James Van Dyk was born on February 29th, 1824 in Brooklyn, New York. He left New York in April 1849 for California and arrived in San Francisco on July 12th, 1849 after a journey through Panama. Upon arrival in California Mr. Van Dyk set to placer mining on the Tuolumne River. In 1850 he worked two ferries, one on the Joaquin River and one on the Tuolumne. In 1851 he engaged in the cattle business and in 1852 moved to Stockton and became engaged in the livery and stage business. James Van Dyk was a member of the New York State Society of the Cincinnati, an institution formed by officers of the American Army of the Revolution.
From the description of Autobiography and Reminiscence of Van Dyk, James, San Francisco, 1901. (The Society of California Pioneers). WorldCat record id: 55979350
