Grand Haven Daily Tribune

02 June 1914, p. 2

PIONEER PASSES AWAY ENDS YEARS OF LABOR

One of County’s Best Known residents; Funeral Tuesday In Zeeland.

The funeral at Zeeland Tuesday afternoon of John Henry Boone, marks the passing of one of Ottawa county’s best known pioneers, a man who had been active in promoting the welfare of the immediate community for almost a half century.

Mr. Boone was born, in Ommen, province of Overisel, Netherlands in 1837 and came with his parents to Michigan in 1847. Early he learned the lesson of self dependence and as a young man worked on a farm near Plainwell for nine 6years. He helped to build the old Plank road and was one of the first to drive the stage coach into Grand Rapids. He was married to Gertrude Vander Hosch and the young couple, like others who were the first to settle the virgin soil of Ottawa county, began their wedded life in a log cabin which stood in the center of 80 acres of unpromising looking land, in Holland township. Industry and thrift brought a transformation in the farm within a few years and with it came substantial reward. Twenty years ago, Mr. and Mrs.. Boone moved to Zeeland, building a modern and comfortable home were Mr. Boone died on Friday.

Mr. Boone was a member of the First Reformed church of Zeeland for fifty years and for fourteen years served as deacon. He was one of the organizers of the South Ottawa and West Allegan Fair association and was a director of the association.