Legislator Details
Don VanderWerp
AKA:
Number of sessions served 14
Gender: Male
Age at election: 47
Vital Records Information:
Birth
Date: 9/14/1885
City: Grand Rapids, MI
County: Kent County, MI
Country: US
Death
Date: 6/24/1971
City:
County:
Country:
Type of Burial:
Burial
Date:
City: Fremont MI
County:
Country:
Cemetery: Maplegrove Cemetery
Marital Information:
married Mildred Hekhuis in 1930; children: 1, Joan Marie
Number of Children: 1
Background
Religion: Methodist
Military Service:
Occupation: newspaper editor & publisher
Race:
Education:
Fremont Public Schools; Ferris Institute, Big Rapids MI; literary & law degrees, University of Michigan, 1949; Hon. Master of Public Administration, Central Michigan University, 1949; honorary Doctor of Law degrees, Michigan State University and Ferris Institute
Biographical Sketch:
Holland parentage. Nephew of John Vander Werp. Moved to Fremont with parents in 1895. Editor and publisher of Fremont Times-Indicator from 1911 to 1950. Served on the Newaygo county board of supervisors [11 years] and as its chairman; Fremont Board of Education [27 years] and as its president [23 years]; advisory member of the Michigan Economic Development Commission; Board of Directors, Old State Bank, Fremont; Methodist Church, 32nd degree Mason, Grange, Farm Bureau and Shrine.
Notable Facts:
Served on Newaygo county board of supervisors including as chairman.
Elected to House in 1932 for one term. Elected to Senate 1934, 1936, 1938, 1940, 1942, 1944, 1946, 1948, and 1950.
Member of Masons, Grange.
According to House Concurrent Resolution No. 210, p.1795, 1971 House Journal, he died 6/24/71. No city indicated.
Sessions Served:
Chamber: House
Party: Republican
Committees Served On: City Corporations , Education , Liquor Control , Public Health , Tourist Industry Relations
Postions Held:
City of Residence: Fremont
County of Residence Newaygo
District: Newaygo
District Description: Counties of Newaygo and Oceana
Date Elected: 11/6/1962
Date Sworn In: 1/9/1963
Date Left Office:
Reason for Leaving Office: Unknown
End of Term Status: Departed
Maritial Status: Married
Notes: Elected to the House 1932; elected to the Senate 1934 serving 22 years; then elected to the House 1960 and 1962
Chamber: House
Party: Republican
Committees Served On: City Corporations , Education , Geological Survey , Mental Hospitals, Public Health , Tourist Industry Relations
Postions Held:
City of Residence: Fremont
County of Residence Newaygo
District: Newaygo
District Description: Counties of Newaygo and Oceana
Date Elected: 11/8/1960
Date Sworn In: 1/11/1961
Date Left Office:
Reason for Leaving Office: N/A
End of Term Status: Re-elected
Maritial Status: Married
Notes: Elected to the House in 1932; Served in the state Senate for 22 years beginning 1934; then elected to the House in 1960.
Chair of the Committee on Mental Hospitals
Chamber: Senate
Party: Republican
Committees Served On: Appropriations , Education , Liquor Control
Postions Held:
City of Residence: Fremont
County of Residence Newaygo
District: 26
District Description: Counties of Lake, Manistee, Mason, Newaygo and Oceana
Date Elected: 11/2/1954
Date Sworn In: 1/12/1955
Date Left Office:
Reason for Leaving Office: Lost Primary
End of Term Status: Departed
Maritial Status: Married
Notes: Chair of the Committee on Education
Returned to the legislature when elected to the state House in 1960 and 1962.
Chamber: Senate
Party: Republican
Committees Served On: Appropriations , Education , Liquor Control
Postions Held:
City of Residence: Fremont
County of Residence Newaygo
District: 26
District Description: Counties of Lake, Manistee, Mason, Newaygo and Oceana
Date Elected: 11/4/1952
Date Sworn In: 1/14/1953
Date Left Office:
Reason for Leaving Office: N/A
End of Term Status: Re-elected
Maritial Status: Married
Notes: Chair of the Committee on Education
Chamber: Senate
Party: Republican
Committees Served On: Appropriations , Education , Interstate Cooperation, Liquor Control
Postions Held: President Pro Tempore
City of Residence: Fremont
County of Residence Newaygo
District: 26
District Description: Counties of Lake, Manistee, Mason, Newaygo and Oceana
Date Elected: 11/7/1950
Date Sworn In: 1/3/1951
Date Left Office:
Reason for Leaving Office: N/A
End of Term Status: Re-elected
Maritial Status: Married
Notes: Chair of the Committee on Education
Chamber: Senate
Party: Republican
Committees Served On: Education , Finance and Appropriations , Interstate Cooperation
Postions Held:
City of Residence: Fremont
County of Residence Newaygo
District: 26
District Description: Counties of Lake, Manistee, Mason, Newaygo and Oceana
Date Elected: 11/2/1948
Date Sworn In: 1/5/1949
Date Left Office:
Reason for Leaving Office: N/A
End of Term Status: Re-elected
Maritial Status: Unknown
Notes: Chair of the Committee on Education
Chamber: Senate
Party: Republican
Committees Served On: Agriculture , Education , Finance and Appropriations
Postions Held:
City of Residence: Fremont
County of Residence Newaygo
District: 26
District Description: Counties of Lake, Manistee, Mason, Newaygo and Oceana.
