Résumé

During his career, Wiliam Doty Van Siclen worked primarily alone, although he did form a few short-lived partnerships. He was an active investor, and developed a reputation as a versatile architect who could design substantial office buildings, apartment houses and large residences.

Principal, William D. Van Siclen, Architect, San Jose, CA, 1892-1894. He leased Room #25 of the Porter Building in San Jose in 1892. (See San Jose, California, City Directory, 1892, p. 473.) In 1893, Van Siclen maintained an office in Room #42 of the Porter Building in San Jose. (See San Jose, California, City Directory, 1893, p. 453.) During the Depression of 1893, he moved his practice to 153 East San Fernando Road in 1894. (See San Jose, California, City Directory, 1894, p. 419.)

Partner, Van Siclen and Haynes, Architects, San Jose, CA, c. 1894. According architectural historians John Chase and Daniel Gregory, Van Siclen worked with Frank Lyman Haynes on the A.L. McCandless House in Salinas, CA, in 1894. (They referred to Haynes as "Frank Layman Haynes." See John Chase and Daniel Gregory, The Sidewalk Companion to Santa Cruz Architecture, [Santa Cruz: The Museum of Art and History, 2007], p. 310.)

Principal, William D. Van Siclen, Architect, San Jose, CA, c. 1895-1900. In 1896, Van Siclen had an office in the Porter Building in San Jose. (See Polk's San Jose and Santa Clara County, California, City Directory, 1896, p. 467.) As noted by Larry Johnson in his Van Siclen biography for the State of Washington, Department of Archaeology and Historic Preservation: "Van Siclen was a contributor, in 1893 and 1895, of architectural drawings and designs to California Architect and Building News. His published designs show an early use of Spanish and Italian motifs and revival forms, and he probably was instrumental in the introduction of these styles to the Northwest." (See Larry Johnson, Washington, Department of Archaeology and Historic Preservation.gov, "William D. Van Siclen," accessed 07/13/2023.) It might be an exaggeration to say that Van Siclen was "instrumental" in bringing Mission Revival motifs to WA State, as there was ample illustration of the style in architectural periodicals of the 1890s and early 1900s.

Orchardist, San Jose, CA, 1899. (See Polk's San Jose and Santa Clara County, California, City Directory, 1899, p. 406.) Although Van Siclen was, according to the 1900 US Census in Sunrise, AK, by 08/1898, his name appeared in the San Jose city directory as a farmer tending fruit trees. (See Ancestry.com, Source Citation Year: 1900; Census Place: Sunrise, Southern Supervisors District, Alaska; Roll: 1831; Page: 6; Enumeration District: 0015, accessed 07/13/2023.

Gold prospector, Sunrise Mining Camp, AK, 08/1898-1900. Unlike most minors, who left their wives and children behind, Van Siclen brought them with him to the Alaskan mining camps during the Klondike Gold Rush. (See Ancestry.com, Source Citation Year: 1900; Census Place: Sunrise, Southern Supervisors District, Alaska; Roll: 1831; Page: 6; Enumeration District: 0015, accessed 07/13/2023.)

Designer, James Stephen, Architect, Seattle, WA, 1901. James Stephen worked as the Architect for Seattle Public School District #1 at this time, and likely Van Siclen worked on the designs of these schools.

Draftsman / Designer, Saunders and Lawton, Architects, Seattle, WA, 1901-1902. (See Polk's Seattle Directory Company's Seattle City Directory, 1901, p. 1177).

In 04-05/1903, William Van Siclen and James H. Schack collaborated on a competition entry for the Seattle Public Library's Main Library #1.

