James John Van Alen was a sportsman and politician. He was appointed Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary to Italy on October 20, 1893, but declined the appointment.

Biography

He married Emily Astor, the daughter of Caroline Webster Schermerhorn Astor

Caroline Webster Schermerhorn Astor

Caroline Webster Schermerhorn Astor was a prominent American socialite of the last quarter of the 19th century. Famous for being referred to later in life as "the Mrs. Astor" or simply "Mrs. Astor", she was the wife of real estate heir William Backhouse Astor Jr...

 and William Backhouse Astor, Jr.

William Backhouse Astor, Jr.

William Backhouse Astor, Jr. was a businessman and a member of the prominent Astor family.He was the ancestor of the U.S. branch of the Astor family, which came to an end in the male line at the end of the 20th century....

 He purchased Rushton Hall in England. His father was James Henry Van Alen a Union Army General 1819-1886