Holland City News, April 4, 1927

At 1:45 this afternoon, Justice G. Van Schelven, one of Holland’s best known citizens for many years, passed away at his home, corner 13^th Street and River Avenue, after an illness of only about two days. Mr. Van Schelven, who was an active justice of the peace, was in his office last Friday and conducted the business of his office as usual. He was as youthful in spirit as he had always been: cheerful and full of fun, as was his habit, taking a deep interest in the affairs of his office and of the city. For several years he had been suffering with heart trouble and on Saturday he was forced to take to his bed with a severe attack. Several times before he had suffered an attack of this kind, but each time he had rallied and it was hoped that this time he would get the better of his disease as before. But the end came Monday afternoon.

Mr. Van Schelven has been identified with Holland almost since the very beginning of the city’s history. As a young man he was prominent in the community’s affairs. When the Civil War broke out, he enlisted in Company I, 25^th Michigan Infantry, and marched off with the soldiers from this section of the state. He served to the end of the war. He took part in many important battles and was better informed on Holland’s share in the war than perhaps any other person. After the close of the war, he took an active part in the organization of the A. C. Van Raalte Post, G. A. R. He served that post in many capacities, being its head at various times. He was a member of the post continuously since it was organized until the day of his death. He frequently represented the post in the state encampments and he was an authority on military history. As the veterans died one by one, it was usually Mr. Van Schelven who had their records at his fingers’ ends.

Professionally Mr. Van Schelven held many positions. He served as editor of several newspapers. He was connected with "De Hollander," now extinct, "De Grondwet," "De Hope," church publication, the "Holland City News," and for many years was the most prominent journalist in Holland. He probably knew more about Holland’s history than any other man in the community.

He was the author of a history of the Hollanders of Western Michigan before their coming to this country under the title, "What Brought You Here?", narrating the story of the departure from the Netherlands and the causes that led to the emigration. He was also, during a large part of his life, a voluminous writer on themes connected with the community’s history. All his life he was a careful collector of materials connected with Holland’s past and he had at his home a mass of material that is of great value, many documents being the only ones of their kind.

Mr. Van Schelvan served as postmaster of Holland for many years, serving until nearly the end of the first administration of President Wilson when the office went to a Democrat in regular order. During his administration, the present post office was erected.

Since retiring from that position he has served as justice of the peace. This is an office that he occupied for many years. He was also interested in county affairs and at the time of his death was an active member of the Board of County Commissioners of the Poor. He held various other positions in county and city government and many years ago he was a clerk of the State Legislature. He was for many years treasurer of Hope Church and was prominent in many lines of endeavor in his city, county and state.

At the time of his death he was a member of the Park Board, the Harbor Board and superintendent of the Pilgrim Home Cemetery.

Mr. Van Schelven was 84 years old. He is survived by his wife and three children: Thomas of Cedar Springs, Mrs. Tillie Parrant of Illinois and Louis of Holland.

Voted Two Hours Before His Death

At 12 o’clock Monday noon, less than two hours before his death, G. Van Schelven voted in the city and state elections. All his life a Republican, Mr. Van Schelven expressed his wish to cast his vote in this election as usual. An election inspector visited his bedside, as provided for by law in such cases, and Mr. Van Schelven cast his ballot for the last time.