Mayors of Holland - Biographies

Rokus Kanters was born on January 5, 1825 in Gravenmore, Province of North Brabant, the Netherlands. On April 5th, 1849 he married Christina Roos, with whom he raised two daughters and five sons.

In the Netherlands he was a laborer and later a fascine construction contractor working for the Dutch government along the coast and harbors of the North Sea. After immigrating to Holland in 1862 with his family, he applied this knowledge in Holland and other ports on the Great Lakes as he was engaged in the construction of hydraulic works along with his sons and partner John Roost. He worked around the country (Chicago, Galveston, Buffalo, etc) on maritime engineering project such as breakwaters and piers. He received fame for his Brush Mat Work System. He received the most recognition for the effectiveness his work at Lincoln Park in Chicago. This system was described in an 1885 publication titled Hydraulic Engineering after the Holland Method for the Construction of Harbors, Breakwater, Jetties, Shore Protection, Dams, Cribs, Levees, Etc., Etc.

In 1886 he became the editor of the Holland, Michigan based newspaper, De Hope (The Hope) as well as serving as city alderman, mayor, school inspector and member of the board of trustees and president of the Pilgrim Home Cemetery.

The former administration had spent beyond their means and only high taxes kept the city out of the red as a national depression in 1884 only made matters worse. Measures were taken to get the city back on its feet financially, Mayor Kanters had other problems to face beyond the city's finances. He also had to suspend the deputy jailer when two disorderly boys managed to escape from the jail, and arsonists who went undiscovered and caused the fire department much distress also plagued the city. Mayor Kanters saw to the passing of a resolution that trains cease operating in Holland during Sunday. Under his leadership the city finances were returned to the black.

After serving as Mayor he continued to run R. Kanters & Sons Hardware store until a throat condition forced him to retire to his home because of malnutrition. He later passed away from the worsening condition on November 22, 1899.

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