Mayors of Holland

Introduction

The city of Holland has had 39 mayors in its 155-year history. At least 9 of them were born in the Netherlands; at least 8 were born in the Holland area, while 7 were from other states. At least 6 were members of Hope Church, 5 attended 3rd Reformed Church, and nearly all were Protestant. 4 fought in the world wars. 3 were physicians while only 2 were attorneys and 1 was even a wagonmaker. Most were Republicans, but not all. But I invite you to go beyond the statistics and themes and read the biographies of each mayor of Holland. You will discover that each man had a personality all his own, and that beyond every statistic there is a story.

History and Themes of the Mayors of Holland

Early Mayors of Holland were often powerful, diversified men who held influence over the religious, educational, medical, and financial realms of the city. Holding the position of mayor justified the leadership position that the community had already bestowed upon the individual. These early mayors were concerned with the moral and educational fabric of the city, and they were pivotal in assuring the survival and growth of the city and its citizens. The community was still highly Dutch and it continued to draw immigrants from the Netherlands. Nearly all of the early Mayors were either born in the Netherlands or born to recent immigrant families. With a population of only a few thousand, and a small percentage of who were highly educated, the mayors often represented the peak of educated and financially stable members of the society. They were usually businessmen, doctors, or a combination of the two. Though the vast majority of mayors were religious men, the earlier mayors were particularly devout, regularly asking for divine participation in the city’s affairs.

After the fire of 1871, Holland’s mayors focused on rebuilding the community, attracting businesses, and bettering the welfare of the people. The city began to take shape as roads were graveled and stronger buildings and lasting institutions were constructed. With schooling and economic backing from the East Coast of the United States and the eastern half of Michigan these mayors provided the residents of Holland with invaluable services.

In order for the city to thrive it needed to evolve. Mayors, trying to benefit the community were met with natural resistance to change. Sometimes it was hard to convince the citizens to alter the patterns they had followed for twenty years or more. The programs, which began under one set of leadership, made their way into the next, so that often multiple Council and Mayors were responsible for changes made to the city. For the most part the changes were successful. The city continued to thrive and provide for individual needs. Industry grew steadily after WWII and later an immigrant population of Hispanics flocked to the city. Housing, parks and recreation, commerce, industry, and transportation remained the important topics at city hall. The issues often grew more complex, though no less heated or controversial.

In 1950 the city’s charter was altered to create the position of city manager in an attempt to streamline the relationships between elected officials. The city manager, appointed by the city council, became the highest ranking appointed official in the city. The position of city manager has been held by Harold McClintock (1950-1954), Herbert Holt (1954-1969), William Bopf (1970-1975), Terry Hofmeyer (1975-1988), and Soren Wolff (1988-present). With the formation of the position of city manager, the job of the mayor was made more ceremonially and less technical, but still highly influential and important.

In the second half of the 20th century, issues dealing with the growth of the city came to the forefront. From a Civic Center in the early 50’s to proposed malls in the late 80’s mayors had to steer Holland in the right direction.

By the 1990’s the position of mayor was much different than it had been a century and a half before. Mayors began to visit other cities around the nation to compare and get ideas. The media and new methods of communications forced mayors to have to deal with more information and more people than ever before. The danger of a community fragmented by city and township divisions, age, social or racial divisions had to be constantly monitored and addressed. Surely it had become a complex world. But one thing has not changed; the need for a mayor whose personality and accountability can be relied upon to continue to make important decisions for Holland’s future.

Some Interesting Notes about Holland Mayors

Perhaps it was the small size of the city that caused a few of the mayors of Holland to be related, nevertheless here it is. Kommer Schaddelee and Rokus Kanters were half brothers; the daughter of the first mayor, Isaac Cappon, married William Brusse, the 18th mayor; and James Deyoung, the 16th mayor, married Martha Van Landegend, the daughter of the 4th mayor. Not to be outdone, John VanderSluis lived with his uncle, who was none other than Kommer Schaddelee.
Holland’s mayors also have a history of U.S. military service. Six mayors fought in foreign wars including McBride and Mokma in the Civil War, Brooks in WWI, and Visscher, Lamb, and Sikkel in WWII.
Of the mayors whose life and death dates have been recorded, they had an averaged life span of slightly over 76 years.

Read the biographies of each mayor.

Mayors of Holland information provided by the Joint Archives of Holland, photographs courtesy of the Holland Museum Collection at the Joint Archives of Holland.