USA > Michigan > Kent County > Grand Rapids > Grand Rapids and Kent County, Michigan: History and Account of Their Progress from First. Vol. II > Part 48
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heres to the principles of the Republican party in his political affilia- tion, while as a fraternalist he belongs to Cedar Springs Lodge No. 213, F. & A. M.
Richard R. Smith, M. D .- Success in any of the pursuits of life invariably challenges the admiration of the world. It is the one dis- tinctive and distinguishing characteristic of all the transactions of existence, it matters not whether it be in the profession of law, edu- cation or medicine, or in the theological domain, in journalism, in military or civic affairs, or in public or political life. In the medical field alone, Dr. Richard R. Smith has won distinction and material reputation. During a period of twenty-one years he has been en- gaged in the practice of his profession at Grand Rapids, and few men have been more successful, particularly in the field of surgery, in which he has specialized entirely for a considerable number of years. Richard R. Smith, M. D., was born Dec. 10, 1869, at Grand Rapids, Mich., one of the five children of Rev. J. Morgan and Cordelia (Root) Smith. His father was born at Glastonbury, Hartford county, Con- necticut, and his mother at Middle Haddam, Middlesex county, in the same state, and they came to Grand Rapids in 1863. Here Reverend Smith, who was a minister of the Congregational faith, became pas- tor of the Park Church and held that pastorate until his death, which occurred Oct. 1, 1883. Mrs. Smith survived until Oct. 27, 1906. They were parents of the following children: Mary, who became the wife of Fred Parsons, of Brooklyn, N. Y., both of whom are now de- ceased; James A., born Nov. 3, 1865, who is United States consul- general at Calcutta, India ; Dr. Richard R .; Gertrude M., of Grand Rapids ; and J. Morgan, Jr., of San Francisco, Cal. Richard R. Smith attended Phillips Academy at Andover, Mass., for three years and then returned to Grand Rapids, where he graduated in the Central High School in 1888. Following his graduation from the latter he enrolled as a student at the University of Michigan in the literary department, where he continued one year. He then entered the de- partment of medicine of the same institution, in which he received his degree of Doctor of Medicine in 1892. Very soon after this he became house physician at the Butterworth Hospital, in which ca- pacity he acted for six months. Following this he entered general practice at Chassell, Houghton county, Michigan. Dr. Smith re- mained at that point for two and one-half years, when, to further his knowledge of medicine, he went to Europe and for one and one-half years prosecuted his studies in Germany and Vienna. Upon his re- turn to Grand Rapids in 1897, he became associated for a short time with Dr. Reuben Peterson, now of Ann Arbor, Mich. At this time he began to specialize in surgery. Since 1905 Dr. Henry J. Vanden- berg has been associated with him almost continuously in surgical practice. His practice has continued to grow and develop as his abil- ities have become recognized, and among his professional brethren he is accounted one of the leaders in his calling. Dr. Smith is a val- ued member of the Kent County Medical Society, the Michigan State Medical Society and the American Medical Association. He is also member of the Mississippi Valley Medical Association. He early be- came a fellow of the Chicago Gynecological and American Gyne- cological Societies and was one of the founders of the American Col- lege of Surgeons. He is also a member of the American Gynecolog-
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ical Club. He is a thirty-second degree Mason. As a citizen, while he has not sought public office or preferment above his fellows, he has always given his support to progressive and beneficial movements and has been generous in contributing of his abilities and energies where they have been asked in the forwarding of public-spirited en- terprises. In the Spring of 1917, following the entrance of the United States in the war, he became the director, with the rank of major, of the Butterworth-Blodgett Red Cross Hospital, Unit Q. Dr. Smith was married April 27, 1898, to Miss Myra Wonderly, daughter of Joseph H. and Queen (Ledyard) Wonderly, of Grand Rapids, and of this unoin there have been born two children-Dorothy R. and Beat- rice.
