Thomas B. Van Buren

from The New York Times, October 15, 1889:

              OBITUARY NOTES.
 The death of Thomas Brodhead Van Buren in San
Francisco on Sunday will grieve a wide circle of
friends in this city where he lived until ill health
three years ago led him to seek a milder climate. He
was sixty-three years old. Up to 1874 he had prac-
ticed law here since he won a diploma from Union
College. He belonged to the Union League Club, and
was in active sympathy with the purposes of that
organization during the rebellion. In 1874 he went
to Japan as Consul General for this Government.
He wrote for the Government a valuable and in-
structive treatise upon that country, embodying the
results of extended travel and onservation. His
official residence there lasted until 1885, when he
came home broken in health. Mr. Van Buren's
father was Dr. Peter Van Buren, a cousin of Martin
Van Buren. William Walter Phelps and Mr. Van
Buren married sisters, daughters of Joseph E. Shef-
field of New-Haven.

from The New York Times, October 27, 1889:

          GEN. VAN BUREN'S FUNERAL.
        A NEPHEW OF MARTIN VAN BUREN
         BURIED AT ENGLEWOOD, N. J.
 The funeral of Gen. Thomas B. Van Buren,
whose death at San Fransisco on Oct. 13 was
announced in THE TIMES, was held yesterday
afternoon in the First Presbyterian Church at
Englewood, N. J. Many friends and members 
of the Grand Army of the Republic and Loyal
Legion were present. Gen. Thomas Broadhead
Van Buren, a nephew of ex-President Martin
Van Buren, was born at Clermont, N. Y., on
June 20, 1824. He studied law after receiv-
ing a classical education. He was attracted to
California in the pioneer days of the State, and
assisted in shaping its early legislation. He re-
turned to New-York shortly before the war
broke out.
 Quickly espousing the Union cause he entered
the army as Colonel of the One Hundred and
Second New-York Volunteers. He participated in
the campaign of 1862 from the Battle Mountain
fight to the Second Bull Run. He was also pres-
ent at Antietam. His poor health caused him 
to resign. In 1865 he was brevetted Brigadier
General by President Lincoln. Gen. Van Buren
practiced law until 1873, when President Grant
appointed him Commissioner General of the
United States at the Vienna Exposition, and a
year later Consul General to Japan. On his re-
turn from his foreign post he made his home in
San Fransisco. He was a member of the Pacific
Union Club.
 Gen Van Buren leaves a widow and three
sons and one daughter. He was also brother-
in-law to William Walter Phelps of New-Jersey.