Thomas J. Van Alstyne

Thomas J. Van Alstyne

Thomas Jefferson Van Alstyne (July 25, 1827 – October 26, 1903) was a U.S. Representative from New York.

Born in Richmondville, New York, Van Alstyne attended the common schools, Moravia (New York) Academy, and Hartwick (New York) Seminary. In 1848 he graduated from Hamilton College in Clinton, New York. In 1851 he received his master of arts degree from Hamilton.

He studied law in Albany, New York, was admitted to the bar in 1849 and practiced in Albany.

He served as a Union Army judge advocate with the rank of major during the Civil War. He served as judge of Albany County from 1871 to 1882.

Van Alstyne was elected as a Democrat to the Forty-eighth Congress and served one term, March 4, 1883 to March 3, 1885. He was an unsuccessful candidate for reelection in 1884 to the Forty-ninth Congress and returned to the practice of law.

He served as mayor of Albany from 1898 to 1900.

He died in Albany on October 26, 1903. He was interred at Albany Rural Cemetery.

Val Alstyne was married three times. His first wife was Sarah Clapp, with whom he had a son, Thomas B. Van Alstyne. His second wife was H. Louise Peck. His third wife was Laura Louisa Wurdemann. With his third wife Van Alstyne was the father of another son, William Thomas Van Alstyne.

External links

• United States Congress. "Thomas J. Van Alstyne (id: V000013)". Biographical Directory of the United States Congress.
• Thomas J. Van Alstyne at Find a Grave
• "Snap Shots at Bench and Bar: Albany County; Thomas J. Van Alstyne". Albany Law Journal. LVI. Albany, NY: Albany Law Journal Company: 458. December 18, 1897.

 This article incorporates public domain material from the Biographical Directory of the United States Congress