N. J. GESMAN, JR.

Was born in Pella the first day of November, 1865. He received a common school
education and after leaving school, clerked in Pella stores for a number of
years. In 1888 he removed to Beatrice, Nebraska, where he clerked for several
years and then moved to Des Moines, where he clerked in a clothing store for
about four years and later had charge of the Smith Premier Typewriter business.
He came back to Pella in 1900 and made a home for his mother, who was a widow,
and entered the real estate business, which he has followed up to the present
time. In 1909 he was elected mayor of Pella, and was re-elected in 1911. It was
during that period that the water, light and sewer plants were installed and the
preliminary steps taken to pave the streets. N. J. is the candidate for
representative of Marion county, on the democratic ticket, for the election to
be held in November, 1922.

G. A. VAN DER MEULEN   MRS. G. A. VAN DER MEULEN

G. A. VAN DER MEULEN

Was born in Bergom, Netherlands, April 15, 1845. He came to Pella with his
parents in 1849 and received his education in the public schools. On the 13th
day of May, 1874, he was married to Miss Petronella Kramer, who survives him and
is living in California. In 1881 G. A. and his brother, Harry H., started the
store that later developed into one of the largest retail concerns in this part
of the state. G. A. was a man of keen business judgment and he possessed the
courage to back it. In addition to the mercantile business he invested largely
in land and other real estate, and a considerable part of the fortune he made
was due to wise investments. In 1906 he retired from active participation in the
mercantile business and removed to California, where he died December 12, 1916.