ALBERT C. NORTHOUSE Albert C. Northouse, a leading general agriculturist, and for over a score of years an extensive bee-keeper of Ottawa County, making a home on a finely cultivated farm near Grand Haven, has been crop correspondent for his township for many years, and also had held with ability various important local offices. The father of our subject, Cornelius Northouse, was born in Holland, and attained to manhood in his native land, gained an excellent education in the public schools of his birthplace. At the age of about thirty he determined to emigrate to the new world beyond the sea, and sailing for America landed safe and sound in the United States. Journeying at once Westward, the father went to Kalamazoo, Mich., and for two years resided in that locality. Later he removed to Ottawa County and purchased a farm one and a-half miles from Grand Haven. He then entered with energy upon the cultivation of the fertile soil of the Wolverine State, and was prospered. The original homestead which he bought contained only eighty acres, but to that purchase he soon added forty acres of fine timber-land, which, like his first eighty, he cleared and improved with good fencing and commodious buildings. Born in 1812, the father survived to pass the allotted three-score years and ten, and after an honorable career entered into rest in 1884, forty two years after his arrival in America. The mother of our subject, Effie Vanmaren, was born in Europe, and crossed the ocean with her parents in 1842, locating in Grand Haven, where she was married. She passed away in 1879, and in 1880 the father a second time wedded, marrying Mrs. Kate Danhaff, now residing in Grand Rapids. The six children who blessed the union of the father and mother were: Albert, Peter, Nancy, Nellie, Cornelius and Chrissie. Our subject, Albert C., was born in 1853 upon the old homestead in Ottawa County, and attained to manhood upon the farm. He was educated in the schools of the district, and, early trained in the round of agricultural pursuits, grew up a thoroughly practical farmer, well versed in every duty of farming life. He now owns sixty-five acres, thirty acres being a part of the old homestead. Raising year after year the usual farming products, our subject also cultivates a variety of fruit with success, and for twenty years has prosperously handled bees, now owning one of the finest apiaries in this part of the country. Albert C. Northouse and Miss Etta J. Wilcox, a native of Allegan County, Mich., and a lady of worth and accomplishments, were united in marriage August 21, 1888. Two children, Alfred and Pearl, have with their bright presence cheered the pleasant home of our subject and his estimable wife. Mrs. Northouse is a member of the Comgregational Church in Grand Haven, and is a ready aid in good work. The parents of Mrs. Northouse, Samuel J. and Harriet (Scofield) Wilcox, were natives of New York and early settlers of Ottawa County, Mich. They had seven children, three sons and four daughters: Alfred J., Cynthia, Ella Jane, Arthur, Ada (deceased) Merret J. and Hattie Belle. Our subject is identified with the democratic party, and has held with efficiency for about ten years the office of Justice of the Peace , and by his legal decisions has given universal satisfaction to his friends and neighbors. For one year Township Clerk and a twelvemonth Township Treasurer, Mr. Northouse gave to the demands of public work faithful service, and as a member of the School Board for eight years has materially aided in the educational advancement of his home district and has won the confidence of a host of acquaintances, by whom he is esteemed as a friend, neighbor and liberal-spirited citizen.

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

Transcriber: Charles Armstrong
Created: 6 May 2003
URL: Biographies