ALBERTUS G. VAN HEES Albertus G. Van Hees, a successful farmer and stock-raiser of Zeeland Township, Ottawa County, was born was born in the city of Rotterdam, Holland, April 16, 1838, and is the son of Johannes G. and Neeltje (DeVries) Van Hees. His paternal grandfather, Albert Van Hees, served in the army under the famous Napoleon in 1805, and upon retiring to civic life engaged in business as a paper manufacturer. His death occurred at the age of forty-five years. He was survived for many years by his wife, Anna who passed from earth in 1851, at the age of eighty-three. She left two children, Johannes G. and Jansje. The father of our subject was born in Gelderland, Holland, in the city of Arnhein. At the age of sixteen years he removed to Rotterdam, where he married Miss Neeltje DeVries and resided nineteen years. Thence, in company with a colony of fifteen hundred of his compatriots, he came to America. Leaving Holland on the 16th of August, 1847, he landed at Sag Harbor, Long Island, on the 20th of October 1847. His destination was Pella, Iowa, which had been founded by Rev. H. P. Scholte. He arrived at Chicago November 18, 1847, and, as the season was then far advanced, he remained in that city during the winter. Early in 1848 he started on foot with Jacob Bogards for the Dutch settlements of Michigan, spending two weeks en route. Abandoning his Pella scheme, he located in Zeeland, where he arrived on the 16th of August, 1848, accompany by his wife, son and father-in-law, the latter eighty years of age. At once after settling in Zeeland, Johannes G. Van Hees became a leader in the colony, both in political and church circles. He served as Supervisor of the township for twenty-two years and five months, and also served in other important positions. A man of noble powers, great ability, sound common-sense and unusual memory, he was fitted for the prominent position he occupied. He followed the other leaders of his people, Scholte, Van Raalte, C. Van Der Meulen, and others, and left the State church and his Fatherland for a free land and a free church. Prior to 1864 he was a Democrat, but afterward affiliated with the Republicans. Possessing the most scrupulous ides of honor and right, he would not tolerate the least dishonesty in others. A friend to the public School system, Mr. Van He served as a member of the School Board until 1883, when advancing years and enfeebling powers induced him to resign. Respected and honored in life, he was mourned when he died suddenly on the 13th of September, 1891. For many years prior to his decease he made his home on section 19, where he had originally owned forty acres and later was the owner of one hundred acres. A ruling Elder in the church, he was prominent in religious affairs, and was a generous contributor to the cause of Christianity. His wife, who was born April 23, 1803, passed from earth August 13, 1874, at the age of seventy-one. She was a daughter of Gerret DeVrees, a native of Rotterdam, Holland, and a grocer and mason by trade. After his wife’s death, he came with his daughter to America, in 1847, and died in the spring of 1849, at the age of eighty-three. The subject of this sketch was reared on a farm and received a liberal education, both in Dutch and English. He made his home with his father until the demise of the latter, and still occupies the old homestead of one hundred acres, where he tills the soil and engages in raising Shopshire sheep and other stock. A democrat prior to 1860, he has since that time been a Republican and has been elected upon his party ticked to numerous positions of trust. He has frequently served as delegate to State conventions, has been Notary Public for twelve years, and is now Justice of the Peace. A member of the Reformed Church, he has been a Deacon for fourteen years, and since 1890 has served as Elder. May 26, 1856, Mr. Van Hees married Francina, daughter of Arie and Jannetje (DeHaan) Van Bree, and a native of South Holland. Mr. Van Bree was a butcher in the Old Country, and served in the Belgian War in 1832. After coming to the United States in 1849, he followed the trade of a butcher for a few years, also engaging in business as a shoemaker. He died in Zeeland, December 7, 1891, at an advanced age, having been born March 13, 1811. His first wife, who was born in 1791, died in July, 1875. Mr. and Mrs. Van Hees were the parents of fourteen children, only five of whom survive: John G., of Big Rapids, who is married and has two children, Frances E, and Vera M.; Arie; Nellie, the wife of Dick Pyl, and the mother one child, Frances; Albert G. and Anna F., residing at home. Frank died at the age of two years, and Jane F. passed away when a girl of fourteen.

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

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