The Political Graveyard: Christian Reformed Politicians

Christian Reformed Politicians
(Christian Reformed Church;
Reformed Church in America;
Dutch Reformed Church)

Very incomplete list!

Note: See also Presbyterian and Congregationalist, other denominations with Calvinist roots. The Evangelical and Reformed Church merged with the United Church of Christ, so its members are listed on the Congregationalist pages.

John Stothoff Badeau (1903-1995) — Born in Pittsburgh, Allegheny County, Pa., February 24, 1903. Son of Charles C. Badeau and Mary Lyles (Stothoff) Badeau; married, September 7, 1924, to Margaret Louise Hathaway (died 1991). Minister; missionary; university professor; president, American University in Cairo, 1945-53; U.S. Ambassador to United Arab Republic, 1961. Christian Reformed; later Presbyterian. Member, Sigma Xi; Tau Kappa Alpha. Died in 1995. Burial location unknown.
Bert Andrew Bandstra (1922-1995) — also known as Bert Bandstra — of Marion County, Iowa. Born in Monroe County, Iowa, January 25, 1922. Democrat. Served in the U.S. Navy during World War II; lawyer; Marion County Attorney, 1955-59; U.S. Representative from Iowa 4th District, 1965-67; defeated, 1966, 1968. Christian Reformed. Member, American Legion. Died in Pella, Marion County, Iowa, October 23, 1995. Interment at Oakwood Cemetery, Pella, Iowa.
- See also: congressional biography.
Conrad F. Becker (b. 1905) — of Red Bud, Randolph County, Ill. Born in Red Bud, Randolph County, Ill., November 11, 1905. Republican. Alternate delegate to Republican National Convention from Illinois, 1940; Illinois state treasurer, 1945-47. Christian Reformed. Member, Freemasons; Knights Templar; Shriners; Odd Fellows. Presumed deceased. Burial location unknown.
Henry Beets (b. 1869) — of Grand Rapids, Kent County, Mich. Born in Koedyk, Netherlands, January 5, 1869. Son of Jasper Beets and Margaret (Smit) Beets; married, September 11, 1895, to Clara Poel. Republican. Pastor; Dry candidate for delegate to Michigan convention to ratify 21st amendment from Kent County 1st District, 1933. Christian Reformed. Dutch ancestry. Member, Rotary. Burial location unknown.
Simon Boerum (1724-1775) — of New York. Born in Flatbush (now part of Brooklyn), Kings County, N.Y., February 29, 1724. Member of New York colonial assembly, 1761-75; Delegate to Continental Congress from New York, 1774-75. Christian Reformed. Died in New Lots (now part of Brooklyn), Kings County, N.Y., July 11, 1775. Original interment at Dutch Reformed Burying Ground (which no longer exists), Brooklyn, N.Y.; reinterment in 1848 at Green-Wood Cemetery, Brooklyn, N.Y.
- See also: congressional biography.
Andrew Bolt (1906-1971) — of Grand Rapids, Kent County, Mich. Born in Grand Rapids, Kent County, Mich., October 8, 1906. Son of Ralph D. Bolt and Anna (Klunder) Bolt. Republican. Real estate business; member of Michigan state house of representatives from Kent County 1st District, 1939-64; defeated in primary, 1964, 1966. Christian Reformed. Dutch ancestry. Member, Jaycees; Optimist Club. Died in Kalamazoo, Kalamazoo County, Mich., January 26, 1971. Burial location unknown.
Edward A. Borgman (1894-1980) — of Grand Rapids, Kent County, Mich. Born in Grand Rapids, Kent County, Mich., June 28, 1894. Married, August 12, 1920, to Josephine Scherphorn; father of Marvin Edward Borgman (medic in Red Arrow Division during World War II; killed on Leyte Island in 1944). Republican. Served in the U.S. Navy during World War I; automobile dealer; real estate broker; member of Michigan state house of representatives from Kent County 1st District, 1949-64. Christian Reformed. Died in Grand Rapids, Kent County, Mich., June 7, 1980. Burial location unknown.
Oscar E. Bouwsma (1921-1978) — of Muskegon, Muskegon County, Mich. Born in Muskegon, Muskegon County, Mich., August 15, 1921. Republican. Member of Michigan state house of representatives from Muskegon County 2nd District, 1961-64; member of Michigan state senate 33rd District, 1967-74; defeated, 1964, 1974. Christian Reformed. Member, National Rifle Association; American Legion; Veterans of Foreign Wars; Eagles. Died in Muskegon, Muskegon County, Mich., March 22, 1978. Burial location unknown.
Joseph P. Bradley (1813-1892) — Born in Berne, Albany County, N.Y., March 14, 1813. Son of Philo Bradley and Mercy (Gardiner) Bradley; married, October 23, 1844, to Mary Hornblower; grandfather of Joseph Gardner Bradley. Lawyer; Justice of U.S. Supreme Court, 1870-92; died in office 1892. Christian Reformed. Died in Washington, D.C., January 22, 1892. Interment at Mt. Pleasant Cemetery, Newark, N.J.
- See also Livingston-Lee-Clay-Williams family
- See also: federal judicial profile; Find-A-Grave page.
Clarence Edwards Case (1877-1961) — also known as Clarence E. Case — of Somerville, Somerset County, N.J. Born in Jersey City, Hudson County, N.J., September 24, 1877. Son of Philip Case and Amanda V. (Edwards) Case; married, January 29, 1913, to Anna Gist Rogers (died 1922); married, July 25, 1925, to Ruth Weldon Griggs. Republican. Lawyer; Somerset County Judge, 1910-13; member of New Jersey state senate from Somerset County, 1918-29; associate justice of New Jersey state supreme court, 1929-46, 1948-52; chief justice of New Jersey state supreme court, 1946-48. Christian Reformed. Member, American Bar Association; Freemasons; Elks; Knights of Pythias; Rotary; Delta Upsilon; Phi Beta Kappa; Phi Delta Phi. Died in 1961. Burial location unknown.
