Van Dyke Geneology

Van Dyke Family Tree

John Van Dyke's Family of Holland and New Jersey, Lancaster and Ruth C. Cook of Chillicothe, Ohio, both resided in Kosciusko Co, Indiana (Buried Cook's Chapel Cemetery, Kosciusko Co).

John Van Dyke's son John W. enlisted in the Indiana Vols during the Civil War for three months and served the full time in Indianapolis.

1 John Van Dyke & Ruth (Cook) Kosciusko Co, Indiana

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2 Sarah F. Van Dyke

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3 Josephine Van Dyke

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4 Thomas L. Van Dyke & Henrietta (Bender) Van Dyke of Kosciusko Co, Indiana (Buried Mt Pleasant Cemetery, Claypool, Indiana)

1 Ernest

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2 Daisy (Van Dyke) Callison

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3 Clemans (Clem) Merrick Van Dyke &1 Cora (Pratt) Van Dyke, &2 Edith Van Dyke of Kosciusko, Indiana

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1 Thomas Lewis Van Dyke, Sr. & Esther Mae (Roys) Van Dyke of South Bend, Indiana

1 Thomas (Tommy) Lewis Van Dyke, Jr. &1 Lauren (Laurie) Joyce (Rosen) Van Dyke, &2 Dawn E (Spakowski)

1 Jill Lauren Van Dyke

2 Jeffrey (Jeff) Thomas Van Dyke

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2 Clemans Junior Van Dyke &1 Lois, &2 Beverly of Warsaw, Indiana

1 Rita Jo (Van Dyke)

2 Roberta (Van Dyke)

3 Shirley Louise (Van Dyke) (Grubbs) Howard

4 Jeffrey ( ) Van Dyke

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3 Marilyn (Van Dyke) Green & Robert (Bob) Green of Rochester, Indiana

1 Robert (Bobby) Green &1

1

2

2 Ronald (Ronny) Green &

1

2

3 Randall (Randy Green &

4 Richard (Ricky) Green &

1

2

5 Renda (Green) &1

1 Tyrus

2 Tyra Mae

6 Roger &1

1

2

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4 Harold Van Dyke &1 Olive & June of Kosciusko, Indiana

1 David Van Dyke &1

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5 Avery Lee Van Dyke of Mishawaka, Indiana

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6 Beverly Mae (Infant Daughter)

7 Mary Louise (Infant Daughter)

Some Legacies:

John's Family came from Holland and the name there is spelled Van Dijk, mean "from the dyke" an obvious reference to the earthen dikes that hold back the Zuider Zee. His ancestors were the ones who lived by the dike on that side of the country as opposed to the Jon who lived by the stream or the one who was a smith, etc. It was around the time of Napoleon when all in the region were required to be counted by not only a Christian name, but a surname as well. Locals adapted whatever surname that was common or obvious. Some took on comical names as well. At Ellis Island, the immigrants were asked their names and whatever it sounded like in English is what was copied down. Van Dijk became Van Dyke. Sometimes, the e is left off the Dyke and now the Van is often run together as Vandyke.

John Van Dyke, born in New Jersey, married Ruth C. Cook and purchased up to 280 acres from the Northwest Territory sale of land in the 1840's and cut and sold the timber to make his living. His two sons, John W. and Thomas C. took possession of their halves of the property and farmed them. Both built two landmark Victorian homes there. There was a story that a log cabin that John originally built is still there, although transformed into a remodeled modern residence. The old original barn still stood in 1995, though beyond repair. It was once said John was lured by the Gold Rush and took a trip to the San Francisco area by stage coach. There, John tried his luck in an attempt to strike it rich. Having failed, he returned by steamer, but was richer all the more with two Indian friends, whom he had befriended. They may have lived on his property are thought by his Grandson, Clemans to have been buried there.

Clemans, the son of Thomas C., married and inherited his wife, Henrietta's Father's farm. He registered for the Draft in World War I, but listed a disability. Like many, it was over before he could embark on a ship. After the Second World War, he gave up farming and it was eventually bought by the Ring Brothers, who have a folded into their mega farm there now. He found work as a janitor for the several years thereafter and finally settled in Wabash. He was a member of the Fraternal Order of the Eagles.

During World War II, his son, Thomas L. enlisted in the US Navy and received a medical discharge before serving. He attended the South Bend College of Commerce where he did some studies and retired from a lifetime of work in quality control for Bendix Corp (Now Honeywell) in South Bend. He was a Union Shop Steward for many years and checkers champion at the plant.

Clemans son, Junior served with the Military Police during WWII and when he fell behind enemy lines while in Holland, was housed and protected by a Dutch Resistance family for a time. He suffered from what was called shell shock after the War. He retired from the foundry in Warsaw.

Thomas and Harold both tried their hand at taking over the 115 acre Family Farm. Neither could make a go at it and it was finally sold. Harold has worked for various companies afterwards and is presently working for the Kosciusko Co. Creighton Bros. plant in poultry industry as a janitor.

The youngest, Avery, became a United States Marine during the Vietnam Era. He retired from NIPSCO Gas Company and is enjoying his well earned life of ease there in Mishawaka.