USA > Michigan > Allegan County > A twentieth century history of Allegan County, Michigan > Part 52
Note: The text from this book was generated using artificial intelligence so there may be some errors. The full pages can be found on Archive.org (link on the Part 1 page).
Part 1 | Part 2 | Part 3 | Part 4 | Part 5 | Part 6 | Part 7 | Part 8 | Part 9 | Part 10 | Part 11 | Part 12 | Part 13 | Part 14 | Part 15 | Part 16 | Part 17 | Part 18 | Part 19 | Part 20 | Part 21 | Part 22 | Part 23 | Part 24 | Part 25 | Part 26 | Part 27 | Part 28 | Part 29 | Part 30 | Part 31 | Part 32 | Part 33 | Part 34 | Part 35 | Part 36 | Part 37 | Part 38 | Part 39 | Part 40 | Part 41 | Part 42 | Part 43 | Part 44 | Part 45 | Part 46 | Part 47 | Part 48 | Part 49 | Part 50 | Part 51 | Part 52 | Part 53 | Part 54 | Part 55 | Part 56 | Part 57 | Part 58 | Part 59 | Part 60 | Part 61 | Part 62 | Part 63 | Part 64 | Part 65 | Part 66 | Part 67 | Part 68 | Part 69 | Part 70 | Part 71 | Part 72 | Part 73 | Part 74 | Part 75 | Part 76 | Part 77 | Part 78 | Part 79 | Part 80 | Part 81 | Part 82 | Part 83 | Part 84 | Part 85
HENRY BRINKMAN, who for many years has been numbered among the enterprising farmers of Laketown township, Allegan county, Michigan, where he owns and operates sixty acres of land, is a native of the Nether- lands, his natal year being 1851. He is a son of John and Grace Brinkman, likewise natives of that country, whence they emigrated in 1861 to the United States. The father was a carpenter by trade and following that pursuit in his native land, and after coming to the United States continued his operations along that line with profit and success. He purchased a tract of eighty acres in Fillmore township, this county, which he operated in conjunction with his work as a carpenter. He was an expert mechanic and was connected with much important building in his section of the state, where he became a prominent and influential citizen, being true and loyal to the principles of his adopted country. His death occurred in 1864, while his widow survived for many years, being called to her final rest in 1898. Their family numbered seven children: John, Henry, Hilbert, Henrietta, and three who died in early life.
Henry Brinkman accompanied his parents on their emigration to the new world in 1861, being then a lad of only ten years. His education, begun in his native country, was continued after the arrival of the family in Michigan, where he attended the district schools near his father's home. Being well pleased with this state and the opportunities which it offers to the agriculturist, he has always continued his residence here to the present time, having lived in Allegan county from the time of his arrival in the new world, and in Laketown township since 1877. in which year he pur- chased forty acres of land, this being a part of his present homestead prop- erty, to which he added an additional twenty-acre tract in 1882. He is an industrious and progressive farmer, following only the best methods in the prosecution of his work. He raises the cereals best adapted to soil and climate and each year harvests good crops, which find a ready sale on the market, where they command a high price, owing to their excellence.
After making his first purchase of land, Mr. Brinkman further com- pleted his arrangements for having a home of his own by his marriage to Miss Gesenia Benefeldt, and their home has been blessed with seven children, namely: George, Grace, Ethel, Albert, Jennie and Ettie, all still at home. The family are members of the Dutch Reformed church, while Mr. Brinkman is now serving as assessor of school district No. 3, of Lake- town township. As an agriculturist he has made a creditable record. his efforts resulting in the achievement of success, and he is today numbered among the influential and prosperous farmers of Allegan county.
JOHANNAS HEERSPINK, a representative and well-to-do farmer and fruit raiser of Laketown township, was born on the farm which is still his home, his natal year being 1850, and is of Holland descent. His father, George Heerspink, was born in the Netherlands in 1817, and, with the hope of bettering his financial condition in the new world, crossed the Atlantic in his early manhood and made his way to Allegan county, this state. His wife, who in her maidenhood was Miss Fannie Boucamp, was born in
372
HISTORY OF ALLEGAN COUNTY
Germany in 1822, and had also come to this country at an early day, settling in Allegan county, where she formed the acquaintance of George Heerspink, and afterward, in 1848, gave to him her hand in marriage. The young couple took up their abode in Allegan, where they resided for some time, and later the father purchased a tract of eighty acres in Laketown town- ship, to which he removed. The land was mostly wild and unimproved, but the father began the work of development and improvement, first making a clearing sufficient to build a log cabin, which continued to be the home of the family through a long period, but this was later replaced by a more commodious and modern frame residence. Mr. Heerspink was connected with the improvement and upbuilding of Allegan county during its early pioneer epoch and was classed among its prominent and influential citizens. He continued his residence on his farm, of which he had disposed of twenty acres, until his demise, which occurred January 7, 1882, while his wife had preceded him to the home beyond, her death occurring November 12, 1880. Their family numbered but two children: Johannas, of this review, and Jennie, deceased.