John Smits .- The kind of material which the financial inter- ests of Grand Rapids will look to for their support and betterment in the coming years is represented by John Smits, who occupies the responsible position of manager of the Wealthy Street Branch of the Grand Rapids Savings Bank. While this is the day of the young man, who is now found occupying positions of trust which formerly taxed the energies of those many years his senior, there are few to be found who have made such rapid strides as has Mr. Smits since he came to Grand Rapids to enter upon his career as a bank messenger. Mr. Smits is a representative of the sturdy element that has come from the Netherlands to occupy places in every avenue of life in Grand Rapids and was himself born in that country, Dec. 25, 1893, his parents being William and Marie (Van der Laan) Smits. His father, a miller by trade, which vocation he had followed in his na- tive land, brought his family to the United States in 1905, and, locat- ing at Grand Rapids, secured employment with the Valley City Mill- ing Company, with which concern he is still connected. He is a Re- publican, a devout member of the First Christian Reformed church, and a good citizen of his adopted land. William and Marie Smits have had the following children: John; Henry, of Grand Rapids ; Kathryn, residing with her parents; Raymond, who lives in this city ; Minnie, with her parents; and William, Jr., also at home. The eldest child of his parents, John Smits received his early education in the public schools of his native country, and supplemented this by attendance at the high school at Grand Rapids, to which city he was brought as a lad of less than twelve years. Later he went to Mc- Lachlan's Business College, and completed his studies at the Grand Rapids University, and with this excellent preparation began his ca- reer in banking circles. His first experience was gained in the posi- tion of messenger with the Grand Rapids National City Bank, but he did not long remain in that position, for his ability, fidelity and ambi- tion were soon discovered and he gradually arose through the differ- ent positions until, in 1914, he left that institution and cast his for- tunes with the Grand Rapids Savings Bank, as a general clerk. Later he was advanced to the post of teller, and from this it was but a step to take up the duties of relief manager of the various branches, where he secured the necessary experience for the position of man- ager of the Wealthy Street Branch, to which he was appointed in October, 1915. Mr. Smits is secretary and treasurer of the Morning- side Improvement Society and takes a keen interest in the life of his community. He is an independent voter in politics, and belongs to the Christian Reformed church. Before her marriage, June 3, 1915,
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Mrs. Smits was Miss Johanna Engberg, daughter of well-known people of Grand Rapids. She and Mr. Smits have a son, William. Dillman Snyder, Jr .- For the past nine years Caledonia town- ship has profited by the energy and good judgment of Dillman Sny- der, Jr., who owns and operates a farm of seventy-two acres on sec- tion 15. During his occupancy Mr. Snyder has added to the im- provements of the former owner, and, in engaging in general farming and stock raising, is conducting his operations along practical and modern lines. Mr. Snyder belongs to a family which originated in Switzerland, but which came to the United States 180 years ago and settled in Lancaster county, Pennsylvania. From that community they removed to Canada, in the year 1803, and settled in County Wa- terloo, Ontario, where Dillman Snyder, Sr., has passed his entire life. He was born and reared in this community and for a long pe- riod of years was engaged in agricultural pursuits, but the rigors of farm life in that country broke down his health, and as he was still in middle age and not ready for retirement he applied himself to the task of learning the trade of harness-maker, which he duly mastered. He followed this vocation with success for many more years, and is now living retired in Canada, having reached the age of eighty-four. Mrs. Snyder, who bore the maiden name of Lydia Anna Shoemaker, is now deceased. There were three children in the family-Dillman, Jr., and two adopted daughters-Anna, with whom Mr. Snyder now makes his home, and Catherine, deceased. Dillman Snyder, the younger, was born in County Waterloo, Ontario, Canada, Oct. 15, 1869, and in his native locality received his education in the public schools. When he was twelve years of age he left the parental roof and sought employment on the farms of the neighboring communi- ties, and he continued to be so engaged until he was nineteen years old, when he came to the United States and located at Saginaw, Mich., in which city he arrived June 6, 1889. After spending three years in that locality he began traveling to various points in Michi- gan and nearby states, but finally, in 1909, settled down permanently in Caledonia township, Kent county, where he purchased 152 acres of land. Later he sold off eighty acres of this property, and at the present time is engaged in the cultivation of seventy-two acres. He has fine improvements and commodious buildings, and his labors have been lightened by the installation of modern machinery and the use of the most enlightened methods. For the greater part he has applied himself to general farming, and the success that has rewarded his efforts evidences the possession of good agricultural ability and of more than ordinary business judgment and acumen. Mr. Snyder is a Republican, but has no political aspirations. His fraternal con- nection is with the Knights of the Maccabees, in which he is de- servedly popular. Mr. Snyder was married Sept. 14, 1898, to Miss Isabelle, daughter of Joseph and May (Cole) Weber, natives of County Waterloo, Canada, who at one time had a farm in Allegan county, Michigan, but both are now deceased. To Mr. and Mrs. Snyder have been born two children: Edith, Oct. 20, 1899, and Paul Leo, March 10, 1903. Mr. Snyder is one of the live and progressive men of his township, alive to new innovations, and is a factor in the various movements which have assisted the locality to grow and prosper.
