Legislator Details

Image of Gerrit John Diekema
Image Description:
Gerrit J. Diekema, portrait from Nimmo p.37

Gerrit John Diekema
AKA:
Number of sessions served 4
Sessions served
Gender: Male
Age at election: 25

Vital Records Information:

Birth
Date: 3/27/1859
City: Holland, MI
County: Ottawa County, MI
Country: US
 
Death
Date: 12/20/1930
City: the Hague
County:
Country: Netherlands
Type of Burial: interred
Burial
Date:
City: Holland, MI
County: Ottawa County, MI
Country: US
Cemetery: Pilgrim Home Cemetery

Marital Information:
married Mary E. Alcott, dau. of Sarah Alcott, 10/27/1885 in Holland, MI; children: 4, Margurite, Marie, Willis and Gerrit J., jr; married Leona M.

Number of Children: 4

Background

Religion: Reformed Church in America [Dutch Reformed]
Military Service:
Occupation: lawyer, businessman, manufacturer, banker, diplomat
Race: Caucasian or White

Education:
graduated from Hope College, Holland, MI, 1881 & the law dept of the University of Michigan, 1883

Biographical Sketch:
Son of Wiepke and Hendrikje (Stegeman) Diekema. His family moved to Michigan in 1848. Admitted to the bar 1883; practiced in Holland, MI. Mayor of Holland, MI, 1895, member of the city board of education for many years; a trustee at Hope College; member of the board of directors of the State Pioneer Society. Bank president.

Notable Facts:
Speaker of the state House in 1889-90; member of the Spanish Treaty Claims Comm. from 1901 until he resigned in 1907; elected 4/27/1907, to the 60th Congress to fill the vacancy caused by the resignation of William Alden Smith; re-elected 61st Congress serving from 1908-1911; appointed U.S. Minister to the Netherlands by Pres. Hoover on 8/20/1929, serving until his death in The Hague, 1930.

Sessions Served:

Thirty-Sixth Legislature, 1891-1892
Chamber: House
Party: Republican
Committees Served On: Judiciary , Railroads , School of Mines, Special Committee on Soldiers' Home Investigation
Postions Held:

City of Residence: Holland
County of Residence Ottawa
District: Ottawa 1
District Description: Cities of Grand Haven and Holland; townships of Grand Haven, Holland, Olive and Spring Lake

Date Elected: 11/4/1890
Date Sworn In: 1/7/1891
Date Left Office:

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

Maritial Status: Married
Notes:
Thirty-Fifth Legislature, 1889-1890
Chamber: House
Party: Republican
Committees Served On:
Postions Held: Speaker

City of Residence: Holland
County of Residence Ottawa
District: Ottawa 1
District Description: Townships of Grand Haven, Holland and Olive

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

Reason for Leaving Office: N/A
End of Term Status: Re-elected

Maritial Status: Unknown
Notes:
Thirty-Fourth Legislature, 1887-1888
Chamber: House
Party: Republican
Committees Served On: Drainage , Judiciary , State House of Correction
Postions Held:

City of Residence: Holland
County of Residence Ottawa
District: Ottawa 1
District Description: Townships of Grand Haven, Holland, Olive and Spring lake; city of Grand Haven and Holland in Ottawa County

Date Elected: 11/2/1886
Date Sworn In: 1/5/1887
Date Left Office:

Reason for Leaving Office: N/A
End of Term Status: Re-elected

Maritial Status: Married
Notes:
Thirty-Third Legislature, 1885-1886
Chamber: House
Party: Republican
Committees Served On: Drainage , Immigration, Rules and Joint Rules
Postions Held:

City of Residence:
County of Residence Ottawa
District: Ottawa 1
District Description:

Date Elected: 11/4/1884
Date Sworn In: 1/7/1885
Date Left Office:

Reason for Leaving Office: N/A
End of Term Status: Re-elected

Maritial Status: Single
Notes:

Bibliography:

CongBio p.942; PolGryd; USCen 1880, 1920; MIMar 1868-1925; Manual 1885 p.158, 571; Nimmo, portrait p.37; Men of Progress p.366, includes portrait; MICoMarRec 1822-1940; USCen 1900, 1930
View Bibliographical Sources