William John Balgooyen
Submitted by Pam Thompson Davis and
Bill Moore
City Attorney
Danigelis
building, Muskegon Heights, Michigan
William John Balgooyen*, son of John
and Fredrika (Van den Beldt) Balgooyen; was born in Grand Haven,
Michigan, January 25, 1894.
John Balgooyen, son of William Balgooyen,
was born in the Netherlands, February 5, 1862. When two years of age he was
brought to the United States by his parents who settled in Michigan. John Balgooyen was in charge of the
bending department of a pail and barrel manufacturing company, many years. He
later engaged in the grocery business, and subsequently became a cement and
brick manufacturing. He died in June 1934. His wife, Fredrika (Van den Beldt)
Balgooyen, daughter of Gerrit and Susan (Marsilje) Van den
Beldt, was born in Holland, Michigan in 1855. She died in 1930. John and Fredrika (Van den Beldt) Balgooyen
were the parents of 8 children, William J. being fourth in order of birth.
Gerrit and Susan (Marsilje) Ban den Beldt,
parents of Fredrika (Van de Beldt) Balgooyen, were born in the
Netherlands. They came to the United States, locating in Kalamazoo, Michigan,
and later traveled by oxcart to Holland, Michigan, were they were pioneers.
Gerrit Van den Beldt purchased and cleared land on which the Ottawa
County Fair later was held. He was the owner and operator of a brickyard.
William Balgooyen, father of John Balgooyen,
brought his family from the Netherlands to the United States in 1864. He
settled in Grand Haven, Michigan, where he died. He was employed in sawmills.
William J. Balgooyen, the subject of this
sketch, was graduated from Grand Haven High School in 1912, and in 1920
received an A.B. degree from the University of Michigan, where he was graduated
with an LL.B degree in 1921. From 1915 to 1917 he was an instructor of
mathematics, in Sparta, Illinois. In December 1917 he enlisted for service in
the World War, and was assigned to an Officers Training School in Cleveland,
Ohio, after which he was transferred to Camp Pelham Bay, New York. He was
commissioned. an ensign on August 10, 1918, and was assigned to the U.S.S.
“Hisko,” an oil tanker making trips for the fleet to various points overseas.
He was honorably discharged in March 1919, after which he completed his law
course. Mr. Balgooyen began the practice of law in Muskegon Heights,
Michigan, in 1921. In 1924 he was appointed city attorney of Muskegon Heights,
and since May 1, 1933 has held that office through yearly reappointment. He
engages also in a general practice of law. In 1935 he was a candidate for judge
of the Circuit Court. Mr. Balgooyen served as a member of the Muskegon
County Board of Supervisors, during 1924 and 1925, and since 1923, has been a
member of the Muskegon heights Board of Education. In 1940 Mr. Balgooyen was
appointed a member of Appeal Board Number 14, State of Michigan, and is now
serving as chairman of the board. He is director of and counselor for the Vento
Steel Products Company. Mr. Balgooyen is a Democrat, and a member of the
following: State Bar of Michigan (has served as commander since 1939); Muskegon
county Bar Association (was president for year ending in March 1939); Elks
Lodge; American Legion; Veterans of Foreign Wars of the United States; Kiwanis
Club (past first vice-president); Muskegon Chapter, Citizens Historical
Association; and First Congregational Church (a trustee). His favorite
recreation is fishing. Mr. Balgooyen is part owner of The Hook and Horn
Club, which is located on the Pere Marquette River near Baldwin, Michigan.
On May 29, 1929, William J. Balgooyen married
Edna Fors, daughter of John Fors, who was employed by the Shaw
Crane Works, bridge builders. Mrs. Balgooyen was born in Muskegon
Heights, Michigan. Children: (1) William John, Junior, born January 30, 1931.
(2) Sue Marilyn, born May 29, 1932. (3) Frederic Fors, born January 11, 1941.
* For further data regarding William J. Balgooyen,
see *Who’s Who in the Central States”. (Mayflower Publishing Company
Incorporated, Washington, D.C., 1929) page 60.
Source: Citizens Historical Association,
Indianapolis Number: 2 D20 E61 F85 – LCD/KAR
September 6, 1941