Person:William Laug (1)

When he emigrated from Germany, he sailed from Rotterdam to New York City, and upon arrival stayed with his Uncle Harm Laug.

Anniversary of American Landing Celebrated Here-- The Laug and Busman Families Meet to Commemorate Important Epoch in Lives--

 William and Harm Laug, who are brothers, and John and Harm Busman, who also are brothers, celebrated the fiftieth anniversary of their coming to American shores, last Thursday evening.  These two pairs of brothers, with a few of the near relatives, made this a happy occasion at the home of Wm. Laug.
 The evening was spent in singing of old time German and Dutch songs, in relating and talking over the experiences of those early days and in praising god, who all love and serve.  
 Together they passed through reverses and enjoyed great prosperity, both materially and spiritually.
 Bounteous refreshments were then served before returning to their several homes.
 These four left their homes in the Netherlands early in youth.  They had been reared in the same Christian environment;  they had gone to the same schools, studying and playing together from infancy.  Thus here in America, together, they made their homes in the vicinity of Coopersville.  Jointly they felled the trees of the great forests, broke the sod and cleared it of stumps.  In a very real sense they subdued the soil and then brought it under cultivation.  There were hardships aplenty, but always with the same indomitable spirit they pressed forward.
  During these fifty years great changes have taken place.  The forest has all but been reduced to a plain.  The oxen have been replaced by horses, which in turn have given way for the most part to tractors and automobiles.  The humble home of candle light has been transformed into a well lighted one of electricity, with all the modern conveniences added.  The airplane has taken possession of the air.
 The offspring of these families has assume large proportions, being occupied in various ways and walks of life.  There are farmers and businessmen, teachers and also a doctor.  One missionary has gone to far Japan. During all the years of their sojourn here these two pairs of brothers have been connected with the reformed church of Coopersville, and while they have taken a large place in the life and acitivty of the church, they have likewise exerted a wholesome and beneficial influence throughout the community.
 (a poem follows)
 Source: Coopersville Observer, Friday, May 22, 1931, Pg. 1.

Obituary

AGED RESIDENT PASSES AWAY

 William Laug, aged 70 one of the pioneer residents of Coopersville and vicinity, passed away shortly before midnight, Wednesday, after a long illness.
 Born in Hanover, Germany, Mr. Laug came to the United States at an early age.  For the past 58 years he has been a resident of this commnity.
 Mr. and Mrs. Laug were married in Coopersville, November 28, 1885, and in 1935 celebrated their golden wedding anniversary.  For a good many years they lived on a farm northwest of town and in 1907 sold the farm and moved to the village, where they have since resided.
 Surviving are the widow, Mary; a daughter, Mrs. Millard Bush; four sons, Rev. Geo. W. Laug of Macy, Nebraska, William Harvey of Grand Rapids, and John W. and Henry of Coopersville; three brothers, John in Germany, Harm L. and Henry of Coopersville; and twelve grandchildren.
 Funeral services will be held at the Reformed church at 2:00 o'cock Saturday afternoon,with burial in Coopersville cemetery.
 Source: Coopersville Observer, Friday, January 13, 1939.

Coopersville Observer, Friday, May 22, 1931, Pg. 1.

Coopersville Observer, Friday, January 13, 1939.

1. ↑ ^1.0 1.1 Compiler: Theodor Davina. Nordhorn Ev.-ref. Kirchspiel Index und Kirchenbuchtexte Taufen 1851 bis 1900. (1997).

   Record #15329, includes father's name.

2. ↑ ^{2.0 2.1 2.2} Compiler: County Clerk Grand Haven MI. Ottawa County Michigan Deaths.

   Book 13 Pg. 274, includes birth date/place and father's name.

3. ↑ ^3.0 3.1 Obituary, in Coopersville Observer.

   Friday, January 13, 1939.

4. ↑ Find A Grave.

   With tombstone picture.

5. ↑ Theodor Davina, Noordhorn Germany, a genealogist who has published several books of records of Bentheim..

   E-mail November 28, 2000.

6.   Diane Hosler/Ottawa County Michigan Naturalization.

   Book 5, Pg. 211.