George Clinton (1739-1812) — of New York, New York County, N.Y. Born in Little Britain, Orange County, N.Y., July 26, 1739. Brother of James Clinton; uncle of De Witt Clinton and James Graham Clinton; father of George Clinton, Jr.. Delegate to Continental Congress from New York, 1775-76; Governor of New York, 1777-95, 1801-04; member of New York state assembly from New York County, 1800-01; Vice President of the United States, 1805-12; died in office 1812. Christian Reformed. Member, Freemasons. Died in Washington, D.C., April 20, 1812. Original interment at Congressional Cemetery, Washington, D.C.; reinterment in 1908 at First Dutch Reformed Church Cemetery, Kingston, N.Y. Clinton counties in N.Y. and Ohio are named for him.
- See also Clinton family of New York
- See also: congressional biography; National Governors Association biography; Wikipedia article.
- Books about George Clinton: John P. Kaminski, George Clinton : Yeoman Politician of the New Republic
Edna B. Conklin — of Hackensack, Bergen County, N.J. Born in New Jersey. Republican. Delegate to Republican National Convention from New Jersey, 1924 (alternate), 1928, 1936, 1940, 1944, 1948; member of New Jersey Republican State Committee, 1928-50; member of Republican National Committee from New Jersey, 1932-40. Female. Christian Reformed. Presumed deceased. Burial location unknown.
Johannes Cuyler (c.1661-1740) — of Albany, Albany County, N.Y. Mayor of Albany, N.Y., 1725-26. Christian Reformed. Dutch ancestry. Died in 1740. Original interment at Dutch Church Burial Ground, Albany, N.Y.; reinterment at Albany Rural Cemetery, Menands, N.Y.
Peter J. Danhof (1864-1944) — of Grand Haven, Ottawa County, Mich.; Grand Rapids, Kent County, Mich. Born in Grand Haven, Ottawa County, Mich., January 1, 1864. Son of John Danhof and Rensina Danhof; married, September 4, 1888, to Emile Walkley (c.1867-1951). Democrat. Lawyer; Ottawa County Prosecuting Attorney, 1891-92; law partner of Allen C. Adsit, 1901-12; candidate for circuit judge in Michigan 20th Circuit, 1911; superior court judge in Michigan of Grand Rapids, 1915; appointed 1915; Democratic candidate for U.S. Representative from Michigan 5th District, 1916, 1918, 1934 (primary). Christian Reformed. Dutch ancestry. Died in Grand Rapids, Kent County, Mich., January 3, 1944. Interment at Lake Forest Cemetery, Grand Haven, Mich.
Robert John Danhof (b. 1925) — also known as Robert J. Danhof — of Muskegon, Muskegon County, Mich.; East Lansing, Ingham County, Mich.; Holland, Ottawa County, Mich. Born in Grand Rapids, Kent County, Mich., August 24, 1925. Son of Nicholas J. Danhof and Joan (Buter) Danhof; married to Marguerite DenHerder. Republican. Lawyer; U.S. Attorney for the Western District of Michigan, 1960-61; delegate to Michigan state constitutional convention from 23rd Senatorial District, 1961-62; candidate for Michigan state attorney general, 1962; Judge, Michigan Court of Appeals 2nd District, 1969-; defeated, 1968; appointed 1969. Christian Reformed or Presbyterian. Member, American Bar Association; American Judicature Society; Jaycees. Still living as of 1998.
Lucas James DeKoster (1918-2000) — also known as Lucas J. DeKoster — of Hull, Sioux County, Iowa. Born in Hull, Sioux County, Iowa, June 18, 1918. Lawyer; member of Iowa state senate 1st District, 1965-83. Christian Reformed. Member, American Bar Association. Died in Hull, Sioux County, Iowa, February 23, 2000. Interment at Hope Cemetery, Hull, Iowa.
Melvin J. De Stigter (1928-2003) — of Hudsonville, Ottawa County, Mich. Born in Sioux Center, Sioux County, Iowa, November 21, 1928. Married 1950 to Carol Jean Schultze. Republican. School teacher; sales manager; member of Michigan state house of representatives 95th District, 1965-78; candidate in primary for Michigan state senate 23rd District, 1978; candidate in primary for U.S. Representative from Michigan 2nd District, 1992. Christian Reformed. Member, Jaycees. Died August 7, 2003. Interment at Georgetown Cemetery, Georgetown Township, Ottawa County, Mich.
Walter Dale DeVries (b. 1929) — also known as Walter D. DeVries — of Grand Rapids, Kent County, Mich. Born in Holland, Ottawa County, Mich., November 13, 1929. Son of Martin DeVries and Catherine (Vander Leek) DeVries; married to Lois Arlene Cook. Republican. Served in the U.S. Army during the Korean conflict; college professor; delegate to Michigan state constitutional convention from Kent County 1st District, 1961-62. Christian Reformed. Still living as of 1962.
Everett McKinley Dirksen (1896-1969) — also known as Everett M. Dirksen; "The Wizard of Ooze" — of Pekin, Tazewell County, Ill. Born in Pekin, Tazewell County, Ill., January 4, 1896. Father of Joy Dirksen (who married Howard Henry Baker, Jr.). Republican. Served in the U.S. Army during World War I; merchant; U.S. Representative from Illinois 16th District, 1933-49; delegate to Republican National Convention from Illinois, 1940 (alternate), 1948, 1952, 1956, 1960; U.S. Senator from Illinois, 1951-69; died in office 1969. Christian Reformed. Member, American Bar Association; Izaak Walton League; American Legion; Veterans of Foreign Wars; Freemasons; Shriners; Order of the Eastern Star; Eagles; Elks; Moose; Odd Fellows. Died, of lung cancer, at the Walter Reed Army Medical Center, Washington, D.C., September 7, 1969. Interment at Glendale Memorial Gardens, Pekin, Ill.
