Biography of Jacob Baar Jacob Baar. It is impossible to place too light an estimate on the importanceof the real-estate business in comparison with the various other elements ofcommercial and financial value; certainly none other rests upon a moreconservative and highly honorable basis as regards methods and transactions.There are numerous persons who pursue the occupation of real-estate agents withcredit and success, and earn a well-merited reputation for the conscientious andefficient manner with which they conduct affairs intrusted to their charge.Among those of this class may be mentioned Jacob Baar, who is well known inGrand Haven, for he has resided here many years and has ever been identifiedwith the improvement and upbuilding of the city. He is now engaged in thereal-estate and loan business, and by his straight forward manner of conductingaffairs commands the respect of all. Mr. Baar was born in the village of GrandHaven, May 16, 1859, to the union of Simon and Helena (Yonker) Baar, bothnatives of the Netherlands. In 1854 the parents emigrated to the United Stateswith the hope of making a home for themselves in "the land of the free andthe home of the brave". They first settled in Chicago, but moved from thereto Kalamazoo, and in ??1857?? came to Grand Haven, Mich., where they have sinceresided. Our subject, the third in order of birth of four children, reachedmature years in Grand Haven and secured a good practical education in theschools of the same. He began clerking in the hardware store of G. W. Miller,and continued in that gentleman’s employ for five years, accumulatingconsiderable means in the mean time. After that he was in the employ of GeorgeE. Hubbard, hardware dealer, until 1880, when he was elected to the office ofRegistrar of Deeds of Ottawa County, filling that positions in a capable andefficient manner for two years. So satisfactorily did he discharge the duties ofthat office that in 1882 he was re-elected, and filled that position for twoyears longer. After leaving the office he embarked in the real-estate business,to which up to the present he has devoted most of his time and attention. Incommercial circles he enjoys the highest confidence and is recognized as anhonorable, reliable business man, and as a liberal and public-spirited citizencommands the respect of all. In the month of September, 1878, our subject wasmarried to Miss Hattie Slaghuis, of Grand Haven, Mich., daughter of AbramSlaghuis, who fought for the Old Flag during the Rebellion. To Mr. and Mrs. Baarhave been born four children, three daughters and a son. He and his wife holdmembership in the Reformed Church, and for three terms he was Director in hisschool district. He has a very pleasant home in Grand Haven, a neat, tastyresidence and a large lawn ornamented with huge maple trees and choiceshrubbery. Mr. Baar is a descendant of an old and prominent family and is anhonor to his name. He is active in his support of matters of public importance,and takes a deep interest in the success of the Democratic party, with which hehas long been identified. Portrait & Biographical Record of Muskegon & OttawaCounties, Michigan 1893, Chicago: Biographical Publishing Company Pg. 288,291
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