Biography of Cornelius Bos Cornelius Bos, who is extensively engaged in growing celery in Grand Haven,Ottawa County, claims Holland as the land of his nativity, his birth havingoccurred in the province of Jerome, February 3, 1811. His father, John Bos, diedin Holland (Netherlands), and the mother, who bore the maiden anem of KnelskaDeint Hanns, also spent her entire life in that country. No event of special importance occurred during the childhood and youth of oursubject, which were quietly passed in his native land midst play and work. Hisschool privileges were such as were furnished free by the Government. Heremained in Holland until twenty-four years of age, when, having heard excellentreports of America and the advantages and privileges it affords, he resolved totry his fortune in the New World. Crossing the briny deep, he landed in New YorkCity, but did not tarry long in the East, coming at once to Ottawa County,Mich., where he began working in a sawmill on the Grand River. Two years later,in 1867, he came to Grand Haven and opened a meat-market, which he carried onfor twenty years. He met with success in that undertaking. It was not longbefore he had built up a good trade, which constantly increased until hereceived a most liberal patronage, and in consequence reaped a good income. Atlength he sold out, desiring to give his attention to other pursuits. In 1885 Mrs. Bos began raising celery and has since continued in thatindustry. Having bought a tract of twenty-two acres of land, he planted thirteenacres of this with a good grade of celery. He raises the "white plume"variety, which is of a very superior quality, and does an extensive celerybusiness, making large shipments to Chicago by boat. He washes and markets fromseven hundred to one thousand dozen stalks per day, and has a large trade in thehome as well as the foreign market. He now gives his entire time and attentionto this business, which is to him a profitable and paying one. He has made largeinvestments in real estate and owns a number of residences and other townproperty. On the 12th of November, 1873, Mr. Bos was united in marriage withMiss Maria VanDoorne, of Grand Haven Township, and their union has been blessedwith six children as follows: Cornelia, Maria, Jennie, Martha, Henrietta andMortimer. The family circle yet remains unbroken and all are yet under theparental roof. The parents are members of the Christian Reformed Church. Theirhome is the abode of hospitality, and in the community where they live they havemany friends. Mr. Bos is a Republican in politics, and was honored with anelection to the office of Alderman of the Third Ward, which position he filledtwo years. He is a man of excellent business ability, and his success in life isdue to his able management, perseverance and enterprise. His example in thisdirection is one well worthy of emulation. Portrait & Biographical Record of Muskegon & OttawaCounties, Michigan 1893, Chicago: Biographical Publishing Company Pg. 572,573