Person:Johannes Huizenga (8)

Pastor of the Reformed Church of America, Holland Village, Nebraska, is one of the leading divines of that denomination in the West. He is a talented man, of singular strength of character, and his fine education, which, supplemented by extensive traveling, has broadened his mind, makes him not only a great power in the church, but also an influence in social and public life. He is a native of Holland, Europe, born March 12, 1839, in the town of Kollum, in the Province of Friesland. His parents, Franz and Anna Gertrude Huizenga, were likewise natives of that town, where his father, who was a carpenter by trade, was engaged as a contractor. In 1848 he emigrated to America with his family, and settled in Ottawa County, Mich., among the pioneers. He continued to work there at his trade, and was an important factor in building up the country. His wife, a woman of good mental endowments and rare sweetness of character, died in Michigan when forty-two years old, her premature death being a sad blow to her family and to the community. She was the mother of three children--John, Lena and Bernardus.
His father came to Nebraska to spend his declining years in the home of his son, and died here at the age of seventy-four years. In his day he was a very capable man, gifted with shrewdness and forethought, and the course of his life was that of an honorable and incorruptible man.
Rev. John Huizenga was but nine years of age when his parents brought him to America, and he has since grown to be one of her most loyal and patriotic citizens, as is shown by the record of his distinguished military career during the late Civil War, and the course that he has since pursued. When he left his native land he had just made a start at school, and in his new home in Ottawa Comity, Mich., near Indian Village, Black Lake, there being no schools for four or five years, the country being newly settled, he was taught at home. At the age of sixteen he entered Holland Academy, now Hope College, Holland, Michigan, and he there took a preparatory course and then the collegiate course. He was in the Sophomore class when the war broke out. He finally threw aside his studies and enlisted in Company I, 25th Michigan Infantry, entering as a private for a term of three months. He then enlisted for three years or during the war, Aug. 23, 1862. His regiment drilled at Kalamazoo, and was then dispatched to Louisville, Kentucky, and first encountered the enemy at that place. The principal business of him and his comrades was to check Morgan and guard the bridge at Tibb's Bend on the Green River. He was made Third Sergeant of his company at Kalamazoo, and was afterward appointed Orderly Sergeant, which position he held until the fall of 1864, when he was sent back to Michigan as Recruiting Sergeant. He was first put on duty at Camp Rendezvous, Grand Rapids, and thence he went to Jackson to take charge of Barracks No. 10. He was there presented with an elegant sword in recognition of his efficient services and of the high regard in which he was held. He was afterward transferred to the large barracks, where he had command of 500 men. He discharged his duties with such fidelity and zeal as to gain the confidence and commendation of his superior officers, and at the same time his kindness toward his subordinates won their affection and respect, he was honorably discharged from the service at Jackson, in June, 1865.
After the war Mr. Huizenga visited his friends in Michigan for two weeks, and then went to Europe for an extended tour, to revisit his old home and see many of the famous places in the Old World. He traveled through Ireland, Scotland, England, spending a week in London, and journeyed through Germany and Holland. He greatly enjoyed his travels. which were in themselves a liberal education to one of his intelligence and thoughtfulness. After returning to the United States, he taught in the Union School at Holland City, Michigan, and was made Justice of the Peace at the same time, being the first Justice in Holland after it was incorporated as a city. During that time he made up his mind to enter the medical profession, and had made all the necessary arrangements in company with two college friends to become a student at the Rush Medical College, Chicago, Illilois. But his plans were thwarted by certain circumstances that arose, and he was prevented from carrying out his desire of becoming a physician. He then turned his attention to the ministry, and entering the Hope Theological Seminary, completed his course, and was graduated with the class of '69, with a fine record as a scholar. He was ordained as a pastor, and went to Virginia to take his first charge, and for six years he held a successful pastorate there. During that time he and his wife paid a very delightful visit to the Philadelphia Centennial in 1876. In that year the Rev. Huizenga was sent to Nebraska to his present church. Since his residence here he has been instrumental in propagating his faith, and he is considered one of the bright lights of the Reformed Church. By his pleasant and genial manners he has gained many warm friends, not alone among his parishioners, but in the community at large.
To the amiable wife, who has cheered and sustained him in his sacred work during nearly the whole of his ministry, the Rev. John Huizenga was united in marriage Oct. 22, 1871. She was formerly Miss Anna Boonstra, and was like himself a native of Holland, born in the Province of Friesland, in 1852. She was five years old when she came to America, where she grew to womanhood. Of the seven children that have blessed the union of her and her husband, the first three were born in Virginia, and the names of the children are as follows: Frank, Maggie, Dick, Anna Gertrude, Jennie, Elizabeth and Anna. Frank is a student at the Northwestern Academy in Sioux County, Iowa.
John Huizenga is a man of wealth and owns considerable valuable property. He possesses a farm of 130 acres on section 11, South Pass, and he also owns a fine farm in Virginia of ninety acres, and a beautiful country seat. He takes a commendable interest in public affairs, and as School Director has done much to advance the educational interests of Holland. In his politics, he was a Republican until 1886, but considering the cause of temperance the most important question before the people, he joined the Prohibition ranks, a most welcome addition to that party. (Biographical Album of Lancaster County Nebraska)

1. ↑ ^1.0 1.1 Find A Grave.