Henry John Bolt, who is now living retired in Grand Haven, well deservesrepresentation in this volume, for he is widely known among the citizens ofOttawa County and his life record will be received with interest by many of ourreaders. He was born in Holland in 1823, and his father, who was also a nativeof the same country, crossed the Atlantic to America and took up his residencein Zeeland, Ottawa County, where he spent the remainder of his life. Byoccupation he was a farmer.

Our subject acquired such educational advantages as the schools of his nativeland afforded. The days of his boyhood and youth were spent under the parentalroof, and he early became familiar with the duties of farm life, aiding hisfather in the development of a farm until 1847, when he came to America. He wasthen a young man of twenty-three years. Landing in New York, he made his way atonce to Grand Haven, Mich., and became the first settler of this city fromHolland. Here he engaged in the milling business for two years, and was thenvariously employed for a number of years. He had no capital at the time of hisarrival and had to depend upon his own resources for a livelihood. After a timehe began devoting his energies to farming and fruit-growing, and thus passed histime for several years. He was quite successful in that line, and as hisfinancial resources were increased he began making judicious investments in realestate and dealt in town property. This proved a profitable investment and hasyielded to him a good income.

In the year 1852 Mr. Bolt was married, the lady of his choice being MissCornelia Elfers, a native of the Netherlands. Their union was celebrated inGrand Haven, and unto them was born a family of eight children: Hannah, now thewife of John Kolboord, a resident of Battle Creek, Mich.; Alice, at home;Jennie, the wife of John Boer; Henry, now deceased; Cornelia, who died at theage of six months; Henry J.; and Albert, who is engaged in merchandising inGrand Haven. The mother of this family was called to her final rest in 1892, andmany friends mourned her loss.

Mr. Bolt is a member of the Second Reformed Church. In politics he is apronounced Republican, warmly advocating the principles of the party with whichhe has long been identified. He was elected Street Commissioner of Grand Haven,and so acceptably did he fill the office that he was re-elected again and againuntil he had served in that position for ten years. He has always taken anactive interest in school affairs, and the cause of education finds in him awarm friend. In fact, no worthy public enterprise seeks his aid in vain, hebeing ever ready to give his support and cooperation to those interests whichare calculated to prove of public benefit. By his own well-directed efforts, andthrough the legitimate channels of business, he has achieved a success andacquired a competency which now enable him to lay aside all care and liveretired in the enjoyment of the fruits of his former toil.