"History of Bergen County, New Jersey"
J. M. Van Valen
1900


JAMES LYDECKER

Another branch of the family descends from James, son of Captain Garret, whose
son Garret J., was born in i797, died in 188O. He was a man who occupied a
prominent position in the locality then known as the English Neighborhood,
having large farming interests, and being one whose advice was sought in
all leading questions of the day. His wife was Sarah Ryer, who died in
1862. Their children were James. John R., Cornelius, and Maria. John R.,
was born in i824. He was a merchant for a number of years. Afterwards he
entered political life and served as deputy collector for the port of New
York for twenty-five years. He was a personal friend of President Arthur for
many other years and other well known men. He married Elizabeth Ward. They
had four children. Garrett J., Lieutenant Colonel in the regular army,
J. Ward, Robert and Ida. He died in 1896.

James was born January i5, i822. When twenty-one years of age he went to
New York and became station agent for the Harlem Railroad and in one way
and another he had been connected with the railroad interests until his
retirement to private life. In 1862 he went to Alexandria, Va., where
he served the interests of railroad officials as conductor in and about
Washington for awhile, but in 1864, and for a few years subsequently, he
conducted a train for the Erie Railroad, from Port Jervis up through the
Catskills in New York. In 1868 he returned to Englewood and subcontracted
for the building of the Northern Railroad of New Jersey and afterwards was
conductor for a train on this road. In 1842 he was married to Miss Ellen
Lake with whom he lived fifty years. Four children were born of this union.