Joost Kooiman Portrait and Biographical Record, Pages 549, 560 JOOST KOOIMAN, who is now living a retired life in Grand Haven, is one of the worthy and esteemed citizens that Holland has furnished to Ottawa County. He was born in the Netherlands on the 17th of January, 1834, and is a son of Albert and Elizabeth (Van Der Meigen) Kooiman. His parents were also natives of Holland. Leaving their native land they emigrated to America and took up their residence in Michigan, where their last days were passed. Our subject spent the days of his childhood and youth in the Old Country midst play and work, no event of special importance occurring during his early years. He was a young man of twenty-one when he decided to leave his home and seek a fortune in the New World, of whose advantages and privileges he had heard such excellent accounts. Bidding good-bye to the friends of his youth and to the land of his birth, he in 1855 shipped as second cook on a vessel which landed him in New York City. He went from there to Buffalo, N.Y., and thence to Grand Haven, Mich., where he located. Mr. Kooiman here began working on the docks as a laborer, and was thus employed for several years. During that time he lived in an economical and frugal manner, and invested his savings in real estate. From time to time he has made judicious investments in such property, and as the land has risen in value as the population has increased, Mr. Kooiman now owns extensive landed interests. On the 21st of August, 1860, our subject was united in marriage with Miss Antoine Dunker, a native of Holland. By their union has been born a family of six children, who are as follows: Otto, a farmer of Ottawa County; John, Elizabeth; Annie, wife of John Juisteman, of Grand Haven; Peter, who is now twenty-three years of age; and Laura, who completes the family. Mrs. Kooiman is a member of the First Reformed Church. In his political affiliations, Mr. Kooiman is a Democrat, but the honors or emoluments of public office have no attraction for him. The wisdom and foresight of our subject in business matters have been shown by the success which has attended his ventures. He believed that it would be a profitable investment to put his money in real estate, and the years have borne out this opinion. As the county has become more thickly populated and the work of progress and civilization has been carried forward, our subject has reaped a harvest from his possessions, for the land has greatly increased in value. He still owns some fine lots and residence property, which yields to him a good income. He may truly be called a self-made man, for his success is due entirely to his own efforts.

Portrait & Biographical Record of Muskegon & Ottawa Counties, Michigan 1893, Chicago: Biographical Publishing Company 

Transcriber: Susan Gates Davis
Created: 13 May 2003
URL: Return to Bios Index