Jilte Zaagman

Jilte Zaagman, undertaker and embalmer, at No. 269 Central avenue, Grand Rapids, was born in Holland, June 1, 1861, and is a son of William and Jocmina Zaagman, who had born to them four children, viz: John, Jilte, Lizzie and Aggie, all residents of Grand Rapids. The father was a farmer in the old country and brought his wife and John to Grand Rapids in the year 1889, engaged here in milk trade, and passed from earth in 1895; his widow is still a resident of this city. Aggie came to America in 1887, and Lizzie in 1888.

Jilte Zaagman, who had been reared a farmer, came to America in 1882, having preceded his parents and brother John seven years. As he has had to work from childhood, his early education was but meager, and after coming to the United States he improved it somewhat by attending night school, but it is chiefly derived from self instruction, observation and business experience, and is of the most practical character. He was industrious and thrifty when young, and in 1889 had saved sufficient cash to purchase the small stock still left in the hands of a retiring undertaker, and by persistent attention to his affairs has since built up a business that compares favorably with any of the same character in the city.

September 9, 1883, Jilte Zaagman was united in marriage, in Grand Rapids, with Miss Jennie Kregel, who was born here February 7, 1857. To the happy marriage of Mr. and Mrs. Zaagman have been born eight children, viz: Willie, who died in infancy; Willie (2), who died at the age of two months and two days; Willie (3), who died when four months and five days old; Jennie, who died at age of two years and twenty two days; Jennie (2), Wilhelmins, Willie (4) and John, all at home and still small. Mr. and Mrs. Zaagman are members of the Holland Reformed church, and are greatly respected by all their neighbors and their many warm friends. Mr. Zaagman thoroughly understands the art of embalming and is master of all the details of the undertaking business, the consequence being that his service are almost in constant demand.