JACOB WEERSING Jacob Weersing, a well known citizen and enterprising general agriculturist, and for more than a score of years, closely identified with the progressive growth of Michigan, cultivates a finely-improved farm located on section 36, Holland Township, Ottawa County, and, a man of ability and upright character, commands the sincere respect of a large acquaintance. Mr. Weersing, a native of the Netherlands, was born in Drenthe in the year 1836. His ancestors had patiently tilled the fertile soil of the Fatherland, and although but a few of the family gained wealth, they were all self-respecting, hard-working and industrious people, bringing their children up to strict religious observance and unswerving honesty. The parents of our subject, John and Catherine Weersing, were natives of the near vicinity of the birthplace of their son Jacob. The father, born in 1807, and the mother in 1809, were reared and educated in the same neighborhood, and marrying began their housekeeping amid the familiar scenes of their childhood. The father, by occupation a farmer, was in excellent financial circumstances, owning one hundred acres of fertile land, which usually yielded him a good harvest. Brought up from his youth to the daily round of agricultural pursuits, he had that thoroughly practical knowledge of farming which seldom fails to issue success. Eight children blessed the home of the parents, but six are now deceased. Catherine, wife of John Johnson and Jacob, our subject, alone survive. The devoted wife and mother died in her native land, mourned by many friends and relatives. Sometime subsequent to her demise, the father determined to try his fortune in America, and in 1870, with his children embarked for the United States. Landing safe and sound in New York, the family remained but a brief time in the East, almost immediately journeying to Michigan, where they located in Holland, Ottawa County, among former friends and neighbors of the Old Country. Here the father bought seventy-two acres of land partially improved, and with energy entered into the further development of his homestead in new land, from thenceforth his permanent residences. The father survived his arrival in the United States fifteen years and passed away in 1885, regretted by all who knew him. He was a devout member of the Dutch Reformed Church, and from his youth upright, conscientious and faithful in all things possessed the confidence of friends and neighbors. Jacob Weersing received his education in the common schools of his native land, where he attained to manhood and in due coarse of time married Miss Jacoba Boalans. This marriage was blessed by the birth of four children: John, who married Ida Lemmon; Catherine, wife of John Dewitt; Jane, deceased; and Jacoba, wife of Ara Tenkate. The first wife died in 1871, after a residence of about two weeks in the United States. A second time entered the bonds of matrimony, Mr. Weersing was wedded to Miss Fanny Lemmon. The home of our subject and his estimable wife has been brightened by the birth of five children, four sons and one daughter, namely: Fanny, wife of William Dewitt; Benjamin; Johannes, Jacob and Martin. Mr. and Mrs. Weersing are valued members of the Reformed Church and are active in good work. Politically, our subject is a Republican, deeply interested in the management of both local and national affairs, and, a good citizen, is ever ready to do his full share in all matters of mutual welfare. Financially prospered, Mr. Weersing owns seventy-two acres of valuable land, highly cultivated and improved with substantial and commodious buildings, the farm presenting a thrifty and prosperous appearance.

Portrait & Biographical Record of Muskegon & Ottawa Counties, Michigan 1893, Chicago: Biographical Publishing Company

Transcriber: Charles Armstrong
Created: 6 May 2003
URL: Biographies