John Van Schaick
John Van Schaick (July 28, 1840 – June 9, 1923) was an American lawyer and politician from Schoharie County, New York. Early life. Van Schaick was born on July 28, 1840 in Sharon in Schoharie County, New York. He was a son of Joseph Wilson Van Schaick (1804–1880) and Elizabeth (née Slingerland) Van Schaick (1808–1890). His siblings included Koert VanSchaick, Elizabeth (née Van Schaick) Hutton, Mary Van Schaick, Catherine Van Schaick, Slingerland Van Schaick, Sarah Van Schaick and Emily Van Schaick. He attended Charlotteville Seminary (in his native Schoharie County) and Williston Seminary in Massachusetts before attending Williams  College which he left to attend Albany Law School where he graduated in 1864. Career. Van Schaick worked as a teacher, a School Commissioner, and had a law office in Cobleskill where he was known as the "Nestor of the Schoharie County Bar". In 1883, he was elected to the New York State Senate and began serving on January 1, 1884 in the 107th New York State Legislature replacing fellow Democrat Addison P. Jones. He served through the 108th Legislature until December 31, 1885 when he was replaced by Henry C. Connelly. He also served as secretary of the Schoharie  County Anti-Horse Thief Society, president of the Cobleskill Agricultural Society, member of Holland Society, first Sachem of the Improved Order of Red Men in Cobleskill and Mason. Personal life. On May 25, 1871, Van Shaick was married to Frances Elizabeth Shaver (1851–1923), who was born at Hyndsville and was the daughter of Charles H. Shaver and Salina (née Hynds) Shaver, a descendant of the prominent Schuyler family of Albany. Together, they were the parents of: Van Shaick died on June 9, 1923 in Cobleskill, also in Schoharie County, New York. His widow died a few months later in August  1923.