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Frank W. Squier .- A man of large affairs, displaying at all times an aptitude for successful management, combined with keen sagacity in investment and marked executive ability in control of important interests, Frank W. Squier was long known as one of Grand Rapids' able business men, who contributed to the advancement and prestige of the city and whose citizenship was of a high order. Mr. Squier was born at Rochester, N. Y., Oct. 19, 1853, son of David W. and Sarah (Dayton) Squier, natives of the Empire State. The elder Squier, who was also a man of foresight and business ability, real- ized the possibilities of the West, and during the latter '50s or early '60s came to Michigan, settling at Grant, Newaygo county. There he passed the remainder of his life in important ventures, principally connected with the lumber industry, in which he was widely known. Both he and Mrs. Squier died many years ago. Frank W. Squier received his education in the public schools of Newaygo, Mich., and attended business college in Grand Rapids, as a youth, securing his first business experience while working with his father in the lumber business. He also applied himself to farming to some extent, a vo- cation in which he attained success, and later on in his career was the proprietor of a milling business near Grant, Mich. After a long and successful career he retired from active affairs and moved to Grand Rapids, where his death occurred eight years later, Feb. 5, 1915. Mr. Squier, as noted, was a man of keenness in making investments, and owned good farming lands and other realty, in addition to which he was a director and stockholder in banks at Grant, White Cloud and Sparta, and the Fourth National Bank of Grand Rapids. Through- out his entire business career, and in all of his dealings, it can be said of Mr. Squier that he never sought to benefit by the misfortune of others. He was a Democrat in his political views, but the public arena held out no attractions to him, he being wrapped up in his business affairs. Fraternally, he was connected with Grand Rapids Lodge of the Benevolent & Protective Order of Elks. Mr. Squier was married Feb. 19, 1891, to Miss Mary Dickinson, daughter of Frank and Mary (Kimbell) Dickinson, of Jonesville, Mich., who sur- vives him and resides at 218 Union avenue, S. E. Mrs. Squier is a native of Hillsdale county, Michigan, and is well known, both in her native county and in the community of her pleasant home at Grand Rapids.