- See also Baker-Landon-Dirksen-Kassebaum family of Tennessee
- See also: congressional biography; Internet Movie Database profile.
- Books about Everett Dirksen: Byron C. Hulsey, Everett Dirksen and His Presidents: How a Senate Giant Shaped American Politics
Edwin Winfield Eden (1887-1953) — also known as Edwin W. Eden — of Highland Park, Middlesex County, N.J. Born in New Brunswick, Middlesex County, N.J., 1887. Mayor of Highland Park, N.J., 1928-30. Christian Reformed. Member, Freemasons. Died in Highland Park, Middlesex County, N.J., September 1, 1953. Interment at Elmwood Cemetery, New Brunswick, N.J.
Vernon James Ehlers (b. 1934) — also known as Vernon J. Ehlers; Vern Ehlers — of Grand Rapids, Kent County, Mich. Born in Pipestone, Pipestone County, Minn., February 6, 1934. Republican. College professor; member of Michigan state house of representatives 93rd District, 1983-85; resigned 1985; member of Michigan state senate 32nd District, 1985-93; resigned 1993; U.S. Representative from Michigan 3rd District, 1993-. Christian Reformed. Still living as of 2003.
- See also: congressional biography; votes in Congress from the Washington Post.
Charles R. Feenstra (b. 1894) — of Paris Township (now Kentwood), Kent County, Mich.; Grand Rapids, Kent County, Mich. Born in Kent County, Mich., February 11, 1894. Republican. Served in the U.S. Navy during World War I; farmer; supervisor of Paris Township, Michigan, 1928-36; member of Michigan state house of representatives from Kent County 2nd District, 1935-48; defeated in primary, 1948; member of Michigan state senate 17th District, 1951-62; defeated in primary, 1962. Christian Reformed. Dutch ancestry. Member, Farm Bureau; American Legion. Presumed deceased. Burial location unknown.
Edgar J. Fredericks (b. 1942) — also known as Ed Fredericks — of Holland, Ottawa County, Mich. Born in Holland, Ottawa County, Mich., June 27, 1942. Republican. Member of Michigan state house of representatives 54th District, 1975-78; member of Michigan state senate 23rd District, 1979-90; candidate in primary for U.S. Representative from Michigan 4th District, 1990. Christian Reformed. Still living as of 1990.
Clyde H. Geerlings (1904-1978) — of Holland, Ottawa County, Mich. Born in Holland, Ottawa County, Mich., December 12, 1904. Republican. Member of Michigan state senate 23rd District, 1951-64. Christian Reformed. Member, Rotary. Died in 1978. Burial location unknown.
Edgar A. Geerlings (b. 1937) — of Muskegon, Muskegon County, Mich. Born in Zeeland, Ottawa County, Mich., April 24, 1937. Republican. School teacher; member of Michigan state house of representatives 97th District, 1967-86; defeated, 1964 (97th District), 1992 (91st District). Christian Reformed. Member, Delta Sigma Phi. Still living as of 1992.
Henry Geerlings (b. 1868) — of Holland, Ottawa County, Mich. Born in Holland, Ottawa County, Mich., February 29, 1868. Republican. Mayor of Holland, Mich., 1937; member of Michigan state house of representatives from Ottawa County, 1945-50. Christian Reformed. Member, Freemasons; Elks; Rotary. Burial location unknown.
Edward Winthrop Gray (1870-1942) — also known as Edward W. Gray — of Newark, Essex County, N.J. Born in Jersey City, Hudson County, N.J., August 18, 1870. Son of Edward Gray and Elizabeth (Beggs) Gray; married, September 29, 1898, to Altha R. Hay. Republican. Newspaper publisher; secretary of New Jersey Republican Party, 1908-13; U.S. Representative from New Jersey 8th District, 1915-19; candidate in primary for U.S. Senator from New Jersey, 1918. Dutch Reformed. Member, Freemasons. Died in Newark, Essex County, N.J., June 10, 1942. Interment at Mt. Pleasant Cemetery, Newark, N.J.
- See also: congressional biography.
Ralph Waldo Gwinn (1884-1962) — also known as Ralph W. Gwinn — of Bronxville, Westchester County, N.Y. Born in Noblesville, Hamilton County, Ind., March 29, 1884. Republican. Lawyer; U.S. Representative from New York 27th District, 1945-59; defeated, 1940, 1942. Methodist or Christian Reformed. Member, Freemasons; Phi Kappa Psi. Died of a heart attack, in Delray Beach, Palm Beach County, Fla., February 27, 1962. Interment at Pawling Cemetery, Pawling, N.Y.
- See also: congressional biography.
Garrett William Hagedorn (1910-1985) — also known as Garrett W. Hagedorn; Gary Hagedorn — of Midland Park, Bergen County, N.J. Born in Midland Park, Bergen County, N.J., September 6, 1910. Son of John William Hagedorn and Jennie (Klopman) Hagedorn; married, October 5, 1935, to Hubrine M. Hamersma. Republican. Mayor of Midland Park, N.J., 1958-68; member of New Jersey state senate 40th District, 1968-85. Christian Reformed. Died, from a heart attack, in Belfast, Waldo County, Maine, August 10, 1985. Burial location unknown.
Gerrit C. Hasper (1913-1991) — of Muskegon, Muskegon County, Mich. Born in Muskegon, Muskegon County, Mich., April 12, 1913. Democrat. Candidate in primary for Michigan state senate 33rd District, 1966; member of Michigan state house of representatives 96th District, 1969-90. Christian Reformed. Died in 1991. Burial location unknown.
Paul Brentwood Henry (1942-1993) — also known as Paul B. Henry — of Rockford, Kent County, Mich. Born in Chicago, Cook County, Ill., July 9, 1942. Republican. Served in the Peace Corps; member of Michigan state board of education, 1975-78; appointed 1975; resigned 1978; member of Michigan state house of representatives 91st District, 1979-82; member of Michigan state senate 32nd District, 1983-85; resigned 1985; U.S. Representative from Michigan, 1985-93 (5th District 1985-93, 3rd District 1993); died in office 1993. Christian Reformed. Died July 31, 1993. Interment at Woodlawn Cemetery, Grand Rapids, Mich.
