Van Zwol, Jacob

VANZWOL, BRONS, HINKSEN

Posted By: Debbie Clough Gerischer, volunteer (email)
Date: 2/6/2010 at 11:14:57

A Narrative History
of
The People of Iowa
with
SPECIAL TREATMENT OF THEIR CHIEF ENTERPRISES IN
EDUCATION, RELIGION, VALOR, INDUSTRY,
BUSINESS, ETC.
by
EDGAR RUBEY HARLAN, LL. B., A. M.
Curator of the
Historical, Memorial and Art Department of Iowa
Volume IV
THE AMERICAN HISTORICAL SOCIETY, Inc.
Chicago and New York
1931

JACOB VAN ZWOL. Perhaps in no avenue of life's activities do men become
so widely known as in the field of journalism, not always as personalities
but as influences, their printed thoughts reaching the multitudes while
their spoken once could be heard probably only by a score. Hence the
responsibility of the journalist is of exceeding weight, and there have been times
when a newspaper has force reformatory legislation and even changed public
policy and politics. This influence, perhaps, is felt just as keenly in the
smaller communities as it is in the big centers of population, and it is in
this connection that more than passing mention is due Jacob Van Zwol, who,
like many of his contemporary journalists, graduated from the humble
position of printer's "devil" to the ownership of a modern weekly newspaper, the
Paullino Times, a publication which has a large circulation in O'Brien
County.

Mr. Van Zwol was born at Le Mars, the county seat of Plymouth County,
Iowa, in 1893, and is a son of Albert and Henrietta (Brons) Van Zwol, natives of
the Netherlands. His parents were reared and educated in their native
land, and not long after their marriage immigrated to the United States,
eventually settling at Le Mars, where the father was for many years engaged in
milling. He is now one of the substantial retired citizens of Sheldon,
this state, where he is held in high esteem by his fellow-townsmen. He and
his wife are consistent members of the Christian Reformed Church, and Mr. Van
Zwol has always been a supporter of the Republican party, although never a
seeker after public office.

Jacob Van Zwol attended the public schools of Le Mars, where he obtained
the rudiments of a sound educational training, but at the age of twelve
years found it necessary to seek employment in order to assist in the support of
the family, and accordingly became printer's "devil" in the office of the
Le Mars Sentinel.

This he found congenial work, and while engaged in his multitudinous
humble tasks found time to pick up the art of setting type at the case,
eventually becoming a journeyman printer. He was thus employed at Le Mars and
Sheldon, Iowa, and when he had saved sufficient means took over the Boyden
(Iowa) Reporter, of which he was the proprietor for twelve years. Selling out
his interests, in March, 1928, Mr. Van Zwol purchased the Paullina Times,
at Paullina, O'Brien County, of which he has since been the owner, editor
and publisher. Through industry, good judgment and real journalistic ability
he has made this one of the leading country newspapers of the county, and
now has a substantial circulation and good advertising support. Mr. Van
Zwol issues a clean, reliable, well-edited and well-printed weekly, and
furnishes to his readers the latest national and state news, local happenings
and brevities, timely editorials, features, etc., and his subscription list
has shown a gratifyingly consistent gain. He has a modernly-equipped plant
on Main Street, where he also has all of the appliances and appurtenances
necessary for the accomplishment of high-grade job work, of which he gets a
full share from the merchants of this thriving and progressive little city.
He has at all times kept his columns open to articles supporting
movements for the development of the community, county and state, and as a man of
foresight and enlightened views his editorial opinions carry much weight.
Mr. Van Zwol has not sought public office of any kind, but is a supporter of
the Republican party personally, although he endeavors not to allow any
personal feeling to enter into the presentation of matter effecting political
questions. He is a Presbyterian in his religious faith and a supporter of
the movements and charities of that demonination at Palullina.

Mr. Van Zwol married Miss Mabel Hinksen, a native of Stuart, Iowa, and a
member of the Polly Welton Chapter, D. A. R., and active in various local
organizations. They are the parents of two daughters: Elizabeth Helen, born
June 17, 1915, is in the class of 1932 at Paullina High School, and Eunice
Margaret, born November 28, 1918, is a member of the class of 1934 at
Paullina High School.

~Typed and submitted by volunteer, Debbie Clough Gerischer