J. H. H. VAN SPANCKEREN

Was born in the Netherlands and came to Pella in the early days. He was
prominently connected with the early business development of Pella, and for a
number of years engaged in the merchant tailor business. He was a man of
sterling character and enjoyed the respect and confidence of his fellow citizens
to the day of his death.

J. H. H. VAN SPANCKEItEN A. G. GESMAN

The subject of this sketch was born in Rotterdam, Holland, September 8, 1810.
When a young man he served in the Cavalry of Holland through the war with
Belgium. He came to America with the first colonists in 1847, worked in St.
Louis at his trade of carpenter and builder until the spring of '49, when he
came to Pella. Here he was one of the leading contractors and builders for
years, and built many of the older residence and business buildings of Pella. He
was a member of the First Reformed Church, and during the early days an
organization of men often met at his home for the discussion of religious
subjects. The older residents of Pella remember him as a man of genial and
optimistic temper who never failed to have a pleasant word or jest with which to
greet his many friends. He died in September, 1887.


JACOB GRANDIA

Was born in Schravendalen, Province of Gelderland, Netherlands, in 1826. At the
youthful age of nineteen he emigrated to America in the spring of 1847 and was
among the very first to arrive in this community. He was a lad with ambition and
usefulness. He with Henry Hospers, assisted the surveyors in platting the town
of Pella, the name of the town meaning "The Place of Refuge" had been decided on
before they left Holland. He was united in marriage to Miss Marie Colyn,
daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Leendert Colyn. To this union were born six sons:
Jellis, Anthonie, Leonard, John, Jacob and Abraham, and three girls, Marie,
Trintje and Elizabeth. The above mentioned were intermarried into the families
of Yongewaard, Van Zee, Brant, Van Zante, Adair, Liter and Nieuwendorp,
respectively. Their descendants numbering something like one hundred and forty,
who are now residing in Marion, Mahaska and Jasper counties, some which are
residing in Minnesota. Mr. Grandia died in June, 1868.