Legislator Details


Sybrant Wesselius
AKA:
Number of sessions served 1
Sessions served
Gender: Male
Age at election: 29

Vital Records Information:

Birth
Date: 6/8/1859
City: Grand Rapids, MI
County: Kent County, MI
Country: US
 
Death
Date: 5/9/1926
City: Grand Rapids, MI
County: Kent County, MI
Country: US
Type of Burial:
Burial
Date: 5/12/1926
City: Grand Rapids, MI
County: Kent County, MI
Country: US
Cemetery: Oak Hill Cemetery

Marital Information:
marrie Ella Loella Bangs, 9/30/1885 in Hudson, MI; children: 2, Dorothy and Hazel M. (Small)

Number of Children: 2

Background

Religion: Westminster Presbyterian/ Dutch Reformed
Military Service:
Occupation: teacher, lawyer
Race: Caucasian or White

Education:
common schools of Grand Rapids; graduated from Kalamazoo College with and AB, 1883; trained for the ministry at Hope College; studied law in the offices of local lawyers

Biographical Sketch:
Son of Charles (or Tjalling) and Dinah (or Alkadina Nap) Wesselius; of Dutch ancestry. He worked in a trunk factory at 15 and saved money for school. After completing his degree at Kalamazoo College he taught while reading law. Admitted to the bar in 1886. He managed the campaign forGov. Pingree in 1897; served as railroad commissioner during Pingree's administration. Member of the Odd Fellows, the Elks and the Knights of Pythias. He started the "League of Boer Sympathizers in the United States" during the Boer War.

Notable Facts:
Known as the "Governor of Western Michigan" during Pingree's administration. He was a "Bull Moose" leader in 1912

Sessions Served:

Thirty-Fifth Legislature, 1889-1890
Chamber: Senate
Party: Republican
Committees Served On: Constitutional Amendments , Judiciary , Mining School and Mining Interests, Executive Business , Reform School
Postions Held:

City of Residence: Grand Rapids
County of Residence Kent
District: 20
District Description: Kent County

Date Elected: 11/6/1888
Date Sworn In: 1/2/1889
Date Left Office:

Reason for Leaving Office: N/A
End of Term Status: Departed

Maritial Status: Married
Notes:

Bibliography:

Manual 1889 p.631-32; Michiganology; Find-a-Grave.com; Grand Rapids Herald 5/10/1926 p.1 and 2; MIMarRec 1867-1952; USCen 1910; Men of Progress p.361, includes portrait
View Bibliographical Sources