Frank Jackson Van Dyke (August 10, 1907 – December 25, 1988) was an American politician, attorney, and a United States magistrate judge from the state of Oregon. He was a Republican who served eight years in the Oregon House of Representatives, where he represented a district in southern Oregon. He served as Speaker of the Oregon House of Representatives during the 1949 legislative session. He was elected speaker by a unanimous vote of House members. Later, he served as chairman of the Oregon Board of Higher Education, chairman of the Western Interstate Commission for Higher Education, and chairman of the Oregon State Board of Education. He also served as a federal magistrate for 27 years.
Early life Van Dyke was born on August 10, 1907, in Penang, Straits Settlements, British Malaya (now Malaysia). He was the son of Benjamin F. Van Dyke and Esther (Jackson) Van Dyke. His parents were Methodist missionaries serving in Singapore and British Malaya. In 1912, Van Dyke moved with his parents back to his father's hometown of Medford, Oregon. He attended public schools and then high school in Medford, graduating from Medford High School in 1926.Logan, K. C., "Session Sidelights of the 42nd Legislature",Capital Journal, Salem, Oregon, February 4, 1943, p. 3."Last Rites Held for B. F. Van Dyke", Medford Mail Tribune, Medford, Oregon, February 13, 1945, p. 8."Jackson County Candidates in May Primary",Medford Mail Tribune, Medford, Oregon, April 29, 1946, p. 3."Frank J. Van Dyke Named Member of Education Board", Medford Mail Tribune, Medford, Oregon, December 28, 1950, p. 1.
Van Dyke went on to college at the Willamette University. As a student, Van Dyke was very active in college life. He was the editor and business manager for the 1928-29 yearbook."Frank Van Dyke Wallulah Manager", Capital Journal, Salem, Oregon, May 15, 1928, p. 9. His junior year, he was elected class representative on the college's student body executive committee."W. U. Executive Group Members Finally Chosen", Statesman Journal, Salem, Oregon, October 3, 1928, p. 9. He was also elected president of Alpha Psi Delta fraternity that year."Van Dyke Heads Alpha Psi Delta", Statesman Journal, Salem, Oregon, January 16, 1930, p. 2. Van Dyke was on the university track team for four years, specializing in the mile and two-mile running events. He earned a varsity track letter during three of those seasons."Track Outlook at Willamette Poor", Statesman Journal, Salem, Oregon, February 24, 1931, p. 8."Awards Made at University", Statesman Journal, Salem, Oregon, June 5, 1931, p. 5. He graduated from Willamette University with a law degree in 1931."W. U. Graduates Number 87", Statesman Journal, Salem, Oregon, April 30, 1931, p. 12."Frank Van Dyke Named to Board of Higher Education", Statesman Journal, Salem, Oregon, December 28, 1950, p. 2.
Attorney and community leader After graduating from college, Van Dyke returned to Medford. In 1932, he was admitted to the Oregon State Bar and joined an established Medford law firm. A year later, he took a position in the nearby city of Ashland. His new associate position was with the Briggs and Briggs law firm. It included both private clients and work as Ashland's city attorney."Van Dyke, Deuel Pass Bar Exam for Admittance", Medford Mail Tribune, Medford, Oregon, October 14, 1932, p. 6."Law Graduate Gets Position", Statesman Journal, Salem, Oregon, November 17, 1933, p. 11. In 1934, Van Dyke open his own law office in Ashland while continuing to serve as Ashland's city attorney."Van Dyke Will Open Own Ashland Office", Medford Mail Tribune, Medford, Oregon, December 30, 1934, p. 8.
In addition, Van Dyke was active in a number of civic and fraternal organizations. For example, he was president and director of the Ashland chamber of commerce and chairman of the Ashland school board. He was also a member the local Rotary Club, American Legion, and chairman of the district Boy Scout council. He was president of the local Elks lodge and president of the Jackson County Shriners organization as well as a Mason. Van Dyke was also president of the Ashland Republican Club and president of the Lincoln Club of Jackson County, a group that supported Republican candidates."Republican Hold Meeting Tonight", Medford Mail Tribune, Medford, Oregon, September 22, 1936, p. 10."Van Dyke Leads Speakership Field as Re-election Candidacy Revealed",Medford Mail Tribune, Medford, Oregon, January 9, 1948, p. 1.
Van Dyke married Naomi Hohman in Ashland on June 10, 1934. Together, they had two children, a son and a daughter."Society and Clubs", Medford Mail Tribune], Medford, Oregon, June 5, 1934, p. 3. Van Dyke was divorced from his first wife in 1957."Circuit Court", Medford Mail Tribune, Medford, Oregon, January 8, 1957, p. 15. He later married Gladys Roberts and remained married to her for the rest of his life."Oral History Interview of Frank Jackson Van Dyke", recorded 1983, Object Identification LIB2010.1.6, Southern Oregon Historical Society, Medford, Oregon, archive file date February 3, 2010, accessed December 13, 2020."Frank Jackson Van Dyke", Oregon Death Index, 1903-1998, Oregon Death Index database, Oregon State Archives and Records Center, Salem, Oregon, accessed via www.familysearch.org on December 13, 2020.
In 1941, Van Dyke became the local coordinator for a United States Army cantonment being developed in Jackson County, north of Medford. In that capacity, he represented Jackson County communities and local businesses as the Army planned a new military training installation. Van Dyke worked with the Army Corps of Engineers and the Quartermaster Corps as they developed what became Camp White."Ashland Lawyer Starts Thursday on Liaison Duty", Medford Mail Tribune, Medford, Oregon, June 11, 1941, p. 1. "Van Dyke North on Camp Phase", Medford Mail Tribune, Medford, Oregon, September 8, 1941, p. 8."Coordinator to Line up Help on Camp Projects", Medford Mail Tribune, Medford, Oregon, December 17, 1941, p. 10.