- See also: congressional biography; votes in Congress from the Washington Post.
D-Cady Herrick II (b. 1908) — of Slingerlands, Albany County, N.Y. Born in Albany, Albany County, N.Y., March 5, 1908. Democrat. Lawyer; served in the U.S. Navy during World War II; member of New York state assembly from Albany County 1st District, 1947-54. Christian Reformed. Member, American Legion; Freemasons; Alpha Delta Phi; Pi Delta Epsilon. Still living as of 1954.
Daniel Hiester (1747-1804) — Born in Montgomery County, Pa., June 25, 1747. Brother of John Hiester; cousin of Joseph Hiester; uncle of Daniel Hiester (1774-1834) and William Hiester. U.S. Representative from Pennsylvania, 1789-96 (at-large 1789-93, 4th District 1793-95, 5th District 1795-96); U.S. Representative from Maryland at-large, 1801-04; died in office 1804. Christian Reformed. Died in Washington, D.C., March 7, 1804. Interment at Zion Reformed Graveyard, Hagerstown, Md.; cenotaph at Congressional Cemetery, Washington, D.C.
- See also Muhlenberg-Hiester family of Pennsylvania
- See also: congressional biography.
William Bancroft Hill (c.1858-1945) — of Poughkeepsie, Dutchess County, N.Y. Born in Colebrook, Coos County, N.H. Married to Elise Weyerhaeuser (1860-1946) (daughter of Frederick E. Weyerhaeuser (1872-1945; lumber executive)). Lawyer; pastor; college professor; Dry candidate for delegate to New York convention to ratify 21st amendment, 1933. Christian Reformed or Presbyterian. Died January 23, 1945. Burial location unknown.
Peter Hoekstra (b. 1953) — of Holland, Ottawa County, Mich. Born in Groningen, Netherlands, October 30, 1953. Republican. Business executive; U.S. Representative from Michigan 2nd District, 1993-. Christian Reformed. Still living as of 2003.
- See also: congressional biography; votes in Congress from the Washington Post.
William Imken (c.1918-1992) — of Hasbrouck Heights, Bergen County, N.J. Married to Marcia Howard. Republican. Mayor of Hasbrouck Heights, N.J., 1969-87. Christian Reformed. Died May 12, 1992. Burial location unknown.
Bartel John Jonkman (1884-1955) — also known as Bartel J. Jonkman — of Grand Rapids, Kent County, Mich. Born in Grand Rapids, Kent County, Mich., April 28, 1884. Son of John B. Jonkman and Sarah (Holwerda) Jonkman; married, September 28, 1904, to Anna Vanden Bosch. Republican. Lawyer; Kent County Prosecuting Attorney, 1929-36; U.S. Representative from Michigan 5th District, 1940-49; defeated in primary, 1948. Christian Reformed. Member, Lions; Delta Sigma Rho. Died in Grand Rapids, Kent County, Mich., June 13, 1955. Interment at Woodlawn Cemetery, Grand Rapids, Mich.
- See also: congressional biography.
Ella Demmink Koeze (1905-1986) — also known as Ella D. Koeze; Ella Demmink; Mrs. Albert S. Koeze; Ella Koeze Weed — of Grand Rapids, Kent County, Mich. Born in Grand Rapids, Kent County, Mich., July 25, 1905. Daughter of Henry Demmink and Alieda (Hesselink) Demmink; married to Albert S. Koeze. Republican. Member of Michigan Republican State Central Committee, 1947-49; delegate to Republican National Convention from Michigan, 1948 (alternate), 1952 (alternate), 1956, 1960 (alternate), 1964; vice-chair of Michigan Republican Party, 1957-60; member of Republican National Committee from Michigan, 1961-69; delegate to Michigan state constitutional convention from Kent County 2nd District, 1961-62. Female. Christian Reformed. Died in 1986. Cremated.
Peter Kok (b. 1919) — of Grand Rapids, Kent County, Mich. Born in Grand Rapids, Kent County, Mich., October 24, 1919. Republican. Realtor; appraiser; member of Michigan state house of representatives, 1965-78 (93rd District 1965-72, 91st District 1973-78). Christian Reformed. Still living as of 1978.
Frederick John Henry Kracke (1868-1954) — also known as Frederick J. H. Kracke — of Brooklyn, Kings County, N.Y. Born in New York, New York County, N.Y., July 11, 1868. Son of Henry Kracke and Henrietta (Hoffman) Kracke; married 1890 to Florence Tayntor. Republican. Produce merchant; cemetery monument business; delegate to Republican National Convention from New York, 1904, 1916, 1920, 1924, 1928, 1932, 1948, 1952; member of New York Republican State Committee, 1907, 1930; delegate to New York convention to ratify 21st amendment, 1933. Christian Reformed. Member, Grange; Freemasons; Knights Templar; Shriners; Union League. Died in Brooklyn, Kings County, N.Y., December 2, 1954. Interment somewhere in West Eaton, N.Y.
John Lansing, Jr. (1754-c.1829) — of Albany, Albany County, N.Y. Born in Albany, Albany County, N.Y., January 30, 1754. Uncle of Gerrit Yates Lansing. Member of New York state assembly from Albany County, 1780-84, 1785-87, 1788-89; Speaker of the New York State Assembly, 1786; Delegate to Continental Congress from New York, 1785; mayor of Albany, N.Y., 1786-90; member, U.S. Constitutional Convention, 1787; Justice of New York Supreme Court, 1790-1801. Christian Reformed. Mysteriously disappeared in New York City, December 12, 1829, after leaving his hotel to post a letter, and was never found. Cenotaph at Albany Rural Cemetery, Menands, N.Y.
- See also: congressional biography.