Johannes Heerspink, the only surviving member of his father's family, was reared in the usual manner of farm lads, assisting his father in the operation of the farm, and in the meantime acquiring a common school education during his boyhood and youth. When he started out in life on his own account he chose the occupation to which he had been reared, and in which he has met with gratifying success. Following the demise of his father in 1882, Mr. Heerspink came into possession of the old homestead property, and here is engaged in general farming and fruit raising. He has a fine orchard containing one thousand peach trees, two hundred apple trees, one hundred pear trees and twenty-five plum trees, in addition to which he raises berries and other small fruit. Mr. Heerspink has a well improved farm of sixty acres, and is a man of progressive spirit, who keeps in touch with the trend of modern development along agricultural lines.
In 1872 our subject chose as a companion and helpmate for life's journey Miss Fannie Mapplink, who was born in the Netherlands, August 23, 1853, and in 1871, when a young lady of eighteen years, she emigrated to this country. By her marriage she has become the mother of ten chil- dren : Fannie, Clacena, Jennie, George (deceased). George, Herman, John, Frederick, Johanna and Dena. The family are members of the Christian Reformed church at Graafschap. Mr. Heerspink is a man of enterprise, energy and integrity and his life is exemplary in many respects, so that he has won the confidence and good will of all with whom he has had business relations.
TAAL BRINKS, who has cleared and improved the farm upon which he now resides, has been a resident of Laketown township since 1881, and his broad experience and practical methods in farming have made him a repre- sentative agriculturist of his community. Like many of the residents of this portion of the state, he is a native son of the Netherlands, having been born in Holland November 30, 1854. His parents were B. and Helen (Ottens) Brinks, also natives of the same country, whence they emigrated to the United States in the spring of 1871. Making their way at once to Allegan county, Michigan, they purchased forty acres of land in Fillmore
Caal, Brinks and family,
373
HISTORY OF ALLEGAN COUNTY
township, which is now the property of their son, R. J. Brinks. The father was an honest and industrious farmer and a loyal citizen of his adopted country, whose life was quietly passed yet exemplifying many sterling traits of character, as manifest in his devotion to the general welfare and his reliability in his private business life. He died in 1904, having for about three years survived his wife, who passed away in 1901. They were mem- bers of the Christian Reformed church. Their children were eight in number : R. J., Taal, Jennie (deceased), Gertrude, Maggie, Hattie. Grace and John.
Taal Brinks spent the first sixteen years of his life in the land of his birth and then came with his parents to the new world. He has since been connected with agricultural interests in Allegan county, and since 1881 has lived in Laketown township, in which year he purchased his farm of forty acres. This he at once began to clear and improve, for the land was unculti- vated when it came into his possession. He has erected thereon suitable and convenient buildings of modern construction and carries on mixed farming. raising, however, crops of a superior quality that command the highest market prices. He has had broad experience and possesses accurate knowl- edge of the best methods of carrying on farm work, and his place in every department is neat and thrifty.
In the same year in which he located on his farm Mr. Brinks was married to Miss Carrie Ensing, the ceremony taking place on the 21st of May, 1881. She was born in the Netherlands December 20, 1860, and came to the new world in 1871. By this marriage there are seven children : Helen, Anna, Bertha, Henry, Henrietta and Jennetta (twins), and Gertrude.
Mr. Brinks exercises his right of franchise in support of the men and measures of the Republican party and keeps well informed on the questions and issues of the day. He has held the office of school director in his district for nine years and has been a member of the board of review for ten years. He and his wife are members of the Christian Reformed church, in the work of which they take an active and helpful interest. Mr. Brinks serving now as one of the teachers of the Sunday-school. In 1889 he built a modern residence upon his farm, where he is now most comfortably situated.
