Biography of John Vaupell JOHN VAUPELL. The United States have given rare opportunities to men with courage, honesty of purpose, integrity and energy to achieve success. The bulk of those who have legitimately achieved fortune have been men with the above characteristics, and Mr. Vaupell is assuredly one of that stamp. He is of the people, and his success as a business and public man has come of his devotion to right and his tenacity of purpose. He is now Secretary of The Grand Haven Leather Company, and is widely known throughout the community as an energetic, honorable business man, his standing and position in both business and social circles being of the highest and most creditable character. The Grand Haven Leather Company was established in July, 1885, and has a capital of $100,000. All kinds of harness, belts and skirting for saddles are manufactured, and in quality, elegance and workmanship the goods turned out by this concernare recognized as first class. The plant is located in East Grand Haven, near the bank of Grand River, and hemlock is the kind of bark used in tanning. The company has good machinery and is well equipped in all departments of the works. From forty to fifty men are employed in the various departments, and five hundred hides are used per week, the products being shipped East, South and to Western cities. The officers of this company are: A. J. Nyland, President; George Stickney, Treasurer; and Mr. Vaupell, Secretary. These are men widely known throughout the community as energetic, honorable business men, and their standing and position in both commercial and social circles are of the highest and most creditable character. Mr. Vaupell was born in Livingston County, New York, April 12, 1852, and is the son of Herman and Cornelia (Nyhuis) Vaupell, both natives of the Netherlands. The father was a harness-maker by trade, and followed the same in New York State until 1860, when he came to Michigan and settled in Ottawa County. He died in Holland, this county, ill January, 1881, and his wife breathed her last in January, 1893. They were the parents of seven children, all of whom are now living. Until eight years of age the original of this notice remained in his native State, and then moved with his parents to Michigan, receiving his education in the district schools of Ottawa County and the High School in Holland. He then began his career as a shipping-clerk in the store of E. J. Herrington, a merchant of that place, and there had instilled into his youthful mind excellent ideas of business life. He continued to make his home in Holland, and for a time was connected with the bank, and also served as Marshal and Deputy Sheriff for four years. In the fall of 1880 he was elected Sheriff of Ottawa County on the Republican ticket with a good majority. So satisfactorily and efficiently did he discharge the duties incumbent upon that position that he was re-elected in 1882. At the close of his last term of office he was made Secretary of the Grand Haven Leather Company of which he was one of the principal organizers and now owns a large part of the stock. Mr. Vaupell was married in 1877 to Miss Hattie E. Kellogg, of Grand Rapids, Michigan, but she died fifteen months later, leaving one child. In 1880 he married Miss Josephine Bicknell, of Malone, N. Y. daughter of Leonard Bicknell, and two children have blessed this union: Leonard J. and Helen K. In politics, Mr. Vaupell is an ardent supporter of Republican principles. He has a handsome residence on Franklin Street and is
Portrait & Biographical record pgs. 305-306
Submitted by Janet Brosius & Bill Moore
Created: 31 July 2002
URL: Biographies