Ben E. Lohman (1898-1982) — of Hamilton, Allegan County, Mich. Born in Manlius Township, Allegan County, Mich., April 28, 1898. Republican. Farmer; member of Michigan state house of representatives from Allegan County, 1951-62; defeated in primary, 1962 (Allegan County), 1964 (54th District), 1966 (54th District). Christian Reformed. Member, Farm Bureau. Died in 1982. Burial location unknown.
Lucas Lugers (1853-1927) — also known as Luke Lugers — of Michigan. Born in a log house, Laketown Township, Allegan County, Mich., February 2, 1853. Republican. Member of Michigan state house of representatives from Ottawa County 1st District, 1899-1902; member of Michigan state senate 23rd District, 1907-08. Christian Reformed. Dutch ancestry. Died, of prostate cancer, in Holland, Ottawa County, Mich., December 25, 1927. Interment at Graafschap Cemetery, Holland, Mich.
David John Markey (b. 1882) — also known as D. John Markey — of Walkersville, Frederick County, Md. Born in Frederick, Frederick County, Md., October 7, 1882. Republican. Served in the U.S. Army during the Spanish-American War; major in the U.S. Army during World War I; candidate for U.S. Senator from Maryland, 1946. Christian Reformed. Member, American Legion; Freemasons. Interment at Arlington National Cemetery, Arlington, Va.
James Smith Monroe (b. 1854) — also known as James S. Monroe — of Ironwood, Gogebic County, Mich. Born in Paterson, Passaic County, N.J., December 29, 1854. Son of Peter Smith Monroe and Harriet (FitzGerald) Monroe; married, July 13, 1882, to Emma C. Mitchell. Republican. Superintendent of schools; lawyer; member of Michigan state house of representatives, 1901-10 (Gogebic District 1901-02, Gogebic County 1903-10); defeated, 1912. Christian Reformed. Member, Freemasons. Burial location unknown.
Stephen V. Monsma (b. 1936) — of Grand Rapids, Kent County, Mich. Born in Pella, Marion County, Iowa, September 22, 1936. Democrat. Member of Michigan state senate 32nd District, 1979-82; defeated, 1970, 1985; member of Michigan state house of representatives 93rd District, 1975-78; Democratic candidate for U.S. Representative from Michigan 5th District, 1980 (primary), 1982. Christian Reformed. Member, Urban League. Still living as of 1985.
Arthur Harry Moore (1879-1952) — also known as A. Harry Moore — of Jersey City, Hudson County, N.J. Born in Jersey City, Hudson County, N.J., July 3, 1879. Democrat. Lawyer; Governor of New Jersey, 1926-29, 1932-35, 1938-41; delegate to Democratic National Convention from New Jersey, 1932, 1936, 1940, 1944, 1952; U.S. Senator from New Jersey, 1935-38. Christian Reformed. Scotch-Irish ancestry. Member, Grange; Freemasons; Shriners; Eagles; Elks; Foresters; Moose; Royal Arcanum; Delta Theta Phi. Died from a heart attack while driving his car along State Highway 29 in Somerset County, N.J., November 18, 1952. Interment at Bayview Cemetery, Jersey City, N.J.
- See also: congressional biography; National Governors Association biography.
Samuel Lyman Munson (b. 1844) — of Albany, Albany County, N.Y. Born in Norwich (now Huntington), Hampshire County, Mass., June 14, 1844. Son of Garry Munson and Harriet (Lyman) Munson; married, May 21, 1868, to Susan Babcock Hopkins. Republican. Collar manufacturer; vice-president, Home Savings Bank; director, National Exchange Bank; vice-president, Albany Homeopathic Hospital; Presidential Elector for New York, 1900. Christian Reformed. Member, Sons of the Revolution. Burial location unknown.
William MacRae Nicoll (b. 1893) — also known as William M. Nicoll — of Scotia, Schenectady County, N.Y. Born in Dundee, Scotland, May 7, 1893. Republican. Lawyer; member of New York state assembly from Schenectady County 2nd District, 1924-29. Christian Reformed. Member, Freemasons; Knights of Pythias. Burial location unknown.
Robert T. Oestreicher (1897-1955) — of Columbus, Franklin County, Ohio. Born in Nelsonville, Athens County, Ohio, February 28, 1897. Automobile dealer; mayor of Columbus, Ohio, 1953. Christian Reformed. Died, of cerebral thrombosis, in Columbus, Franklin County, Ohio, February 19, 1955. Interment at Green Lawn Cemetery, Columbus, Ohio.
Peter Oppewall (b. 1922) — of Grand Rapids, Kent County, Mich. Born in Northbridge, Worcester County, Mass., 1922. Democrat. Served in the U.S. Army Air Force in World War II; college professor; candidate in primary for delegate to Michigan state constitutional convention from Kent County 1st District, 1961; member of Michigan state board of education, 1965-70. Christian Reformed. Member, Urban League. Still living as of 1970.
Frank M. Ozinga (b. 1914) — of Evergreen Park, Cook County, Ill. Born in Illinois, August 30, 1914. Served in the U.S. Navy during World War II; member of Illinois state senate, 1957-83 (6th District 1957-73, 8th District 1973-83). Christian Reformed. Member, American Bar Association; American Legion; Veterans of Foreign Wars. Still living as of 1983.
Martin Ozinga, Jr. (b. 1921) — of Evergreen Park, Cook County, Ill. Born in Evergreen Park, Cook County, Ill., May 4, 1921. Delegate to Illinois state constitutional convention 6th District, 1969-70. Christian Reformed. Member, Lions. Still living as of 1970.
Alfred Rider Page (1859-1931) — also known as Alfred R. Page — of Brooklyn, Kings County, N.Y.; Manhattan, New York County, N.Y.; Bronx, Bronx County, N.Y. Born in Carlinville, Macoupin County, Ill., October 7, 1859. Son of Charles Page and Angeline (Rider) Page; married 1886 to Elizabeth M. Rose. Republican. Lawyer; member of New York state senate 19th District, 1905-08; delegate to Republican National Convention from New York, 1908; Justice of New York Supreme Court 1st District, 1910-23; Justice of the Appellate Division of the New York Supreme Court 1st Department, 1916-23; law partner of George L. Ingraham, 1923-25. Christian Reformed. Member, Freemasons; Chi Psi. Died, of pneumonia, in Southampton Hospital, Southampton, Suffolk County, Long Island, N.Y., February 3, 1931. Burial location unknown.