JOHN A. ATMAN has resided upon his present farm in Laketown town- ship since 1891, and is a man of industry and energy. as manifest in the splendid appearance of his place with its modern equipments. He was born in Germany July 4, 1867, and his parents, John and Alice (Rattarank) Atman, were also natives of that country. The father died in his native land in 1878, when his son John was only eleven years of age. In the family were seven children, three of whom are living. John A. Atman, however, being the only one in this country. His mother married again. her second husband being Henry Massalank. and both are now well advanced in years, Mr. Massalank having reached the age of seventy-eight years, while his wife is seventy-four.
In the schools of his native locality John A. Atman acquired the educa- tion which prepared him for life's practical and responsible duties, and when he was twenty years of age he bade adieu to friends and fatherland and sailed for America, where he has since remained, becoming a loyal citizen of the
374
HISTORY OF ALLEGAN COUNTY
republic. In 1882 his mother and step-father also came to the United States and purchased thirty-one acres of land in Laketown township, Allegan county, Michigan. For some years Mr. Massalank followed agri- cultural pursuits successfully, but they are now living with Mr. Atman in their old age.
On December 6, 1891, Mr. Atman was married to Miss Jennie Elbert, a daughter of Edward Elbert, and they have become the parents of four children: John, Albert, Herman, and one that died in infancy. The parents are members of the Christian Reformed church and their genuine worth is attested by the number of their friends in the locality where they reside and where they are best known.
Their home is upon the farm which has been owned and occupied by Mr. Atman since 1891, and which comprises sixty acres of land. The soil is rich and alluvial, and his farm work is carried on along practical and scientific principles that yield good results.
GEORGE STRATTON .- The farming interests of Laketown township find a worthy representative in George Stratton, who is living not far from the city of Holland. He owns and operates eighty acres of good farming land, devoted to dairying and fruit growing. One of Michigan's native sons, he was born in Berrien county on the 7th of November, 1856. his parents being Nathaniel and Mary (Murdock) Stratton. The paternal grandfather was Charles Stratton, a soldier of the Civil war, and the family was also repre- sented therein by Ephraim and Henry Stratton, uncles of our subject, who served in a Michigan regiment in the Union army. The father was born in the state of New York in 1816 and was of Scotch extraction, while his wife, a native of Pennsylvania, was born in 1820. When young people they came to Michigan, each arriving in the state about 1840, and in 1841 they were married. Early settlers of Berrien county, they were thus identified with its pioneer experiences and primitive development and they lived to see all this section of the state transformed into a rich region of fertility, bringing forth good crops in orchard and fruit. Nathaniel Stratton lived to a ripe old age, passing away in August, 1902, at the age of eighty-six years, and his widow still survives, also at the age of eighty-six. The farm upon which his son George is now living was purchased by him in 1862, at which time he built thereon a log cabin and began to clear and improve his land. The family numbered fourteen children. ten of whom reached adult age, while eight are still living: Frank, George, Eliza, Emma, Ida, Melvira, Cora and Marietta.
George Stratton was a little lad of six years when brought by the family to Allegan county, the home being established in Laketown township upon the farm which is still his place of residence. Before his death the father cleared twenty acres of the land and the remainder has been cleared by Mr. Stratton, of this review, who aided in erecting the buildings and assisted in all the other work of improvement along modern lines. His education was acquired in the district schools not far from the old home and he continued to aid in the operation of the farm until 1871, when he began sailing on the lakes, acting as steward and cook. For fourteen years of that time his wife sailed with him and was assistant cook. In this way they accumulated money enough to purchase property in Chicago and also obtained a bank account
375
HISTORY OF ALLEGAN COUNTY
large enough to place them at their ease with regard to finances. In 1891 Mr. Stratton made purchase of the old home farm and now has eighty acres of good land, of which five acres is planted to peaches. He also has four hundred and fifty apple and fifty cherry trees upon his place. His farm is well adapted to dairy purposes and he has recently turned his attention to that line of business.
In 1884 Mr. Stratton was married to Miss Bertha Triebsees, a daughter of Godfried Triebsees, who was a native' of Germany but became a loyal citizen of the United States and served his adopted country in the Civil war by becoming a member of Company L, Third Regiment of Missouri Light Artillery. He joined the army in 1861 and was honorably discharged in 1864, after which he re-enlisted in the same command. He was held as a prisoner of war in Libby prison for some time, but at the close of hostilities was honorably discharged in 1865. He lived for many years to enjoy the peace and prosperity which followed that dark hour in our country's history and died on the 15th of August, 1895, at the ripe old age of eighty- three years. One son, Charles, has been born to Mr. and Mrs. Stratton. His birth occurred in January, 1889, and he died twelve days later. The parents are well known in this part of Allegan county and are most enterprising people, whose success is attributable entirely to their own well directed labors, frugality and laudable ambition.
