K. VAN STIGT

One of "Old Guard" who took a leading part in the educational and religious life
of the community. Was born on the 8th of August, 1837, in Westmaas, South
Holland, and lived there until ten years of age, attending school some five
years.

In 1847 he came to America with his parents in the first Holland colony. They
resided in St. Louis nine months and then came to Pella. His father started a
shoe shop and Kommer attended school here. At the age of twelve he commenced to
learn the shoemaker's trade and worked at it ten years and then entered into
partnership with his father. They dealt in boots and shoes, leather, findings,
etc. This partnership lasted until January, 1865, when his father was called to
his final rest, and Kommer conducted the business in his own name until June of
the same year. His brother, A. Van Stigt, then purchased an interest. On the Ist
of February, 1878, Kommer opened a boot and shoe store and in October, 1880, he
retired from the partnership with his brother, and gave his entire attention to
his own store. He married Miss Johanna de Zeeuw, a native of Holland, born on
the 19th of May, 1837. Their marriage occurred on the 23d of September, 1859. By
this union there were five children: Cornelius, Anna, Jane, Christena and Sarah.
Lost two. They were members of the First Reformed Church, in which Mr. Van Stigt
long held the office of deacon and superintendent of the Sunday School, and up
to the day of his death took a leading part in all the activities of the church.
He held the office of alderman of the third ward for a number of years. As the
author of a history of Pella and vicinity, published in the Holland language, in
1897, Mr. Van Stigt performed invaluable service to the community. This is the
only complete history of the colonization movement and the early life and
development of the Holland colony.

A. H. VIERSEN   MRS. A. H. VIERSEN

A. H. VIERsEN

Was born in the Netherlands March 26, 1831, and lived there until 1847, when he
came to America with his parents, and settled on a farm near Pella, the Viersen
family being among the original colonists. He had a mercantile experience of
twenty years. In 1858 he was elected city treasurer at the time that Isaac
Overkamp was mayor. From 1861 until 1862 he was county treasurer and recorder.
He also held the offices of city clerk, township clerk and was a member