Anning Smith Prall (1870-1937) — also known as Anning S. Prall — of West New Brighton, Staten Island, Richmond County, N.Y.; Westerleigh, Staten Island, Richmond County, N.Y. Born in Port Richmond, Staten Island, Richmond County, N.Y., September 17, 1870. Democrat. U.S. Representative from New York 11th District, 1923-35; delegate to Democratic National Convention from New York, 1924, 1928 (alternate), 1932 (alternate), 1936 (alternate); member and chairman of the Federal Communications Commission, 1935-37. Christian Reformed. Died in Boothbay Harbor, Lincoln County, Maine, July 23, 1937. Interment at Moravian Cemetery, New Dorp, Staten Island, N.Y.
- See also: congressional biography.
Lewis Wesley Rathgeber, Jr. (b. 1922) — also known as Lewis W. Rathgeber, Jr. — of Lock Haven, Clinton County, Pa. Born in Lock Haven, Clinton County, Pa., March 22, 1922. Democrat. Served in the U.S. Army during World War II; alternate delegate to Democratic National Convention from Pennsylvania, 1948, 1952. Christian Reformed. Member, American Legion; Freemasons; Elks. Still living as of 1952.
Theodore Roosevelt (1858-1919) — also known as "T.R."; "Teddy"; "The Colonel"; "The Hero of San Juan Hill"; "The Rough Rider"; "Trust-Buster"; "The Happy Warrior"; "The Bull Moose" — of New York, New York County, N.Y. Born in New York, New York County, N.Y., October 27, 1858. Great-great-grandson of Archibald Bulloch; nephew of Robert Barnwell Roosevelt; son of Theodore Roosevelt, Sr. (1831-1878) and Martha (Bulloch) Roosevelt (1835-1884); married, October 27, 1880, to Alice Hathaway Lee (died 1884); married, December 2, 1886, to Edith Kermit Carow; fourth cousin once removed of Franklin Delano Roosevelt (1882-1945); uncle of Theodore Douglas Robinson, Anna Eleanor Roosevelt (1884-1962) (who married Franklin Delano Roosevelt (1882-1945)) and Corinne Robinson Alsop; father of Alice Lee Roosevelt (who married Nicholas Longworth) and Theodore Roosevelt, Jr.; granduncle of Franklin Delano Roosevelt, Jr. and John DeKoven Alsop; great-grandfather-in-law of William Floyd Weld. Member of New York state assembly from New York County 21st District, 1882-84; delegate to Republican National Convention from New York, 1884, 1900; candidate for mayor of New York City, N.Y., 1886; colonel in the U.S. Army during the Spanish-American War; Governor of New York, 1899-1901; Vice President of the United States, 1901; President of the United States, 1901-09; defeated (Progressive), 1912; candidate for Republican nomination for President, 1916. Christian Reformed. Dutch ancestry. Member, Freemasons; Union League; Alpha Delta Phi; Delta Kappa Epsilon; Phi Beta Kappa. Received the Medal of Honor for leading a charge up San Juan Hill during battle there, July 1, 1898. While campaigning for president in Milwaukee, Wis., on October 14, 1912, was shot in the chest by John F. Schrank; despite the injury, he continued his speech for another hour and a half before seeking medical attention. Awarded Nobel Peace Prize in 1906; elected to the Hall of Fame for Great Americans in 1950. Died in Oyster Bay, Nassau County, Long Island, N.Y., January 6, 1919. Interment at Youngs Memorial Cemetery, Oyster Bay, Long Island, N.Y. Roosevelt counties in Mont. and N.M. are named for him.
- Cross-reference: Gifford Pinchot; David J. Leahy; William Barnes, Jr.; Oliver D. Burden
- See also Livingston-Lee-Clay-Williams family
- See also: congressional biography; National Governors Association biography; Wikipedia article; Internet Movie Database profile; Find-A-Grave page.
- Books about Theodore Roosevelt: James MacGregor Burns & Susan Dunn, The Three Roosevelts: Patrician Leaders Who Transformed America; H. W. Brands, T.R : The Last Romantic; Edmund Morris, Theodore Rex; Edmund Morris, The Rise of Theodore Roosevelt; John Morton Blum, The Republican Roosevelt; Richard D. White, Jr., Roosevelt the Reformer : Theodore Roosevelt as Civil Service Commissioner, 1889-1895; Frederick W. Marks III, Velvet on Iron : The Diplomacy of Theodore Roosevelt; James Chace, 1912 : Wilson, Roosevelt, Taft and Debs : The Election that Changed the Country; Patricia O'Toole, When Trumpets Call : Theodore Roosevelt After the White House; Candice Millard, The River of Doubt : Theodore Roosevelt's Darkest Journey; Lewis Einstein, Roosevelt : His Mind in Action (out of print)
Richard Schell (1810-1879) — of New York, New York County, N.Y. Born in Rhinebeck, Dutchess County, N.Y., May 15, 1810. Son of Christian Schell; brother of Augustus Schell. Democrat. Member of New York state senate 6th District, 1858-59; U.S. Representative from New York 9th District, 1874-75. Christian Reformed. Dutch and German ancestry. Died in New York, New York County, N.Y., November 10, 1879. Interment at Old Dutch Cemetery, Rhinebeck, N.Y.
- See also: congressional biography.