REV. JOHN H. PARR is proprietor of Castle Park, one of the attractive summer resorts on the shore of Lake Michigan. With its picturesque sur- roundings, its quiet and retirement. it affords a most fitting place for both rest and recreation. Mr. Parr was born in La Salle county, Illinois, in 1851, and is a son of James and Elizabeth ( Moore) Parr, both of whom were natives of Illinois. His father was a prosperous and influential farmer, in whose family there were eleven children, seven of whom are now living : Lewis, who is in the real estate business ; Samuel W., who is professor of chemistry in the State University at Champaign, Illinois; Edward, who is engaged in business as a stock broker ; John H., of this review : Frances. Alice and Mrs. Dr. Van Benschoten, all of Chicago.
Rev. John H. Parr was reared on a farm and acquired his early educa- tion in the district schools of his native town. Subsequently he entered the State Normal School at Normal, Illinois, from which institution he was graduated, and he afterward pursued a full course in the Chicago Theo- logical School, of which he is also an alumnus. Both prior to and subsequent to his attendance at the Theological School he engaged in teaching. following that profession altogether for fifteen years. In 1881 he was ordained to the ministry of the Congregational church and had two pastorates. one in Chicago and the other in a suburb of that city. Shortly after his ordination he was married to Mary E. Page, of Aurora, Illinois, who died four and a half years later. Two children were the fruit of this marriage, both of whom died in infancy.
In 1890 Mr. Parr was united in marriage to Miss Flora, the daughter of William A. and Eveline ( Eames) Pennell. Her parents were natives of Vermont, but Mrs. Parr was born in Illinois. She is a highly accomplished lady and is a graduate of the Illinois State Normal School and also of Vassar College, at Poughkeepsie, New York. Following her graduation she
376
HISTORY OF ALLEGAN COUNTY
taught school for three years in the Elgin high school and was afterward a teacher for thirteen years in the State Normal School, where she also acted as preceptress. Mr. and Mrs. Parr have one daughter, Dorothy.
Since 1896 Mr. Parr has conducted one of the most attractive summer resorts in Allegan county. He has here forty acres of land, situated on the eastern shore of Lake Michigan. The beautiful tree-crowned sand hills slope to the lake and in the little vale where stands the castle there are also many attractive cottages. The castle was originally erected by a German in 1892, who built it for his home, fashioned after the pattern of a German castle. It was purchased in 1896 by Mr. Parr, who enlarged, beautified and transformed it into a most attractive and home-like hotel, making it one of the most popular resorts on Lake Michigan. Here the guests can have complete rest and quiet, or such social life as they may desire. There is an excellent bathing beach, tennis court, golf links, quoits and croquet grounds. From the beginning of the existence of this place as a resort in 1896 its life has always been dominated by an intellectual and moral tone that brings to it a most desirable class of patrons. In addition to the castle proper, which is a stately brick structure, tower-crowned, Mr. Parr owns the forty acres of land by which it is surrounded and upon which he has erected cottages, which he rents during the season. He has also sold lots upon which others have erected suitable summer homes, and the whole presents somewhat the appearance of a growing and prosperous village and yet does not lose any of the charm of a rural resort. The patronage has advanced from forty guests in 1896 to five hundred in a single season. Formerly there were two buildings, but today there are twenty and the hotel can accommodate at one time one hundred and twenty-five guests. This place is connected with Holland and Macatawa Park by trolley and a short stage route. While nature has provided many advantages, yet these have greatly been improved through the efforts of Mr. Parr and his accomplished wife, who look after every detail that may contribute to the comfort and convenience of their guests.