Principal, William D. Van Siclen, Architect, Seattle, WA, 1902-1911. Van Siclen leased Room #726 in the New York Building in 1903, changing to Room #724 the following year. (See Polk's Seattle Directory Company's Seattle, Washington, City Directory, 1903, p. 1158 and Polk's Seattle Directory Company's Seattle, Washington, City Directory, 1904,p. 1052.) Between 1906 and 1908, Van Siclen leased Room #756 of the New York Building in Seattle. (See Polk's Seattle Directory Company's Seattle, Washington, City Directory, 1906, p. 1158 and R.L. Polk and Company's Seattle, Washington, City Directory, 1908, p. 1639.) He had space in Rooms #51 and 52 of the Downs Block in Seattle in 1910. (See R.L. Polk's Seattle, Washington, City Directory, 1910, p 1588.) While he worked in Seattle, Van Siclen attained a significant degree of impact in local architectural circles. The State of Washington Department of Archaeology and Historic Preservation website noted of Van Siclen in 1909: "The AIA Washington State Chapter’s Exhibition of Architecture and the Allied Arts at the Alaska-Yukon Pacific Exposition featured six designs by Van Siclen." (See Larry Johnson and Michael Houser, State of Washington Department of Archaeology and Historic Preservation.gov, "William Doty Van Siclen 1865-1951" accessed 08/01/2023.)

Partner, Van Siclen and [William K.] Macomber, Architects, Vancouver, BC, 1911-1912. TheBiographical Dictionary of Architects in Canada, 1800-1950.org website stated: "He was active in Seattle until 1910 then moved to Vancouver, B.C. where he formed a partnership with William K. Macomber in 1911 and with him designed several works in Canada including large commercial blocks in Vancouver, B.C. and in Edmonton, Alta. This included an elaborate Chateau style hotel in Edmonton (1912-13), and a restrained Edwardian design for the Kelly Exchange, also located in Edmonton." (See the Biographical Dictionary of Architects in Canada, 1800-1950.org, "Van Siclen, William Doty," accessed 07/27/2023.) Van Siclen's name could not be located in Henderson's Greater Vancouver Directory Part 2 for 1911 or 1912. This might have meant that he lived outside of Vancouver or that Macomber handled work in Vancouver, while Van Siclen operated elsewhere.

An article appeared in the Pacific Builder and Engineer in 05/1912: "W.D. Van Siclen, of Van Siclen & Macomber, architects, Vancouver, B.C., and Wm. Macomber, with offices in the Northern Bank building, Seattle, have gone to Edmonton, Alberta, and will probably open an office there for the summer. They have the contract to draw plans for a hotel building in that city to be 200 by 200 feet in dimensions and several stories high." (See Trade Notes, Personal Factors," Pacific Builder and Engineer, 05/18/1912, p. 421.)

Principal, William D. Van Siclen, Architect, Edmonton, AB, 1912-1916.

Partner, Van Siclen and Collignon, Architects, Tulsa, OK, c. 04/1917. An article in the Tulsa World of 04/15/1917 stated: "The architectural firm of Van Siclen & Collignon with the present quarters in the Iowa building will move into their own building at Fourth and Detroit some time during the week. The firm has been crowded for space and not able to get other office space [sic] they built a frame office of their own.” (See "With the Architects," Tulsa World, 04/15/1917, p. 12.)

Principal, William D. Van Siclen, Architect, Tulsa, OK, 1918-1924. In 1918, Van Siclen lived and worked at 319 South Detroit Avenue in Tulsa. (See Tulsa, Oklahoma, City Directory, 1918, p. 641 and R.L. Polk and Company's Tulsa, Oklahoma, City Directory, 1924, p. 719.)

Principal, William D. Van Siclen, Architect, Brownsville, TX, 1925- .

Architect, Public Works Administration (PWA), Brownsville, TX, 1940. Van Siclen was still working as an architect at age 74. (See Ancestry.com, Source Citation Year: 1940; Census Place: Brownsville, Cameron, Texas; Roll: m-t0627-03998; Page: 6A; Enumeration District: 31-10, accessed 07/13/2023.)

Professional Activities

Member, American Institute of Architects (AIA), Washington State Chapter, 1902-1911.

2nd Vice-President, AIA, Washington State Chapter, 1905-1906. (See "Washington State Chapter," American Institute of Architects Quarterly Bulletin, vol. VI, no. 4, 01/1906, p. 243 and "Washington State Chapter A.I.A.," American Architect and Building News, 01/06/1906, p. vii.)

