Cornelius VanDoorne

Cornelius VanDoorne, a highly-esteemed citizen and representative generalagriculturist residing upon a valuable homestead in Grand Have Township, OttawaCounty, has for many years been identified with the growth and advancement ofhis neighborhood, and is widely known as a man of sterling integrity ofcharacter. His parents came to this county with their family in 1851, and,locating at Grand Island, near Niagara Falls, for three years lived in thatbeautiful region of the Empire State. Deciding that the West offered greateropportunities, the father, Martinus VanDoorne, brought the family to GrandHaven, Michigan and remained there about six months. He then located about fourmiles south of Grand Haven, upon a fam which he had previously purchased, andwhich consisted of one hundred and twenty acres, situated in the dense woods.Hard work was required to clear the land before the soil could be brought underprofitable cultivation. The father, a man of high ability and excellentattainments, passed away in 1882, mourned by many friends.

Born in the Netherlands in 1842, our subject was but nine years of age whenhe accompanied his parents, brothers and sisters across the broad Atlantic toAmerica, and was only a trifle more than twelve years of age when he came to thefarm in the dense wood. He never went to school a day in his life, but learnedto read and write through his own unaided exertions, and is a well-informed man.In the year 1866 Cornelius VanDoorne and Miss Anneke VerWy were united inmarriage. Mrs. VanDoorne was born in the Old Country and was a mere child whenin company with the other members of the family, she embarked for America. Herparents settled on Grand Island in 1852, and two years later, in company withother emigrants from their birthplace, journeyed from New York to Grand Haven,near which city they made their permanent home. There the estimable wife of oursubject received her education in the district schools.

The union of Mr. and Mrs. VanDoorne resulted in the birth of fifteenchildren, ten of whom are now living: Martinus C., Cornelius J., Marines S. S.,John C., Anneke C., Dirk, Margje, Cornelis, Annas and Peter. The children areunmarried and all reside with their parents with the exception of Martinus andMarines. Of the eighty acres comprising the valuable homestead owned by oursubject, forty-five are now under a high state of cultivation and annually yieldan abundant harvest of rye, potatoes and corn, and a large variety of fruits.The farm is improved with a substantial dwelling and commodious barns and sheds,and is the abode of thrift and plenty. Mr. VanDoorne and his family commune withthe First Dutch Reformed Church. Politically connected with the People’sParty, he is well posted concerning the current topics of the day, and has for anumber of years efficiently served as Highway Commissioner of Grand HavenTownship.