Henry Stehouwer .- The vigorous and forceful younger banking element of Grand Rapids has a worthy and capable representative in the person of Henry Stehouwer, who since February, 1912, has been manager of the Leonard Street Branch of the Kent State Bank. While born in a foreign land, he has been a resident of Grand Rapids since infancy, and his entire training, educational, business and finan- cial, has been secured here, so that his career may be said to be typ- ical of what is being accomplished by the young men of brains, en- ergy and resource who have laid their plans well and followed them out perseveringly in the Furniture City. Mr. Stehouwer was born near the city of Rotterdam, Netherlands, July 11, 1881, son of Wil- liam and Mary E. (Van Proijen) Stehouwer, natives of the same country. His father, who was a small farmer in his own country, felt that he could achieve greater success in the United States and accord- ingly came here with his family, in 1882, and located at Grand Rap-
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FRANK W. SQUIRE
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ids. Here he secured employment in a factory, and during the fol- lowing ten years worked industriously and saved thriftily in order that he might become a property owner. In 1892 his ambition was realized by the attainment of a good Ottawa county farm, on which he continued to carry on successful agricultural operations until his death, July 23, 1916. He was a sturdy and energetic man, working perseveringly to carry out what he had planned, an honorable citizen, and a man who had at all times the respect of his fellow-men. Polit- ically he was a Republican, and his religious affiliation was with the Christian Reformed church, to which belongs also his widow, who since his demise has been living in quiet retirement at Lamont, Mich. They were the parents of ten children: Cornelius, a resident of Grand Rapids; John, who lives at Prairie City, Ia .; Peter, of Grand Rapids ; Mary, wife of John Van Harn, of Zeeland, Mich .; Benjamin, of Lamont, Mich .; Henry; Bessie, wife of Arthur Modderman, of Lamont; Joseph and Edward, who reside at Grand Rapids ; and Jen- nie, wife of Abraham Hyma, of Grand Rapids. Henry Stehouwer was a child of but one year when brought by his parents to Grand Rapids, and here he was given good educational advantages, attend- ing the public schools of this city and Lamont, and Calvin College, Grand Rapids, and later supplementing this with attendance at Mc- Lachlan's Business College. He was eleven years old when he began to live on the farm and there remained until twenty-two, when he went to Coopersville and for one and one-half years was connected with the Coopersville State Bank. The next six months he spent with the Holland City State Bank, at Holland, Mich., and he then re- turned to Grand Rapids to accept a position with the Kent State Bank. He rapidly rose in the confidence and estimation of his employers and in February, 1912, was placed in charge of the Leonard Street Branch of the institution, where he has fully vindicated the faith re- posed in him. Mr. Stehouwer is a Republican and a member of the Christian Reformed church. His social connection is with the Lotus club, and as a public-spirited citizen of his neighborhood he has con- tributed of his time, means and energies in assisting to attain the ob- jects of the Northwestern Improvement Association, of which he is a member. Mr. Stehouwer was married Nov. 2, 1910, to Johanna, daughter of John and Mary (Priester) Smit, of Grand Rapids, and of this union have been born two children-William Henry and Mari- am Elizabeth.
Jacob Steketee .- Among the families of Grand Rapids whose members have long held important positions in business, professional and public life, none are better known or more highly esteemed than that which bears the name of Steketee. Ever since the arrival of John Steketee in this city, in 1849 or 1850, those who have borne the name have contributed to the prestige of Grand Rapids in one or another way, and a worthy representative of the family is found in Jacob Steketee, son of John, a lawyer of prominence, a leading fac- tor in the real estate business, and a citizen who has figured promi- nently in public life. Jacob Steketee was born at Grand Rapids, Mich., Feb. 22, 1873, a son of John and Catherine (Vander Boegh) Steketee, and a grandson of Jan and Maria (Franje) Steketee. Jan Steketee was a dyke-builder in the employ of the Dutch government in the Netherlands, where he was born, April 17, 1803, and in that II-23