Member, AIA, Washington Chapter, Committee on Public and Civic Improvements, 1906-1907. He served on this committee with Chair Charles W. Saunders (1857-1935) and Norris Best Allan (1867-1932). (See "Washington State Chapter A.I.A.," American Architect and Building News, 01/06/1906, p. vii.)

Patron, Seattle Architectural Club, Seattle, WA, 1910.

College

The 1940 US Census indicated that Van Siclen reported have completed five years of college. (See Ancestry.com, Source Citation Year: 1940; Census Place: Brownsville, Cameron, Texas; Roll: m-t0627-03998; Page: 6A; Enumeration District: 31-10, accessed 07/13/2023.)

Relocation

William Doty Van Siclen lived in a variety of places during his life, a transitory pattern that suggested some professional dissatisfaction and instability. Frequently, this frequent relocation causes great strains on family relationships, but in Van Siclen's case, his marriage remained intact. In the various places that Van Siclen settled, he designed and built apartment buildings as an investment, some of which were completed, and some remained unbuilt. He also was a member of a number of investment groups in various businesses during his adult life.

Most biographies of Van Siclen indicated that he was born in Clearwater, MI, Kalkaska County, in northern Lower MI, but this does not seem to have been the case.

William Doty Van Siclen was born in Coldwater, MI, on 04/29/1865, to William B. Van Siclen and Amarilla Doty, both of whom were born in NY. Since at least 1850, William and Amarilla Van Siclen had farmed in Coldwater, a small town located about 123 miles southwest of Detroit, MI, in the southern part of the Lower Peninsula. It was the county seat of Branch County by 1842.

In 1860, the Van Siclens lived on a farm near Coldwater, MI. William and Amarilla owned about $1500 worth of land and had other assets of about $500, as per the US Census. (See Ancestry.com, Source Citation The National Archives in Washington D.C.; Record Group: Records of the Bureau of the Census; Record Group Number: 29; Series Number: M653; Residence Date: 1860; Home in 1860: Coldwater, Branch, Michigan; Roll: M653_538; Page: 958; Family History Library Film: 803538, accessed 07/11/2023.)

It appears that the marriage between William B. Van Siclen and Amarilla Doty broke up during the 1860s, when William was very young. The US Census of 1870 listed William B. Van Siclen as living on a farm near Odessa, MI, in Ionia County, about 77 miles northwest of Coldwater. This land was worth about $1,800 and he had assets of about $650. His wife was "Elizabeth Van Siclen" and she was listed as being about 30 years of age, born in NY. It appears that William remarried a woman named either Elizabeth Keaty or Elizabeth Doty (born 02/26/1840 in NY-d. 09/24/1921 in Lake Odessa, MI) during the earlly 1860s. At the time, William Doty Van Siclen's siblings George and Mary lived in the Odessa household, while William Doty Van Siclen and his sister Elizabeth were not listed. Other children in the Odessa household were Harriet "Hattie" Van Siclen (born c. 1862 in MI), Myrtle Van Siclen (born c. 1867 in MI) and Murton J. Van Siclen (born c. 1869 in MI). It is possible that Hattie was William Doty Van Siclen's full sister, but it is likely that Myrtle and Murton were half-siblings.

If her correct surname was "Doty," Elizabeth may have been a younger cousin of Amarilla Doty. Elizabeth Doty's parents William B, Doty and Rachel Mathews, both born in NY, farmed in Odessa, MI, by 1860, and Elizabeth was the eldest of five siblings residing at home according to the US Census. (See Ancestry.com, Source Citation The National Archives in Washington D.C.; Record Group: Records of the Bureau of the Census; Record Group Number: 29; Series Number: M653; Residence Date: 1860; Home in 1860: Odessa, Ionia, Michigan; Roll: M653_546; Page: 478; Family History Library Film: 803546, accessed 07/11/2023.)