GERRIT MEYERS, deceased, was one of the carly pioneers of the Holland settlement in Allegan county-a worthy man and loyal citizen of his adopted country, who in his business life made an honorable name, at the same time securing a goodly measure of success. He was born in the Netherlands in 1813 and followed agricultural pursuits in his native country, but the reports which came to him from America, telling of its opportunities and advantages, influenced him to come to the new world, and he never had occasion to regret the step. It was in 1847 that he came to the United States, where he could have freedom of speech and of suffrage and also have a chance for business advancement. Arriving in this country he pro- ceeded to Michigan, settling first at Kalamazoo, where he engaged in the manufacture of brick. He was employed there for two years, after which he removed to Laketown township and purchased the farm upon which his two sons, Harm and Gerrit, now reside, and which contained eighty acres of land, forty acres having been purchased in 1849 and forty in 1854. At the time of the purchase this was in its primitive state, covered with the native growth of timber, but in a few years he soon wrought a change, developing it from a wilderness into a profitable farm. Various kinds of
377
HISTORY OF ALLEGAN COUNTY
trees grew upon it, furnishing timber of different density and quality. There was an abundance of hemlock, which gave him occupation in peeling the bark and disposing of it at a fair price. He also cut and sold logs and in this way supplied himself with means to meet his household expenses while he was preparing his farm for the new crops.
It was in 1849 that Mr. Meyers was married to Miss Gertrude Strur, and for forty-six years they traveled life's journey happily together, but were separated by the death of Mr. Meyers in 1895, his wife surviving until 1905, when she, too, was called from this life. They were both members of the Christian Reformed church and to its teachings were most faithful, thus developing characters that made them esteemed by all. Their family num- bered nine children : Oran, John, Joseph (deceased). William, Susan (the wife of A. Barrs), Henry, Benjamin, Harm and Gerrit.
The last two are farmers and fruit growers and their experience and success along these lines have gained for them a merited reputation as leading representatives of the agricultural interests of the county. They cultivate soil which is very rich and productive and they raise mixed crops. They also have one thousand peach trees upon their place, with a half acre planted to apples, also a half acre of strawberries and a similar amount of blackberries. They raise fruit of splendid size and fine flavor and their crops therefore find a ready sale on the market. The extent of their fruit raising interest makes their farm a very busy place during the picking and packing season and they also annually gather good harvests from the fields.
HERMON TEN CATE is a farmer of Laketown township, where he has spent his entire life. He is practical as well as progressive in all that he does and his farm of forty acres, which he has owned since 1891. indicates in its well kept appearance his careful supervision and enterprise. Born in this township in 1866, he is a son of Dick and Dina (Unk) Ten Cate, both of whom were natives of the Netherlands. They emigrated to the United States in 1848 and were among the first of the Holland residents to settle in Allegan county. The father took up his abode at Kalamazoo, and in due time was married there, after which he purchased a farm that he brought under a high state of cultivation. Eventually he sold that property and later bought three other farms, two of which he improved and sold. The fourth, comprising eighty acres, was divided between his two sons, Hermon and Henry, who now own it, each having forty acres. Mr. and Mrs. Ten Cate reside in Holland and are spending their declining days in honorable and comfortable retirement.
Hermon Ten Cate passed the days of his boyhood and youth in his parents' home and early became familiar with the varied work of the farm. His education was acquired in the public schools near by and since putting aside his text-books he has concentrated his energies upon agricultural pur- suits. He has owned his present farm since 1891. has cleared and improved it. and it now presents a most excellent appearance. for the fields are well tilled and the orchards are most thrifty.
Mr. Ten Cate was married first to Miss Hattie Kaump, who died eight months later, and for his second wife he chose Miss Gertie Snyders, whom he wedded in November. 1892. They became the parents of six children. of whom three are living-Dina. Alice and Dora. Mr. and Mrs. Ten Cate are members of the Dutch Reformed church of East Saugatuck, and Mr.
378
HISTORY OF ALLEGAN COUNTY
Ten Cate is classed with the representative business man, who is reliable under all conditions and whose probity stands as an unquestioned fact in his life history.
JACOB D. Boss is one of the successful farmers of Fillmore township, where he lives upon a farm of eighty acres on section II, which has been his home nearly all his life. He was born here March 9, 1862, the second in order of birth of four children. His father, Davis Boss, was born in Holland and came to America in 1851, locating in Allegan county and Fill- more township, upon the same farm which Jacob D. now occupies. Here he cleared and improved the farm which was his home for many years there- after. He was one of the early settlers of Fillmore township and he did his full share in the development of this section. His death took place in Hol- land township, Ottawa county, September 14, 1892, when he was in his sixty-sixth year.
Need help finding more records? Try our genealogical records directory which has more than 1 million sources to help you more easily locate the available records.