admission to the bar. Van Alen served as Kinderhook's Town Clerk from 1797 to 1801, and was a delegate to the 1801 New York Constitutional Convention. He was a Justice of the Peace from 1801 to 1804, and member of the New York State Assembly in 1804. He was Columbia County's Surrogate Judge from 1804 to 1808, when he was succeeded by Van Buren. In 1806 Van Alen was a successful Democratic-Republican candidate for the US House of Representatives, and he served one term, 1807 to 1809. He later returned to the Surrogate's position, serving from 1815 until his death. Van Alen never married and had no children.
Bio by: Bill McKern
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