Amarilla remarried David Gochnaur, a farmer in Butte, CA, on 05/31/1874. (See Ancestry.com, Source Information Ancestry.com. Web: Western States Marriage Index, 1809-2016 [database on-line]. Lehi, UT, USA: Ancestry.com Operations, Inc., 2011, accessed 07/11/2023.) WIlliam Doty Van Siclen likely moved with her to CA at the time of her marriage, if not before.

In 1880, William Van Siclen lived in the residence of his step-father David Gochnaur (born 12/10/1814 in PA-d. 09/26/1890 in San Jose, CA) in Butte, CA. Gochnaur was a farmer, about 15 years older than Amarilla. Both William and his sister Elizabeth lived on the Gochnaur farm.(See Ancestry.com, Source Citation Year: 1880; Census Place: Butte, Sutter, California; Roll: 84; Page: 380C; Enumeration District: 134, accessed 07/11/2023.)

As a single man aged 21, William lived in Meridian, Sutter County, CA, when he registered to vote on 10/02/1886. This voter roll did not specify what his occupation was at the time, but he was known to have designed a high school in Sutter County, CA. (See John Chase and Daniel Gregory, The Sidewalk Companion to Santa Cruz Architecture, [Santa Cruz: Museum of Art and History, 2007], p. 310.)

The architect opened a practice in San Jose, CA, where his parents retired by the later 1880s or 1890s. His name did not appear in the 1891 San Jose city directory. It appears that William Doty Van Siclen's career as an architect began in earnest in 1892.

Voter rolls for San Jose, CA, in 1892, indicated that W.D. Van Siclen registered on 02/23/1892 and lived in the "Hester" voting precinct of the city. Rolls also indicated that another person named "Van Siclen," also born in MI, lived in Santa Clara County at the time, a Byron Van Siclen, a farmer, who resided in Saratoga. (See Ancestry.com, Source Citation California State Library; Sacramento, California; Great Registers, 1866-1898; Collection Number: 4-2A; CSL Roll Number: 125; FHL Roll Number: 977289, accessed 07/26/2023.) In 1892 and 1893, he resided on the south side of Phelan Avenue, near The Alameda. He lived at 43 Phelan Avenue in San Jose, in what was considered the "University" voting precinct of the city. (See Polk's San Jose and Santa Clara County, California, City Directory, 1896, p. 467, See San Jose, California, City Directory, 1892, p.473 and San Jose, California, City Directory, 1893, p. 453.) He registered to vote in San Jose again on 08/25/1896. (See Ancestry.com, Source Citation California State Library; Sacramento, California; Great Registers, 1896; Collection Number: 4-2A; CSL Roll Number: 126; FHL Roll Number: 977290, accessed 07/26/2023.)

Van Siclen was not listed in the 1898 San Jose directory but was listed as an "orchardist" in 1899, raising fruit trees at 120 South 2nd Street. (See Polk's San Jose and Santa Clara County, California, City Directory, 1898-1899, p. 406.) During the severe economic slowdown of the mid-1890s, earning a living as an architect may have been difficult for Van Siclen, thus he fell back to farming and other pursuits.

During at least part of the period between 08/1898 and 1900, Van Siclen took his family north to Alaska, where he attempted mining for gold at the Sunrise Mining Camp on the Kenai Peninsula. It was relatively unusual for a miner seeking his fortune in AK or the Yukon to bring his family to the AK gold camps, but Van Siclen did, for at least part of his time there. (See Ancestry.com, Source Citation Year: 1900; Census Place: Sunrise, Southern Supervisors District, Alaska; Roll: 1831; Page: 6; Enumeration District: 0015, accessed 07/13/2023.

Van Siclen and his family lasted only a year or two in the frozen North, before he made his way back down to Seattle, WA. His name first appeared in the Polk Seattle Directory Company's Seattle City Directory, 1901,(p. 1177). He dwelled at 714 Seneca Street in Downtown Seattle at that time. The Van Siclens made their home at 915 East Spruce Street in Seattle between 1903 and 1905, in the neighborhood that came to be known as "Yesler Terrace." (See Polk's Seattle Directory Company's Seattle, Washington, City Directory, 1903, p. 1158 and Polk's Seattle Directory Company's Seattle, Washington, City Directory, 1905,p. 1216.)

