James I. Van Alen

James Isaac Van Alen (December 31, 1772 – May 18, 1822) was a United States Representative from New York and a half brother of U.S. President Martin Van Buren.

Early life

James I. Van Alen was born in Kinderhook, New York on December 31, 1772, the son of Johannes Van Alen and Marytje Goes (or Hoes) Van Alen. 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 (1768-1829) and John I. Van Alen (1770–1805).

After the death of his father, his mother married Abraham Van Buren (1737–1817) in 1776. His mother then had five more children, including Dirckie "Derike" Van Buren (1777–1865), Jannetje (Called "Hannah" or "Jane") Van Buren (1780–1838), Martin Van Buren (1782–1862), Lawrence Van Buren (1786–1868), Abraham Van Buren (1788–1836).

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

Career

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.

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.

Congress

Van Alen was elected as a Democratic-Republican to the Tenth Congress, holding office from March 4, 1807 to March 3, 1809. He was an unsuccessful candidate for reelection in 1808.

Later career

He later returned to the surrogate judge's position, serving from 1815 until his death. (He was succeeded by Abraham A. Van Buren (1788-1836), brother of Martin Van Buren and Van Alen's half-brother.)

Personal life

He died in Kinderhook on May 18, 1822, and was buried at Kinderhook Cemetery. He was not married and had no children.