William Abraham Schnader (b. 1886) — also known as William A. Schnader — of Germantown, Philadelphia, Philadelphia County, Pa. Born in Bowmansville, Lancaster County, Pa., October 5, 1886. Son of Charles B. Schnader and Elizabeth (Renninger) Schnader; married, June 9, 1915, to Ethel K. Heinitsh. Republican. Lawyer; Pennsylvania state attorney general, 1930-35; candidate for Governor of Pennsylvania, 1934. Christian Reformed. Member, Order of the Coif; Freemasons; Union League; Chi Phi; Phi Beta Kappa; Phi Delta Phi. Burial location unknown.
Omar Schnatmeier (b. 1908) — of St. Charles, St. Charles County, Mo. Born in St. Charles, St. Charles County, Mo., July 21, 1908. Republican. Newspaper editor; sheriff; member of Missouri Republican State Committee, 1944-48; delegate to Republican National Convention from Missouri, 1948. Christian Reformed. Member, Freemasons; Shriners; Moose; Rotary. Still living as of 1950.
James Schoolcraft Sherman (1855-1912) — also known as James S. Sherman; "Sunny Jim" — of Utica, Oneida County, N.Y. Born in Utica, Oneida County, N.Y., October 24, 1855. Son of Richard U. Sherman. Republican. Mayor of Utica, N.Y., 1884-86; U.S. Representative from New York, 1887-91, 1893-1909 (23rd District 1887-91, 25th District 1893-1903, 27th District 1903-09); Vice President of the United States, 1909-12; died in office 1912. Christian Reformed. Died in Utica, Oneida County, N.Y., October 30, 1912. Interment at Forest Hill Cemetery, Utica, N.Y.
- See also: congressional biography; Wikipedia article.
Jelt Sietsema (b. 1921) — of Grand Rapids, Kent County, Mich. Born in Grand Rapids, Kent County, Mich., May 7, 1921. Democrat. Served in the U.S. Army during World War II; member of Michigan state house of representatives 94th District, 1969-86; defeated, 1986. Christian Reformed. Member, American Legion. Still living as of 1986.
Alfred E. Steers (c.1861-1948) — of Brooklyn, Kings County, N.Y. Born in Brooklyn, Kings County, N.Y. Son of Christopher Steers. Democrat. Served in the U.S. Army during the Spanish-American War; grocer; broom manufacturer; real estate business; magistrate; borough president of Brooklyn, New York, 1910-13; resigned 1913; delegate to Democratic National Convention from New York, 1912. Christian Reformed. Member, Freemasons. Died in Brooklyn, Kings County, N.Y., March 2, 1948. Interment at Green-Wood Cemetery, Brooklyn, N.Y.
Stanley G. Stroup (b. 1904) — of Bedford, Bedford County, Pa. Born in Somerset County, Pa., September 18, 1904. Republican. Member of Pennsylvania state house of representatives, 1954-60; member of Pennsylvania state senate, 1960-71; delegate to Republican National Convention from Pennsylvania, 1972. Christian Reformed. Member, American Bar Association; American Judicature Society; Freemasons; Rotary; Union League. Presumed deceased. Burial location unknown.
Melvin D. Synhorst (b. 1914) — of Orange City, Sioux County, Iowa. Born in Orange City, Sioux County, Iowa, January 21, 1914. Republican. Lawyer; served in the U.S. Army during World War II; secretary of state of Iowa, 1949-65, 1967-. Christian Reformed. Member, American Legion; Amvets; Veterans of Foreign Wars; Freemasons; Alpha Tau Omega; Gamma Eta Gamma. Still living as of 1971.
Daniel D. Tompkins (1774-1825) — of New York, New York County, N.Y.; Staten Island, Richmond County, N.Y. Born in Scarsdale, Westchester County, N.Y., June 21, 1774. Son of Jonathan G. Tompkins; brother of Caleb Tompkins; married 1798 to Hannah Minthorne. Democrat. Lawyer; delegate to New York state constitutional convention, 1801, 1821; member of New York state assembly from New York County, 1802-03; U.S. Representative from New York 3rd District, 1805; Governor of New York, 1807-17; Vice President of the United States, 1817-25. Presbyterian or Christian Reformed. Member, Freemasons. Died in Staten Island, Richmond County, N.Y., June 11, 1825. Entombed at St. Mark's Churchyard, Manhattan, N.Y. Tompkins County, N.Y. is named for him.
- See also: congressional biography; National Governors Association biography; Wikipedia article.
Martin Van Buren (1782-1862) — also known as "The Little Magician"; "Old Kinderhook"; "Red Fox of Kinderhook"; "Matty Van"; "American Talleyrand"; "Blue Whiskey Van" — of Kinderhook, Columbia County, N.Y. Born in Kinderhook, Columbia County, N.Y., December 5, 1782. Son of Abraham Van Buren and Maria Hoes (Van Alen) Van Buren; married to the sister-in-law of Moses I. Cantine; half-brother of James Isaac Van Alen; married, February 21, 1807, to Hannah Hoes (died 1819); father of John Van Buren. Lawyer; Columbia County Surrogate, 1808-13; member of New York state senate Middle District, 1812-20; New York state attorney general, 1815-19; appointed 1815; delegate to New York state constitutional convention, 1821; U.S. Senator from New York, 1821-28; Governor of New York, 1829; U.S. Secretary of State, 1829-31; U.S. Minister to Great Britain, 1831-32; Vice President of the United States, 1833-37; President of the United States, 1837-41; defeated, 1840 (Democratic), 1848 (Free Soil); candidate for Democratic nomination for President, 1844. Christian Reformed. Dutch ancestry. Died, reportedly due to asthma, but more likely some kind of heart failure, in Kinderhook, Columbia County, N.Y., July 24, 1862. Interment at Kinderhook Cemetery, Kinderhook, N.Y. Van Buren County, Ark., Van Buren County, Iowa, Van Buren County, Mich. and Van Buren County, Tenn. are named for him.
- Cross-reference: Sanford W. Smith
- See also Cantine-VanBuren family of New York
- See also: congressional biography; National Governors Association biography; Wikipedia article.