He relocated to a dwelling on the east end of Jackson Street by 1906 in the Leschi neighborhood and remained here in 1907. This residence was likely on or near Lake Washington. (See Polk's Seattle Directory Company's Seattle, Washington, City Directory, 1906, p. 1158 and R.L. Polk and Company's Seattle, Washington, City Directory, 1907, p. 1160.)

Van Siclen, his wife and daughter resided at Clyde's Landing in Bellevue, WA, on Lake Washington in 1910. (See R.L. Polk's Seattle, Washington, City Directory, 1910, p 1588.) The 1910 US Census also found them living in Bellevue. (See Ancestry.com, Source Citation Year: 1910; Census Place: Bellevue, King, Washington; Roll: T624_1657; Page: 6a; Enumeration District: 0014; FHL microfilm: 1375670, accessed 07/13/2023.)

While in Seattle, Van Siclen designed and managed the Van Siclen Apartments at 1214 8th Avenue. He and his family moved here from Bellevue when they were completed in 1911. (See R.L. Polk's Seattle, Washington, City Directory, 1911, p 1382.)

He left Seattle by 1912 and relocated to Canada. The website Biographical Dictionary of Architects in Canada 1800-1950 indicated that he moved to Canada by 1911, although he probably left Seattle in 1912. He worked as an architect in Edmonton until at least 1916, when the Canadian Census recorded his presence. This census form recorded that he arrived in Canada in 1912 and that he was an unnaturalized alien at that time. (See Ancestry.com, Source Citation Year: 1916; Census Place: Alberta, Edmonton West, 02C; Roll: T-21950; Page: 23; Family No: 282, accessed 07/13/2023.) He relocated from frigid Edmonton to the booming oil town of Tulsa, OK, by later in 1917.

Tulsa's Glenn Family struck oil on its farm south of the city in 1905, yielding a huge reservoir of oil and natural gas during the 20th century. By one account, 325.5 million barrels of oil had been pumped from the Glenn Pool by 1986, triggering a long period of prosperity in Tulsa, that made it, by the 1910s the "Oil Capital of the World." This prosperity is likely what drew William D. Van Siclen here by late 1917.

The architect and his family resided in Tulsa, OK, between either late 1916 or early 1917 and 1924. (See Tulsa, Oklahoma, City Directory, 1918, p. 641, Polk-Hoffhine Directory Company's Tulsa City Directory, 1922, p. 604, and Ancestry.com, Source Citation Year: 1920; Census Place: Tulsa, Tulsa, Oklahoma; Roll: T625_1486; Page: 1B; Enumeration District: 210, accessed 07/13/2023, R.L. Polk and Company's Tulsa, Oklahoma, City Directory, 1923, p. 626 and R.L. Polk and Company's Tulsa, Oklahoma, City Directory, 1924, p. 719.) Initially, he worked in partnership with George W. Collignon during 1917, but the two men's names were not listed in the Polk-Hoffhine Directory Company Tulsa, Oklahoma, City Directory, 1917. The two were in town by 03/27/1917, when a newspaper article in the Tulsa World indicated that Van Siclen and Collignon had planned an 8-story office building for Frank A. Baker on the southeast corner of 3rd and Detroit Street in Tulsa. (See "Baker to Erect 8-story Building," Tulsa World, vol. XII, no. 187, 03/27/1917, p. 1.)

