Peter W. Van Dyke, husband of Mary E. Brower

Celebrate 57th Anniversary In Their Original Home
Mr. and Mrs. Peter Wyckoff Van Dyke Reside in Same 45th St. Home Since Marriage.

Mr. and Mrs. Peter Wykoff Van Dyke have been married 57 years today. The house in which they are living is the one to which they moved after their wedding, in 1872. It was then a farm house, and Mr. Van Dyke raised potatoes, cabbages and other vegetables on his 38 acres until he was 68 years old. It is now 1681 East 45th st. "When the potato plants were in bloom," he remembers, "as far aa you could see, everything was white. It looked like snow and was like the cotton fields In the South." Mr. Van Dyke was born in a Flatbush farmhouse not far from his present home. His father was born in what is now the Red Hook section and his grandfather at one time operated a spice mill near the site of the Fulton ferry. Mrs. Van Dyke, who before her marriage was Miss Mary K. Brower, was born in New Hamburg, N. Y'., where the wedding took place. She likes to recall the old days, before the automobile and the motion pictures changed the standards of amusement "We all used to go off in a wagon, or if it was winter, in a sleigh, and we'd go into town for a minstrel, or a play, sometimes. Often we just drove around in a wooden sleigh, or a hay-wagon, and took our lunch or supper along-. We had many good times that way. " Mr. Van Dyke left school when he was 15, to work on his father's farm. He started smoking at 16, and has been enjoying his pipes and a few cigars ever slnce. He is a member and a former elder of the Dutch Reformed Church in the neighborhood. Although he is a Democrat and his wife a Republican, the couple never are disturbed by their difference of opinion. They think that that may be one reason for the happiness of their long married life. "I never believe in arguing when people don't agree with me. You don't stand much chance of convincing them, and you might make hard feelings. I respect others' beliefs, and everyone has a right to hla own opinions." They have one son, Albert N. Van Dyke, and he and his wife make their home with his parents. Their two granddaughters are married, and have moved out of town. Their five great-grandchildren often spend Sunday with Mr. and Mrs. Van Dyke, who are very much Interested in their progress at school. Mr. Van Dyke thinks that one of the greatest advances of the last 50 years is the improvement and increase in number of schools. "Educatlon Is a good thing," he thinks. "It makes life pleasanter, and often makes it easier to earn a living." Speaking of his own boyhood, he said, "I had a good time, working on the farm as a boy, and though I worked hard, it didn't hurt me. Those days, and the first years of my married life, were the happiest of all." Although Mr. Van Dyke is not quite as spry as he was some years ago, and hls wife rarely leaves the house, each is confident that the other will see the 60th wedding anniversary. No celebration has been planned, but a few friends are expected to call and congratulate them today.^9,6