Date Elected: 11/5/1946
Date Sworn In: 1/1/1947
Date Left Office:
Reason for Leaving Office: N/A
End of Term Status: Re-elected
Maritial Status: Married
Notes: Chair of the Committee on Education
Chamber: Senate
Party: Republican
Committees Served On: Finance and Appropriations , State Affairs , Agriculture , Labor
Postions Held:
City of Residence: Fremont
County of Residence Newaygo
District: 26
District Description: Counties of Lake, Manistee, Mason, Newaygo and Oceana.
Date Elected: 11/7/1944
Date Sworn In: 1/3/1945
Date Left Office:
Reason for Leaving Office: N/A
End of Term Status: Re-elected
Maritial Status: Married
Notes: Chair of the Committee on Finance and Appropriations.
Chamber: Senate
Party: Republican
Committees Served On: Agriculture , Labor , Liquor Control, Finance and Appropriations , Taxation
Postions Held:
City of Residence: Fremont
County of Residence Newaygo
District: 26
District Description: Counties of Lake, Manistee, Mason, Newaygo, and Oceana
Date Elected: 11/3/1942
Date Sworn In: 1/6/1942
Date Left Office:
Reason for Leaving Office: N/A
End of Term Status: Re-elected
Maritial Status: Married
Notes:
Chamber: Senate
Party: Republican
Committees Served On: Agriculture , Finance and Appropriations , Insurance , Liquor Control, Taxation
Postions Held:
City of Residence: Fremont
County of Residence Newaygo
District: 26
District Description: Counties of Lake, Manistee, Mason, Newaygo and Oceana.
Date Elected: 11/5/1940
Date Sworn In: 1/1/1941
Date Left Office:
Reason for Leaving Office: N/A
End of Term Status: Re-elected
Maritial Status: Married
Notes: Chair of the Committee on Finance and Appropriations
Chamber: Senate
Party: Republican
Committees Served On: Agriculture , Liquor Control, Finance and Appropriations , Taxation , Welfare and Relief
Postions Held:
City of Residence: Fremont
County of Residence Newaygo
District: 26
District Description: Counties of Lake, Manistee, Mason, Newaygo and Oceana
Date Elected: 11/8/1938
Date Sworn In: 1/4/1939
Date Left Office:
Reason for Leaving Office: N/A
End of Term Status: Re-elected
Maritial Status: Married
Notes: Chair of the Committee on Finance and Appropriations
Chamber: Senate
Party: Republican
Committees Served On: Counties and Townships , Drainage, Finance and Appropriations , Normal Schools, Soldiers' Home , State Homes and Schools
Postions Held:
City of Residence: Fremont
County of Residence Newaygo
District: 26
District Description: Counties of Lake, Manistee, Mason, Newaygo and Oceana
Date Elected: 11/3/1936
Date Sworn In: 1/6/1937
Date Left Office:
Reason for Leaving Office: N/A
End of Term Status: Re-elected
Maritial Status: Married
Notes: Chair of the Committee on Normal Schools
Chamber: Senate
Party: Republican
Committees Served On: Apportionment , Counties and Townships , Elections , Fish and Game, Horticulture , Normal Schools, Public Health , Taxation , University
Postions Held:
City of Residence: Fremont
County of Residence Newaygo
District: 26
District Description: Counties of Lake, Manistee, Mason, Newaygo, and Oceana
Date Elected: 11/6/1934
Date Sworn In: 1/2/1935
Date Left Office:
Reason for Leaving Office: N/A
End of Term Status: Re-elected
Maritial Status: Married
Notes: Chair of the Committee on Elections
Chamber: House
Party: Republican
Committees Served On: City Corporations , General Taxation , Michigan College of Mining and Technology, Military Affairs
Postions Held:
City of Residence: Fremont
County of Residence Newaygo
District: Newaygo
District Description: Counties of Oceana and Newaygo
Date Elected: 11/8/1932
Date Sworn In: 1/4/1933
Date Left Office:
Reason for Leaving Office: See Notes
End of Term Status: Departed
Maritial Status: Married
Notes: Elected to the state senate for the 58th session.