6 March 1900 - Grand Haven Daily Tribune, p. 4
Death of John Donker, Sr.

Another old time Grand Havenite has passed away, in the death of John Donker, which occurred this morning. The old gentlemen has been failing all winter, and his death was not unexpected.

The deceased was a native of the Netherlands, where he was born December 6, 1812. Forty-five years ago he immigrated to America with his family and became a resident of Grand Haven, where he has ever since lived.

In the early 60’s Mr. Donker drove the stage that plied between here and Holland, carrying mail and passengers. Many are the stories that old time residents can tell of the old stage days. That was before the West Michigan railroad was built and this whole section was an entirely different country than it is now.

After his stage experience, Mr. Donker opened a grocery and general store at the corner of Third and Fulton streets, where the Kooiman saloon now stands, and for many years he enjoyed an exceedingly prosperous trade. In early days he also worked in the Albee tannery.

Mr. Donker was elected alderman of the First ward in the 70’s and served two terms.

Of late years he has been in declining health from old age, and has been gradually failing.

Mr. Donker is survived by his wife and the following children: Mrs. Solomon Vorhoeks, Mrs. Joost Kooiman, Cornelius Donker, of the Duluth police force, Herbert, John and John Henry.

The funeral will be held Thursday afternoon at 2:00 p.m. from the home on Fulton street,

Transcriber: Barb Jones
Created: 4 Sep 2010
URL: http://ottawa.migenweb/net/obits/a-j/donkerJohn.html