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country was married, his wife having been born there, Aug. 18, 1812. With their children they left their native land April 6, 1847, and after a long and perilous voyage arrived in the United States and at once made their way to Ottawa county, Michigan, at Zeeland. He became a substantial citizen of that community and was the founder of the village of Zeeland, which he named in honor of the village which he had left in his native country. In his later years he moved to Holland, Mich., and there both he and his wife passed away, well advanced in years and possessed of the respect and esteem of the people of their community. They were the parents of ten children, as follows: Cornelius, John and Paul, deceased; George G., of Grand Rapids; Paulina, deceased; Janna, of near Jenison, Ottawa county, Michigan, widow of David DeVree; Andries, who died in 1917; Peter, deceased; and Pieternella and Bastian, residents of Hol- land, Mich. John Steketee was born Jan. 13, 1833, at Borssele, Prov- ince of Zeeland, Netherlands, and was fourteen years of age when brought to the United States. His education was secured in the schools of his native land, and he was first employed by a Mr. Scott, who kept a general store at Grandville, remaining about two years. About the close of 1849 or the early part of 1850 he came to Grand Rapids, a city in which he was destined to become one of the leading and most prominent citizens. For a time he was a laborer, accepting whatever honorable employment presented itself, but later turned his attention to farming by the month, in Paris township, Kent county. Thus he worked until able to enter upon a career of his own, when he took up forty acres of land from the government, in Georgetown township, Ottawa county, but after clearing and disposing of it, re- turned to Paris township, and finally again made his home at Grand Rapids. Here he clerked for a time for Kirtland & Miller, which firm was operating a grocery, and began to become interested in pub- lic affairs. He secured the appointment as city poor-master, which office he held for several years, and from 1872 to 1876 served in the capacity of deputy sheriff of Kent county. All this time he had been investing his means in realty, having a firm conviction that this part of the country was to witness a great rise in land values, and his faith was eventually vindicated. In 1877 Mr. Steketee embarked in the real estate and loan business, and in this enterprise continued dur- ing the remainder of his commercial career, meeting with a splendid success and building up a large business. He was the medium through which some of the largest deals in the history of the city during his career were consummated, his knowledge of values being remarkable, his sagacity and business judgment of a high character and his reputation and standing in business circles of the best. In 1895 he retired from active pursuits and turned the responsibilities of his enterprise over to the capable and willing shoulders of his sons. A Republican in his political views, he was one of the active and prominent members of his party at Grand Rapids. For eleven years he was supervisor of the old First ward, and under the administration of President Benjamin Harrison was appointed internal revenue collector and held that office four years. About 1885 he was appointed vice-consul for the Netherlands for Michigan, and so capably and tactfully discharged the duties of that office that he was retained therein up to the time of his death, June 1, 1900.
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He was a faithful member of the Dutch Reformed church and was fraternally connected with the Masons, holding membership in Grand River Lodge No. 34. Mr. Steketee married Catherine Vander Boegh, who was born Nov. 7, 1833, at Kandzand, Province of Zeeland, Neth- erlands, and died at Grand Rapids, May 9, 1915, and they became the parents of the following children: Maria, who is the widow of Gys- bert Wieland and resides at Grand Rapids; John M., now of Berlin, Ottawa county ; Pauline C., wife of Bartil A. Beneker, of Grand Rap- ids ; Ella, deceased wife of A. J. Wilmers; Janna, deceased wife of John Van Donmelen; Cornelia, wife of Dr. Henry Hulst, of Grand Rapids ; Catherine, unmarried; Paul, who died as a boy, and Jacob. Jacob Steketee received good educational advantages in his youth, first attending the graded schools of Grand Rapids and the Grand Rapids High School, and subsequently pursuing a legal course at the University of Michigan, in which institution he was graduated with the class of 1895 with his degree. He was admitted to the bar and had built up a good practice by the time his father died, when he was appointed vice-consul. In 1912 he was appointed consul for the Neth- erlands for Michigan and Minnesota. Mr. Steketee's brother, John M., had entered their father's real estate business in 1890, and when the elder man retired, in 1895, he turned the business over to his sons, who then carried it on with much success until Sept. 1, 1915, when John M. retired from the business. Jacob Steketee bears an excel- lent reputation in both business and professional circles, and in his official position displays the qualities of diplomacy and executive force necessary for the discharge of his responsible and often deli- cate duties. He is a Republican in politics and in Masonry belongs to the Blue Lodge, Chapter, Commandery and Consistory, and is also a Shriner. Consul Steketee was married Nov. 7, 1895, to Miss Fran- ces M. Wallder, daughter of Frank and Anna (Bengtson) Wallder, and they have three children: John, born Sept. 28, 1897; Frank W., April 26, 1900; and Jacob, Jr., July 1, 1906.
