Gerrit Zaalmink From Grandville Ave. Record – July 7, 1911, page 2 Holland – Gerrit Zaalmink, one of the pioneers of 1847, died Sunday morning from the effects of a second paralytic stroke, at his home in Graafschap. He was seventy-four years old and is survived by a widow and four daughters, Mrs. B. F. Brinkman, of Pella, IA; Mrs. Jennie Beckman of Graafschap; Mrs. J. J. Rutgers and Mrs. Fred Beuwkes of Holland. Funeral services will be held Wednesday afternoon at 2 o’clock at the Reformed church of Graafschap, of which he had been an elder for thirty years. Mr. Zaalmink was a member of the Van Raalte party which came to western Michigan sixty-four years ago and since had been identified with the growth of this community. Mr. Zaalmink was one of the leading promoters of Central Park, midway between Holland and Macatawa, and helped convert that resort into one of the most ideal summer resorts on the shores of Black lake. The deceased was an old pioneer of the district and previous to going to the place where he died, he lived here. He owned considerable real estate on the Avenue and it was his forethought and wise action that built several business blocks on the Avenue.

Transcriber: Evelyn Sawyer
Created: 7 April 2006