Holland City News, Thursday, March 21, 1907

One more of the G. A. R. boys have passed away. John F. Van Anrooy, one of the genial old "vets", is no more. He died after a lingering illness of several years, at his home on West Twelfth Street, Saturday morning.

He was born in Amsterdam, the Netherlands, November 30, 1835, and came with his parents to this country when 11 years of age. The family located in Holland, which was founded about that time by Dr. A. C. Van Raalte. Mr. Van Anrooy never forgot the events of their arrival at the mouth of Black Lake one Sunday evening, and how the next day they came up the lake on a scow.

On February 7, 1861, Mr. Van Anrooy was united in marriage to Miss Louisa C. Finch, who with one son, Wm. Van Anrooy, survives him. It was shortly after his marriage that Mr. Van Anrooy enlisted in the army, and was absent for three years. The date of his enlistment was September 11, 1861, and he received his discharge at Nashville, Tenn., October 23, 1864. He was a member of Co. D, 2^nd Michigan Cavalry.

Deceased was a carpenter by trade, and it was shortly before his marriage that he built a small house on the site of the family home on West Twelfth Street. The structure is now a part of the present residenc, and the builder lived there during his entire life.

He was employed as a bridge carpenter and foreman for the Chicago and West Michigan Railway, for seven years.

Deceased has been ill for a long time, suffering from dropsy and the ailments of old age, having passed his 71^st birthday last November.

Mr. Van Anrooy was a member of the Unity Lodge, F. & A. M., and of the local G. A. R. Post.

Two sisters of the deceased survive: Mrs. Peter Zalsman of this city, and Mrs. Jas. Vandersluis of Grand Rapids.

The funeral was held Monday at 2 o’clock from the home, Rev. J. M. Vander Meulen officiating. The service was held under the auspices of the Unity Lodge, F. & A. M. and the G. A. R., which attended in a body. The honorary pallbearers were: J. Zwemer, John Kramer, Peter De Feyter, George Nash, Louis De Kraker, and B. Van Raalte, Sr.

(Mr. Van Anrooy is buried in Pilgrim Home Cemetery.)