Henry Jekel Henry Jekel – For many years, or since boyhood, Mr. Jekel has given the occupation of farming his principal time and attention, and that a lifetime spent in pursuing one calling will result in substantial success, especially if energy and perseverance are applied, is particularly true in his care. Mr Jekel is a self-made man in all that the words imply, and has known the demands of poverty, but his honesty, energy and stick-to-it-iveness have brought their rewards, which he and his family are now enjoying. His birth occurred in the Netherlands in 1825, to the union of John and Liban Jekel, natives also of that country. The father of our subject followed the pursuit of farming, and for some time was a day laborer. He was not very successful in that occupation, and, led by the promises of the Western lands of this country, he determined to brave Neptune’s tender mercies and seek a home in the United States. Receiving some assistance from friends, he made the voyage with his wife and two children in the year 1847, and came direct to Ottawa County, Mich., where he bought forty acres of land on section 14, Holland Township. While on his way to this county he stopped at an Indian Village, where his wife and children were sick for many months. His land was covered with heavy timer, and he lost no time in going to work to clear and improve it. At a time when the fruits of his labor began to show, or a few years after moving there, he passed away at the age of fifty-six. His wife followed him to the grave a few years later. The boyhood and youth of our subject were passed in his native country, and he there received a good common-school education. When but ten years of age he hired out to earn money for the support of the family, and he saw very few idle days from that time on. In 1846, during the month of October, he took passage for America, reaching the United States on Christmas Day, after being on the ocean sixty-five days. The vessel encountered many storms, and several times it was thought that she would go to the bottom. Young Jekel reached the United States with little money and $40 in debt, a kind friend loaning him that amount previous to starting. He first located near Albany and went to work on a farm, remaining there nearly a year. In October, 1847, he came to Michigan and located in Ottawa County, where he worked out for several years. By industry and economy Mr. Jekel accumulated sufficient means to buy a farm, and in 1849 he was married to Miss Jane Harms. He is now the owner of eighty acres of fine land and is one of the industrious, enterprising men of the township. His land was wild when he first settled on it, but energy and perseverance accomplished wonders in his case. Mr. Jekel is a member of the Reformed Church and takes a deep interest in its progress, as he does in all other enterprises of moment. His marriage resulted in the birth of two children, John and Jennie. The latter married John Barkel, and several children were born to them. Mrs. Barkel died, and one of her children, Jennie, has been taken by our subject to rear. In his political views our subject is a Democrat. He and his brother, John, are the only ones living of five children born to his parents. These children were in the order of their births as follows: Ella, deceased; Henry and Albert (twins), the latter dying at the age of eighteen; John and William.