Portrait and Biographical Record of Muskegon and Ottawa Counties,
Michigan, pub. 1893 Biographical Publishing Co., Chicago, Ill. page 225
ALBERS, John
the
well known and enterprising wholesale dealer in meats of all kinds, and
a commission man, the Muskegon representative of Swift & Co.,
Chicago packers and dealers in provisions, has been a leading citizen
of his present locality for thirty-six years, and has spent almost his
entire life in the State of Michigan. Born in Germany in 1842, our
subject was the son of Henry J. Albers, a man of more than ordinary
business ability, who with his family early crossed the ocean, and
located in Allegan County, Mich., where he resided until his death. He
was an extensive shipper of stock, and widely known in the Wolverine
State, commanded universal esteem. The mother, Fannie (Larman) Albers,
also a native of Germany and yet surviving her husband, continues to
make her home in Allegan County. Our subject was eight years of age
when with his parents he landed in the city of New York and journeyed
immediately after to the West. He enjoyed the benefit of a good
common-school education in the district of his home in Allegan County,
and at fifteen years of age came to Muskegon, and here received a
higher grade of instruction in the excellent public schools of the city.
In
1870 Mr. Albers engaged in the grocery business upon his own account,
and a twelvemonth later began the handling of meats, and later sold his
grocery store, continuing profitably in the meat business. In 1881 he
opened a wholesale meat establishment, second to none in the vicinity,
and still continuing successfully in this line of trade, in 1887 became
likewise a commission merchant, working in the interest of Swift &
Co., of Chicago, and handling their meats upon commission. At the
beginning of his business career our subject served a profitable
apprenticeship as a clerk in the stor eof Ryerson & Morris and
Ryers, Hills & Co., well-known and prosperous general merchants.
The four years which Mr. Albers spent with this firm gave hima clear
insight into business methods and insured him a wide acquaintance
throughout the county. He also clerked for a time in the boot and shoe
store of W. M. Sawyer, of Muskegon, and when, in 1870, he went into
business for himself, he possesseda fund of practical experience, which
was a most valuable reserve capital. In his present business, acquiring
an extensive trade, our subject has taken his place with the
substantial business men of the city and county, and in all matters of
public welfare and enterprise is ever ready to lend a helping hand.
In
1869 John Albers and Miss Emma Lake, of Muskegon, were united in
marriage. In 1883 Mr. Albers was married to his present wife, Tryntje
Ozinga, also of Muskegon. Four sons and one daughter have blessed the
home: Flora, Frank, Henry, George and James. Mrs. Albers is a valued
member of the German Reformed Church, and is active in religious and
benevolent work. The family residence is desirably located at No. 18
Sanford Street. Fraternally associated with the Maccabees and a member
of Union Tent No. 379, Mr. Albers is, politically, a Democrat, and a
strong advocate of the "Party of the People." Untroubled by aspirations
for office, our subject is yet intelligently posted in local and
national issues and is regarded by the general public as a man of
liberal spirit and a true American citizen.