BYRON R. VAN DYKE
Byron
R. Van Dyke, a representative of a well known pioneer family
of Iowa, is still living in Chariton after forty-four years of
close connection with its business interests, twenty-six of
which he spent as proprietor and manager of the Bates House. He was born in West
Virginia, March 2, 1848, and is a son of William M. and Nancy
(Hull) Van Dyke, the former born in Pennsylvania, May 28,
1825, and the latter in Knox county, that state, July 18,
1821. They were
among the pioneers in Iowa, coming to this state for the first
time in 1855 and settling first near Centerville, when they
removed north to Burlington.
Upon the outbreak of the Civil war they returned to
West Virginia and there remained until the close of the
rebellion. In
1868, after the death of the father, two of the children went
to Russell in order to take care of their mother and look
after her property. She
passed away in Chariton, February 7, 1893. She and her husband
became the parents of the following children: Byron, of this
review; Mrs. Dora Sayles, of San Diego, California; John D.,
deceased; William, who resides in Kansas City; Charles M., who
has also passed away; Mrs. Ellen Davis, of Kansas City; and
George A., of Minneapolis.
Byron
R. Van Dyke came west for the first time with his parents in
1855 and he returned with them to West Virginia at the
outbreak of the Civil war.
After the death of his father he settled in Russell and
he has since remained a resident of Iowa. In 1869 he came to
Chariton and for three years was employed as a clerk for Mr.
L. F. Maple, after which time he became a partner, but later
he went into the bank of Manning and Penick. He remained there
for about three years and then formed a partnership with Mr.
Maple in the book and stationery business, which connection he
maintained until 1881. At
that time he became bookkeeper for Eikenberry & Company
and remained with them until 1887. In that year he and his wife purchased
the Bates House and they conducted this for twenty-six years
thereafter, keeping it always modern and up-to-date in every
particular and securing a large and representative patronage. In 1912, feeling
that he had earned a period of leisure, Mr. Van Dyke purchased
a modern home in Chariton and now lives there. He is in all
essential respects a self-made man, for from his early
childhood he has been dependent upon his own resources,
earning his first money, sixty cents, by picking up chips for
a contractor on the Chicago, Burlington & Quincy Railroad. This was when the
road was built west from Burlington.
At Chariton, June 15, 1880, Mr. Van Dyke married Miss Ella Gardner, who was born at Mount Vernon, Ohio, November 10, 1851, a daughter of Nelson B. and Eliza (Murphy) Gardner, pioneers in Iowa. The father was born at Mount Vernon, Ohio, March 19, 1827, and the mother in the same city in April, 1830. Their marriage occurred in December, 1850, and they afterward came to Chariton, settling in this city in very early times. Their first home was located where the Lucas County National Bank building now stands and was one of the first residences in the city. Nelson B. Gardner was a veteran of the Civil war, having served through that conflict as captain of Company E, Thirty-fourth Iowa Volunteer Infantry. He took part in various important engagements and was at Vicksburg when the city fell. After the close of hostilities he returned to Lucas county, where he secured a position as clerk of the courts, an office in which he did a great deal of farsighted and capable work for fourteen years thereafter. During that time he studied law and after being admitted to the bar practiced successfully, becoming one of the leading members of the legal profession in this part of Iowa. He died at Chariton, June 27, 1909, having survived his wife since October 1, 1890. In their family were the following children: Mrs. Van Dyke, wife of the subject of this review; Frank, who was born December 29, 1854, and who died May 4, 1905; Anna B., who was born September 23, 1857, and who died July 17, 1871; Mrs. Minnie B. Wiltsey, born July 21, 1865, residing in Hemingford, Nebraska; Mary Eva, whose birth occurred February 16, 1868, and who died August 4, 1869; Dell S., who was born January 19, 1872, and who is now a resident of Chicago; and Fred G., who was born October 9, 1874, and who also lives in Chicago. The two oldest children were born in Mount Vernon, Ohio, and the others in Chariton. All were reared in Lucas county, where they attended the public schools.
Mr.
and Mrs. Van Dyke have become the parents of two children. Byron Ralph, Jr.,
was born September 9, 1887, and acquired an education in the
public schools of Chariton, graduating from the high school in
June, 1905. Immediately
afterward he became interested in the Lucas County National
Bank, of which he is now assistant cashier. On the 4th
of October, 1911, he married Miss Marie Bown, who was born in
Chariton and who grew to womanhood in this city. They are the
parents of a daughter, Ruth, who was born July 2, 1912. Mr. and Mrs. Van
Dyke’s other son, William Carl, was born August 9, 1889, and
died April 2, 1905.
Mr. Van Dyke is connected fraternally with Chariton Lodge, No. 64, A. F. & A. M., and was eminent commander of the local commandery for a number of years. He belongs also to the Independent Order of Odd Fellows. He gives his political allegiance to the republican party and has served for years as a member of the city council. His wife is a member of the Methodist Episcopal church. They occupy an attractive modern home in Chariton and own in addition the old Gardner residence. Mr. Van Dyke is one of the best known and most highly respected men of Chariton, where he has made his home for the past forty-four years and where his sterling character and personal and business integrity are recognized and respected.