ISAAC OVERKAMP

If there is one character in the history of the past generation that stands
preeminent for great service and leadership in all that was best in the
spiritual and educational life of the community, that pre-eminence justly
belongs to Mr. Ove kamp. Equipped with exceptional educational advantages and a
high standard of Christian character, his influence for good cannot be measured
in words. He was appointed as the first schoolmaster by the Bev. H. P. Scholte,
with Henry Hospers as reserve teacher. Instruction was given in both the English
and Dutch languages. Mr. Overkamp taught the pupils those principles of the
Christian faith and character that made his own life a beacon light for good in
the community. He was born in the Netherlands February 26, 1810. He received
unusual educational advantages in his youth and chose the profession of teaching
as his life work. From the beginning of the colonizing movement in Holland he
was one of the chosen and trusted leaders, and after coming to Pella in 1847, up
to his retirement from active work because of advanced age, he filled many
positions of trust, both in civil and religious activities of the community. He
held the position of city

ISAAC OVERKAMP

treasurer from the incorporation of Pella until his voluntary retirement, with
the exception of two terms when he filled the position of mayor. He had charge
of a parochial school opened in 1861, was elder of the First Reformed Church for
many years, and was invaluable as a Bible teacher of the youth of the community.
No man connected with the history of Pella is remembered with greater respect
and if the title of "Grand old man of Pella" had ever been created, we know of
no one more justly entitled to the honor.

H. VAN GORKOM

We have been unable to obtain any data as to the time and place of Mr. Van
Gorkom's birth, or the time of his death. He came here in the early days and
filled an important place in the community, as he was one of the first
blacksmiths of Pella, in a time when this was one of the most important
industries. He continued in this work for a long period of time and had his shop
and home on Franklin street, just west of the Jacob Plender home.