Collignon and Van Siclen each worked on his own by 1918. (See Polk-Hoffhine Tulsa City Directory, 1918, p. 868.) Van Siclen lived and worked from a dwelling at 319 South Detroit Avenue (at East 4th Street) in Tulsa's Blue Dome neighborhood. For his enitre time in Tulsa, Van Siclen lived and worked at home, suggesting perhaps that he may not have been able to afford the expense of a leased office. It is clear that from his earliest days in Tulsa, Van Siclen was buying and selling property there, and so some of his money may have been tied up in these investments. (See, for example, "Warranty Deeds," Tulsa Daily Legal News, 06/18/1917, p. 2; "Warranty Deeds," Tulsa Daily Legal News, 08/20/1917, p. 2; "Warranty Deeds," Tulsa Daily Legal News, 01/07/1918, p. 2.)Van Siclen also was part of an investor group in the International Asphalt, Paint, Varnish and Artificial Rubber Manufacturing Company, capitalized at $100,000 and chartered on 10/10/1919 in Tulsa. (See "New Charlers, Tulsa Daily Legal News, 10/10/1919, p. 1.)

An article appeared in the Pawhuska Capital on 01/30/1919, indicating that Van Siclen was contemplating moving to Pawhuska, OK. It read: “W.D. Van Siclen, architect lately of Tulsa was in the city this week and has decided to locate here. Mr. Van Siclen has a splendid record as an architect and his services are required in this city.” (See untitled news brief, Pawhuska Capital, 01/30/ 1919, p. 4.)

Van Siclen and his family lived in Tulsa at the time of the infamous 1921 Tulsa Massacre of African-Americans.

Van Siclen relocated further south to Brownsville, TX, by about 1925. The architect lived with his wife Ida at 537 West 18th Street in Brownsville, TX, as per the 1930 US Census. The Van Siclen real estate had a value of $6,000 at the time, which was about average for the neighborhood. (See Ancestry.com, Source Citation Year: 1930; Census Place: Brownsville, Cameron, Texas; Page: 20B; Enumeration District: 0004; FHL microfilm: 2342039, accessed 07/13/2023.) Van Siclen's Brownsville house was a small, one-story Spanish Colonial Revival structure with a white stucco exterior and red-tile roof. Its front facade was bilaterally symmetrical with three bays. Two end bays flanked a central, projecting, screened-in front porch larger than the two surrounding it. A rounded gable projected above the middle porch bay. As he had in Seattle in 1911, Van Siclen erected an investment apartment house on the same triangular piece of property, likely after 1926. This linear, two-story apartment house stood to the northwest of his residence, crowded on the three-sided site.

He and Ida continued to live on this 537 West 18th Street, according to the 1940 US Census. This document recorded that the house had an approximate value of $3,500. (See Ancestry.com, Source Citation Year: 1940; Census Place: Brownsville, Cameron, Texas; Roll: m-t0627-03998; Page: 6A; Enumeration District: 31-10, accessed 07/13/2023.)

Van Siclen was retired by 1948, and lived at 537 West 18th Street in Brownsville. (See Brownsville, Texas, City Directory, 1948, p. 319.) He died at his home at 537 West 18th Street in Brownsville, TX., on 07/14/1951 from arteriosclerotic heart disease, according to his death certificate. (See Ancestry.com, Source Citation Texas Department of State Health Services; Austin Texas, USA; Texas Death Certificates, 1903–1982, accessed 07/11/2023.)

Parents

His father William B. Van Siclen (born c. 1820 in NY-d. 08/15/1879 in Ionia County, MI), farmed in Lower MI for most of his adult life, dying at about age 59.

Amarilla Doty (born 01/19/1831 in Hector, NY-d. 04/26/1908 in San Jose, CA) wed William B. Van Siclen in 1848. Amarilla's parents were Esther Barlow and Richard Huff Doty. In 1900, Amarilla lived on Washington Avenue near Pine Avenue in San Jose, CA, with her grand-daughter Jennie Van Siclen (born 07/1887 in SD). As noted in the 1900 US Census, she had had six children, of whom five were alive at that time. (See Ancestry.com, Source Citation Year: 1900; Census Place: San Jose, Santa Clara, California; Roll: 110; Page: 1; Enumeration District: 0061, accessed 07/11/2023 and San Jose, California, City Directory, 1902, p. 202.)

