Vandenberg Tree » Douwe Jans Laansma (1871-1953)

Personal data Douwe Jans Laansma 

• He was born on January 28, 1871 in Wonseradeel, Friesland, Netherlands.
• He died on February 27, 1953 in Grand Rapids, Kent Co, MI, he was 82 years old.
• A child of Jan Laansma and Ida Cooper

Household of Douwe Jans Laansma

He is married to Boukje (Bessie) Jans Brouwer.

They got married on April 10, 1895 at Grand Rapids, Kent Co, MI, he was 24 years old.

Child(ren):

1. Florence Ida Laansma  1903-1989 

Notes about Douwe Jans Laansma

Arthur deNeui's Note: Douwe emigrated to the United States on his twentieth birthday in 1891, the only member of his family to do so. All Laansmas in the United States are descended from him.

Roger's Note: I found a sister that had also emigrated to the U.S.

Holland Baptist Church - In the year 1889 (original article said 1899 which doesn't match with the rest of the dates in the article), the first five members were baptized by the Reverends P. J. De Neui, of Parkersburg, Iowa and C. Shoemaker, of Muscatine, Ia. In 1891 some more Holland Baptists came over from the old country. However small their number, they held meetings every Sunday in their homes, and later on, under the leadership of one of their number, they held their meetings every Sunday afternoon in the parlors of the Fountain Street Baptist Church. In May, 1894, the small band of 33 members became organized as the Holland Baptist Church, and Mr. D. Laansma became their chosen pastor, and Mr. John Sysmerda and the late Mr. Fred Moss, their first deacons.

In October, 1894, there was a council held in this city with representatives of the different Baptist churches, and at this council the Holland Baptist Church was incorporated under the State law, and recognized as a regular Baptist church. Their chosen pastor, Mr. D. Laansma, was also examined by this same council, under the chairmanship of the late Dr. Mulhem, and Secretary Rev. C. W. Barber, and in the evening of the 23d of October, 1894, ordained to the gospel ministry.

In 1895 their first chapel was built on McReynold street, near Ninth street, and in 1896 it became necessary to enlarge the building.

The cause has since been growing steadily, and in 1904 they were free of debt. In June, 1904, the church bought a new lot on Quarry street near West Leonard street with the purpose of erecting a better place of worship in that better location. They are still raising funds for that purpose and expect to build as soon as possible. Their pastor, the Rev. D. Laansma is full of hope for the future.

The Holland Baptist Church is the only church of that faith among the Hollanders of the Western states. They have branches in Jamestown, Mich., Grand Haven, Mich., and Roseland, Chicago, Ill., where the pastors of the local church go from time to time to preach and work. The membership is steadily increasing and the Sunday school is large. The Holland Baptist Church is very orthodox in their faith and belief and cling to the doctrine of the cross and to all the doctrines of the Bible.

(History of Grand Rapids, pp 1172-1173)

The census of 7 June 1900 for Grand Rapids Ward 6, Kent Co, MI lists:

Laansma, Douwe, head, born Jan 1871, age 29, married 4 years, born in Netherlands, immigrated 1891, 9 years in US, occupation - clergyman

Bessie, wife, born Dec 1876, age 23, married 4 years, 2 children - 1 living, born in Netherlands, immigrated 1882, 18 years in US

John, son, born Jan 1899, age 1, born in Michigan

The census of 21 April 1910 for Grand Rapids Ward 6, Kent Co, MI lists:

Laansma, Douwe, head, age 38, married 15 years, born in Holland, occupation - Baptist Minister (transcribed as Douwa)

Bessie, wife, age 32, 6 children - 5 living, born in Holland

John, son, age 11, born in Michigan

Johannes, son, age 8, born in Michigan

Florence, daughter, age 6, born in Michigan

Ida, daughter, age 4, born in Michigan

George, son, age 2, born in Michigan

Brouwer, Florence, mother-in-law, age 56, widow, 2 children - 2 living, born in Holland

The census of 9 January 1920 for Grand Rapids Ward 1, Kent Co, MI lists: (transcribed as Laansina)

Laansma, Douwe Rev., head, age 48, immigrated 1891, born in Holland, occupation - minister church (transcribed as Horewe)

Bessie, wife, age 43, born in Holland

John, son, age 20, born in Michigan, occupation - cashier brush factory

Johannes, son, age 18, born in Michigan (transcribed as Johannas)

Florence, daughter, age 16, born in Michigan, occupation - saleswoman grocery
George, son, age 12, born in Michigan

Brouwer, Florence, mother-in-law, age 65, immigrated 1881, born in Holland (transcribed as Browver)

The census of 10 April 1930 for Grand Rapids, Kent Co, MI lists:

Laansma, Douwe, head, age 59, married at 24, born in Netherlands, immigrated 1891, occupation - clergyman Baptist Church

Bessie, wife, age 53, married at 18, born in Netherlands, immigrated 1882

George D., son, age 22, born in Michigan, occupation - clerk bank

In 1918 Douwe was the Pastor of the Holland Baptist Church at 1144 Quarry Ave, Grand Rapids, Kent Co, MI.

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Timeline Douwe Jans Laansma

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