- Books about Martin Van Buren: Major L. Wilson, The Presidency of Martin Van Buren; Joel H. Silbey, Martin Van Buren and the Emergence of American Popular Politics; Jerome Mushkat & Robert G. Rayback, Martin Van Buren : Law, Politics, and the Shaping of Republican Ideology; John Niven, Martin Van Buren : The Romantic Age of American Politics; Ted Widmer, Martin Van Buren
Robert VanderLaan (b. 1930) — of Kentwood, Kent County, Mich. Born in Paris Township (now Kentwood), Kent County, Mich., June 4, 1930. Republican. School teacher; supervisor of Paris Township, Michigan, 1961-63; resigned 1963; member of Michigan state senate, 1963-82 (17th District 1963-64, 31st District 1965-82); alternate delegate to Republican National Convention from Michigan, 1972; candidate for U.S. Representative from Michigan 5th District, 1974. Christian Reformed. Still living as of 1982.
John Vanderwerp (1866-1939) — of Muskegon, Muskegon County, Mich. Born in Fillmore Township, Allegan County, Mich., May 25, 1866. Married 1889 to Agnes Vogel; uncle of Don VanderWerp. Republican. Lawyer; law partner of Clarence W. Sessions, 1901-05, and of John Q. Ross, 1910; probate judge in Michigan, 1897-1901; member of Michigan state senate 23rd District, 1911-12, 1939; died in office 1939; circuit judge in Michigan 14th Circuit, 1918-35. Christian Reformed. Dutch ancestry. Member, Rotary. Died August 11, 1939. Burial location unknown.
George M. Van Peursem (b. 1912) — of Zeeland, Ottawa County, Mich. Born in Holland, Ottawa County, Mich., December 18, 1912. Married 1936 to Gladys Dillman. Republican. Lawyer; member of Michigan state house of representatives from Ottawa County, 1951-59; resigned 1959; Speaker of the Michigan State House of Representatives, 1957-58; Michigan Republican state chair, 1961-63. Christian Reformed. Member, Rotary. Still living as of 1963.
Riemer Van Til (1912-1975) — of Holland, Ottawa County, Mich. Born in Griffith, Lake County, Ind., March 23, 1912. Married, September 12, 1934, to Tessie Renkema. Republican. Insurance and real estate business; member of Michigan state house of representatives from Ottawa County, 1959-64; defeated in primary, 1964; Ottawa County Treasurer, 1973-75. Christian Reformed. Died in 1975. Burial location unknown.
Harold James Volkema (1930-1967) — also known as Harold J. Volkema; Hal Volkema — of Holland, Ottawa County, Mich. Born in Holland, Ottawa County, Mich., May 29, 1930. Republican. Sports announcer, WHTC radio; bookstore owner; member of Michigan state senate 23rd District, 1965-67; died in office 1967. Christian Reformed. Died, of a heart attack, December 17, 1967. Interment at Pilgrim Home Cemetery, Holland, Mich.
Edward Oscar Weant (b. 1870) — also known as E. O. Weant — of Westminster, Carroll County, Md. Born in Carroll County, Md., November 28, 1870. Son of John Washington Weant and Hannah E. (Miller) Weant; married, April 6, 1905, to Virginia Shaw; father of Edward Oscar Weant, Jr.. Democrat. Lawyer; Carroll County State's Attorney, 1900-04, 1909-13; attorney or director for several banks; delegate to Democratic National Convention from Maryland, 1924. Christian Reformed. Member, American Bar Association; Freemasons; Elks; Knights of Pythias. Burial location unknown.
Isaiah Davis Winne (1818-1902) — also known as Davis Winne — of Ulster County, N.Y. Born in Shandaken town, Ulster County, N.Y., July 18, 1818. Son of Christian Winne (1794-1872) and Annatje (Longyear) Winne (1796-1875); married, December 29, 1842, to Angeline Coon Longyear (1817-1871); married to Adaline Dimmick; first cousin of John Wesley Longyear; second cousin of Isaac W. Longyear; first cousin once removed of John Munro Longyear; second cousin once removed of Charles Davis; first cousin twice removed of Robert Dudley Longyear. Farmer; lumber business; hotelier; Ulster County Sheriff, 1861, 1864; served in the Union Army during the Civil War; member of New York state assembly from Ulster County 3rd District, 1876, 1887. Christian Reformed. Died February 27, 1902. Burial location unknown.
- See also Longyear family of New York
John Barentse Yates (1784-1836) — also known as John B. Yates — of Schenectady, Schenectady County, N.Y.; Chittenango, Madison County, N.Y. Born in Schenectady, Schenectady County, N.Y., February 1, 1784. Democrat. Lawyer; served in the U.S. Army during the War of 1812; U.S. Representative from New York 16th District, 1815-17; county judge in New York, 1835; member of New York state assembly from Madison County, 1836; died in office 1836. Christian Reformed. Died in Chittenango, Madison County, N.Y., July 10, 1836. Interment at Walnut Grove Cemetery, Near Chittenango, Madison County, N.Y.
- See also: congressional biography.
Robert Yates (1738-1801) — of New York. Born in Albany, Albany County, N.Y., January 27, 1738. State court judge in New York, 1777-98; member, U.S. Constitutional Convention, 1787; candidate for Governor of New York, 1789, 1795. Christian Reformed. Died September 9, 1801. Original interment in unknown location; reinterment at Albany Rural Cemetery, Menands, N.Y.
Milton Zaagman (b. 1926) — of Grand Rapids, Kent County, Mich. Born in Grand Rapids, Kent County, Mich., March 28, 1926. Married 1948 to Martha Haverkamp. Republican. Served in the U.S. Navy during World War II; mortician; candidate in primary for Michigan state house of representatives from Kent County 1st District, 1954, 1956; member of Michigan state senate, 1963-74 (16th District 1963-64, 32nd District 1965-74); defeated, 1974; candidate in primary for U.S. Representative from Michigan 5th District, 1974. Christian Reformed. Member, American Legion. Still living as of 1974.

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