State representative In 1942, Van Dyke decided to run for a District 19 seat the Oregon House of Representatives, representing Jackson County."Two File for Circuit Judge", Statesman Journal, Salem, Oregon, March 21, 1942, p. 2. While William M. McAllister of Medford also filed as a Republican, no Democrats joined the race. Because there were two seats in House District 19, political parties were able to nominate two candidates in the primary election so both Van Dyke and McAllister were advanced to the general election. Since there were no Democrats in the field, Van Dyke and McAllister won the two District 19 seats in the general election."Newbry is G.O.P. Choice for State Senate Candidate",Medford Mail Tribune, Medford, Oregon, May 17, 1941, p. 10."Representatives are Listed", Eugene Guard, Eugene, Oregon, May 17, 1941, p. 10."Oregon House Lists Many New Names", Statesman Journal, Salem, Oregon, November 5, 1942, p. 12.
However, Van Dyke had volunteered for service in the Army in early 1942. In the fall, he was called up for duty and sent to Camp Roberts in California for officer training. This meant he was not available to take his seat when the legislative session opened on January 11, 1943."Legislator Not Able to Serve", Capital Journal, Salem, Oregon, December 15, 1942, p. 15."Jackson Legislator Unable to Serve", Statesman Journal, Salem, Oregon, December 16, 1942, p. 2."1943 Regular Session (42nd): January 11 – March 10", Oregon Legislators and Staff Guide, Oregon State Archives, Salem, Oregon, accessed December 7, 2020.
Oregon law gave Jackson County commissioners the responsibility of filling Van Dyke's seat. They appointed Republican Fred C. Homes to serve as representative pro tem until Van Dyke was available to take his seat in the legislature."Homes to Make Capital Trip in Van Dyke's Place",Medford Mail Tribune, Medford, Oregon, December 28, 1942, p. 1. In late January 1943, the Army discharged Van Dyke due to a knee injury."Van Dyke to Resume Legislative Seat",Capital Journal, Salem, Oregon, January 23, 1943, p. 9."Frank Van Dyke to Assume Seat in Legislature",Medford Mail Tribune, Medford, Oregon, January 24, 1943, p. 8. Homes served in the Oregon House from the opening of the session through February 4. Van Dyke was sworn in as a state representative by Chief Justice John O. Bailey on February 5, 1943."F. Van Dyke Takes Seat",Statesman Journal, Salem, Oregon, February 6, 1943, p. 3. After being sworn in, Speaker of the House William McAllister appointed Van Dyke to the revision of law, public institutions, administration and reorganization, health and public morals, irrigation, and mining committees. He served until the end of the session, which was adjourned on March 10.
In 1944, Van Dyke announced his decision to run for re-election in House District 19."Van Dyke Will File for Representative",Statesman Journal, Salem, Oregon, February 6, 1944, p. 3. When Van Dyke filed for the nomination, he was joined by two other Republican candidates, O. H. Bengtson and Robert F. Kyle, both of Medford. No Democrats filed in District 19."Co, Commissioner Only Contest in Local Primaries",Medford Mail Tribune, Medford, Oregon, April 5, 1944, p. 4. Van Dyke and Bengtson won the Republican nominations for the two District 19 seats. Van Dyke also won the Democratic primary with 63 write-in votes. Since there were no Democrats nominated, the two Republicans were unopposed in the general election."1,326 Votes for Ralph Jennings on Bourbon List",Medford Mail Tribune, Medford, Oregon, May 29, 1944, p. 1."Canvass Board Finished Count in County Posts",Medford Mail Tribune, Medford, Oregon, November 10, 1944, p. 1.
Van Dyke took his seat in the Oregon House on January 8, 1945, representing District 19. He served through the 1945 regular legislative session which ended on March 17. During the session, Van Dyke was appointed chairman of utilities committee. He was also a member of counties and cities, judiciary, military affairs, mining, and post-war planning committees."1945 Regular Session (43rd): January 8 – March 17", Oregon Legislators and Staff Guide, Oregon State Archives, Salem, Oregon, accessed December 7, 2020."Jackson Solons on Committees",Eugene Guard, Eugene, Oregon, February 15, 1945, p. 1. As chairman of utilities committee, Van Dyke beat back an initiative to increase state taxes on municipal power companies from three to nine percent."Boost in Municipal Power Tax Killed",Medford Mail Tribune, Medford, Oregon, January 8, 1945, p. 1.
In 1946, Van Dyke decided to run for another two-year term in the Oregon House, representing Jackson County in District 19. Fellow Republican incumbent O. H. Bengtson also filed for re-election in District 19."Three Incumbents File for Legislature",Capitol Journal, Salem, Oregon, February 5, 1946, p. 12. Van Dyke and Bengtson were the only candidates in Republicans primary while no Democrats filed for the District 19 seats. Van Dyke and Bengtson not only won the Republican primary; they also won the Democratic primary with write-in votes so they are unopposed in general election."131 Candidates are Competing in Primaries for Nomination",Medford Mail Tribune, Medford, Oregon, May 9, 1946, p. 3."Jackson County G. O. P. Nominees Also Dem Choice",Medford Mail Tribune, Medford, Oregon, May 9, 1946, p. 3."State House of Representatives",Statesman Journal, Salem, Oregon, November 7, 1946, p. 2.