Paul Steketee .- Among the earlier generation of Grand Rapids business men whose names are deserving of special mention for what they achieved in their several fields, is Paul Steketee, founder of the firm of Paul Steketee & Sons. His career was an exemplification of typical ambitious manhood, and he was accorded a place among the men whose activities served to establish the prestige of Grand Rap- ids as a commercial center. The Steketees are one of the oldest and most prominent families of Grand Rapids, Jan Steketee having come to the United States from Holland with his eleven children, in 1847, and settled on a farm in the vicinity of Zeeland, Ottawa county, Michigan. Paul Steketee, son of Jan, was born in Holland, Feb. 24, 1834, and was thirteen years of age when he came to the United States, his youth being passed on the farm, while his education was completed in the public schools. He remained on the home farm, assisting his father and brothers until 1848, when he came to Grand Rapids and accepted such employment as was offered to a youth of ambition and industry, John Kendall being his employer for eight years. Mr. Steketee always worked with the idea of one day entering business on his own account, and this goal was reached, in 1862, when, with John H. Doornink, he started a small store which fur- nished the nucleus for the large and 'important business of today.
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Under the energetic management of the partners, the little business gradually increased, attracting more and more trade, and finally be- came an enterprise of some size and importance. In 1872 Mr. Steketee bought Mr. Doornink's interests and removed his stock to Holland, Mich., where he was associated with his brother, Andrew, for six years. In 1878, however, he again came to Grand Rapids, and here, with his sons, John J. and Paul J., founded the firm of Paul Steketee & Sons. Later his other sons, Peter P. and Daniel, were admitted to partnership. There was also a daughter, Nellie. Paul Steketee con- tinued to be identified with this enterprise during the remainder of his life, and established a splendid record in commercial circles, be- ing a man who won public confidence and business prominence through straightforward and manly dealing with his fellows in all the avenues of life's endeavor. Peter P. Steketee, one of the sons, who assisted in the building up of this leading business establish- ment, inherited many of his father's fine abilities and sterling quali- ties of character, and succeeded in not only maintaining the family name for honesty and integrity, but in adding to the importance of the business. He is given extended mention on a succeeding page of this volume, and his sons, Paul F. and Harold, have succeeded him in the business of Paul Steketee & Sons. This establishment now em- ploys from 250 to 300 people, and occupies one of the large struc- tures of the city, with about 110,000 square feet of floor space. The business done is the outfitting of women and children, and the hand- ling of men's furnishings, with dry goods and other departments, in- cluding shoes, coats and suits, millinery, furs, rugs, carpets and drap- eries, underwear and corsets and knit goods. Paul Frederick Steke- tee was given a good educational training, attending the Central High School and the University of Michigan, in which latter he was grad- uated in 1903, with the degree of Bachelor of Arts. Following the family custom, he began his business career with the house founded by his grandfather, with which he has since been connected. He learned the business from the bottom and has gradually advanced himself through showing real ability and mastery of the details per- taining to the management of the store. He came into a business al- ready established, but has been compelled to display acumen and judgment in gaining advancement and to work energetically in main- taining the high standards of the business with which he is con- nected. He is a Republican, but not a politician. As a business man, he is energetic in the work of the Rotary club and the Association of Commerce, and he belongs also to the Peninsular and O-Wash- ta-nong clubs and the Phi Delta Theta fraternity. His religious con- nection is with the Westminster Presbyterian church, of which he is a trustee. Mr. Steketee was married Jan. 28, 1908, to Sallie, daughter of William Campbell and Julia (Jackson) Hall, of Brazil, Ind. Two children have been born of this union-Paul Frederick, Jr., and Campbell Hall. Harold A. Steketee, brother of Paul Frederick Steke- tee, and son of Peter P. and Minnie (DeGraaf) Steketee, is another of the energetic business men of the Furniture City who are rapidly coming to the front in commercial circles. He was born at Grand Rapids, Feb. 15, 1887, and received his education and training in this city, being a graduate of Central High School, class of 1905, and of the University of Michigan, Bachelor of Arts, class of 1909. Immedi-
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