William Doty Van Siclen had the following siblings: Emma C. Van Siclen Annable (born c. 1849 in MI), George A. Van Siclen (born 1854 in MI), Mary Ann Van Siclen Ritter (born 03/26/1856-d. 05/24/1888 in Groton, SD), Elizabeth Van Siclen (born c. 1858 in MI) and possibly Harriet Caroline "Hattie" Van Siclen Price Taft (born 12/15/1861 in Coldwater, MI-d. 01/28/1943 in Ionia, MI). He may have had half-siblings Myrtle Van Siclen, Murton Van Siclen and Mina Coral Van Siclen Russell (born 02/06/1871 in Lake Odessa, MI-d. 10/09/1954 in Lake Odessa, MI)

Elizabeth's Doty's parents were William M. Doty (born c. 1810 in NY-d. 04/16/1889 in Lake Odessa, MI) and Rachel Mathews.(born c. 1811 in NY-d. 06/14/1877 in Lake Odessa, MI) (See Ancestry.com, Source Citation Michigan Department of Community Health, Division for Vital Records and Health Statistics; Lansing, Michigan; Death Records, accessed 07/11/2023.) When Rachel Mathews Doty died in 1877, William M. Doty married Rebecca Barrell Mathews (born c. 1812 in NY-d. 12/29/1889 in Lake Odessa, MI), possibly a sister or cousin perhaps, on 04/09/1879 in Odessa, MI. (See Ancestry.com, Source Citation Michigan Department of Community Health, Division of Vital Records and Health Statistics; Lansing, MI, USA; Michigan, Marriage Records, 1867-1952; Film: 17; Film Description: 1878 Washtenaw-1879 Lake, accessed 07/11/2023.)

Spouse

He married Ida Catherine Peach (born 02/08/1868 in Sacramento, CA-d. 02/08/1953 in Brownsville, TX) on 12/17/1888 in Santa Clara County, (likely San Jose) CA. (See Ancestry.com, Source Citation California Department of Public Health, courtesy of www.vitalsearch-worldwide.com. Digital Images, accessed 07/13/2023.) Ida lived on the family farm in Santiam (now possibly Santiam Junction), Linn County, OR in 1880. Her father was Charles Peach (born c. 1835 in PA) and her mother Virginia L. Runyon (born c. 1830 in either IL or IN-d. 08/02/1895 in Visalia, CA). They wed in Sacramento County, CA, in 1867. (See Ancestry.com, Source Citation California Department of Public Health, courtesy of www.vitalsearch-worldwide.com. Digital Images, accessed 07/13/2023.) This may have been Virginia's second marriage.

Ida had a younger sister, Alice Virginia Peach Merchant (born c. 1872 in CA). (See Ancestry.com, Source Citation Year: 1880; Census Place: Santiam, Linn, Oregon; Roll: 1082; Page: 384C; Enumeration District: 073, accessed 07/13/2023.)

The 1940 US Census noted that Ida had completed high school. (See Ancestry.com, Source Citation Year: 1940; Census Place: Brownsville, Cameron, Texas; Roll: m-t0627-03998; Page: 6A; Enumeration District: 31-10, accessed 07/13/2023.)

Children

Ida and William had two children, only one of whom survived: Lesley Raymond Van Siclen (10/22/1889 in Santa Clara County, CA-d. 12/01/1891 in Santa Clara County, CA) and Rena Alba Van Siclen McCain(born 03/21/1892 in San Jose, CA-d. 09/10/1958 in Brownsville, TX).

Biographical Notes

In 1915, a "W.D. Van Siclen Sheep Company" operated in Canada, during the time the architect lived in Edmonton. It is possible that this was another investment idea tried by the architect. (See Canadian National Live Stock Records, Canadian National Records for Sheep - Volume 4, 1915, p. 578.)

Before he left Tulsa, OK, Van Siclen bought an oil and gas lease in the area near Wagoner, OK. (See [Wagoner] Record-Democrat, 05/08/1924, p. 6.)

SSN: 456143938.

• Coldwater, MI (Architect's Birth)
  Coldwater, MI

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• Brownsville, TX (Architect's Death)
  Brownsville, TX

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