Rokus Kanters – editor. The man who edits the Weekly Journal must be thoroughly posted, wide-awake, and must understand the wants of his patrons to be successful, and that Rokus Kanters possesses these essential requirements cannot be doubted, for his paper, the De Hope, has a large circulation, and as it is published in the Dutch language, has an extensive patronage among the people of Ottawa County. Mr. Kanters was born at Goedereede, an island in the North Sea, between Brouwershaven and the new waterway to Rotterdam, Holland, January 5, 1826. His grandfather, father and three brothers followed the profession of hydraulic engineering, after the method especially adopted and practiced in the kingdom of Holland for the construction of harbors, break-waters, dikes, cribs, levees, etc., and their services were often required in the construction of coast defenses and harbor works b the Dutch Government.

From the time Rokus Kanters was thirteen years of age until he was sixteen years old he assisted his father in numerous surveys along the coast, and was thoroughly instructed in all the details of coast and harbor works during the summer months. His winters were spent in attending school, but after his sixteenth year his entire time was devoted to harbor and coast construction, and when eighteen years old he was sufficiently well versed to superintend the construction of several minor works. When twenty years old he was placed in charge of some important shore construction on the island of Tien Gemeeten, and it was successfully carried on according to plans furnished by the Government engineers. In 1849 his parents, who by frugality and industry had become well-to-do, caught the Western fever, and accordingly sailed for America, but at that time Rokus Kanters was not inclined to leave his native country, and decided to remain and succeed to his father’s former position, and in the fall of 1848 he received his first contract, a work that involved thirty thousand guilders and was of a very important nature. Until 1862 he pursued this work along the coast of southern Holland and Zeeland, his work being always admirably done and showing an excellent knowledge of engineering. In 1862 he complied with the entreaties of his parents and came to America, but up to the present time has not entirely given up his old profession, but, on the contrary, has constructed several important works for the United States Government at Black Lake, Mich., Chicago, Ill.; on the Brazos River at Velasco, Tex.; Buffalo, N.Y.; the Lehigh Valley Railroad; Prospect Park; Coney Island, N.Y.; and elsewhere. Not only have he and his sons made this branch of engineering their study and business for years, but it may be truly said that there is no firm in the United States with a more thoroughly practical knowledge of their business than that of R. Kanters & Sons.

During his residence in Holland, Mich., Mr. Kanters has become very favorably known as a useful, patriotic and God-fearing man. He has been an Alderman of the city for two terms, and also Mayor for one term. He is an active member of the Reformed Church, and has always taken a deep interest in promoting its interests and growth. He has always manifested a great interest in the success of Hope College, of Holland, Mich., and the cause of education has always found in him a stanch supporter. He is blessed with a highly accomplished family, consisting of his wife, five sons (all men of culture and practical intelligence) and two daughters. He has ever been a shrewd and far-seeing man of business, keenly alive to his own interests, but never at the expense of others or of his own ideas of right and justice. He has numerous friends in his native land, and the circle of his friendship here is wide and constantly on the increase.