Dr. Jacob Van Houten born in Waupun, Wisconsin December 18, 1876. completed his medical degree at Northwestern University in Chicago.

In April 1900 he began his medical practice in Valley City in partnership with Dr. L. S. Platou. In 1905 he opened an office in the Dakota Drug Building and remained there nearly sixty years. That same year he married Florence Whitfield Hallock on August 24, 1905. She was registered nurse in the Platou hospital (now the Lion Courts). Three children were born to this couple: Delphine, Charlotte and Hallock. In 1922 Dr. Van Houten was appointed County Health officer, serving until 1925. In 1931 he was again appointed and served until 1959. He gained national recognition with his program of Immunization in the Barnes County schools; earning him nomination in 1951 for "Who's Important in Medicine," a national publication. He was a member of the medical staff at Mercy Hospital and his hobbies were hunting fishing, carpentry and bridge. He died May 21, 1964 and was preceded in death by his wife on February 7, 1938.

Source: Barnes County History 1976 Page 258