Jan Kolvoord came to Allegan County, Michigan from the city of Holland, Michigan with his mother, as a boy of 12 years old. Here he grew up, attended school when he could, and worked in the local saw mills.
He was described as having a good supply of common sense. The only schooling he had was obtained in a district school, yet his natural business ability enabled him to build and conduct a general store, as well as operate several mills in the Hamilton area.
Geziena Ter Avest was received into the Overisel Reformed Church by confession of faith on March 1, 1877.
Geziena Ter Avest and Jan Kolvoord were married on Nov 16, 1877.
In 1878, Jan established a general store in Hamilton, MI. In 1881, he sold his store to his brother Albert Kolvoord and his brother-in-law Jan Willem Ter Avest. He took the proceeds and built a saw mill. He also secured an interest in the Hope Flourmill [also in Hamilton] and afterward built and operated the flourmill known as the Kolvoord Milling Company.
Geziena died of complications from childbirth in 1884, leaving a son, John, and a daughter, Jennie.
Jennie would eventually marry A J Klomparens of Coopersville, MI.
Jan married his second wife, Jennie Akaersook, in 1885. They had one daughter, Florence, born on August 30, 1886.
In 1890, Jan was elected as a Michigan state representative, as a Democrat, serving two years.
Later, he was appointed postmaster in Hamilton.
He died on December 1, 1936.
Most of this information was found in the 1907 History of Allegan County, Michigan as well as Albertus Kolvoord’s Pioneer Recollections.
