John H. Schouten collection of Michigan National Guard remembrances
Scope and Contents
Contains twelve photographic prints of various groups in the Michigan National Guard, 1882-1929. The prints are both group shots as well as composites and feature uniforms, equipment and camp facilities. Also included is a photo of the Company K Indoor Baseball team from the turn of the century. Apparently the original collection consisted of more prints, as is evidenced by a numbering scheme, but the current collection is all that remains.
Added to the collection June 1999 are 11 photographs, 2 enlistment books, ca. 1883, ca. 1890, one volume, Custer Guard Veteran’s Association Minutes, 1923-1931, and six folders of material relating to the Custer Guard.
Added to the collection Jan. 2001, is one publication, 1895 on the Innes Rifles, Prize Drill.
Added 2001.114, 1 Christmas card from General & Mrs. J.H. Schouten, with the image of their house at 927 Iroquois SE, on the cover, n.d., ca. 1928-1940.
Dates
- 1882-1929
Biographical / Historical
A native of Drenthe, Ottawa County, John H. Schouten (1870-1961) joined the Michigan National Guard in 1889 as a private. He rose through the ranks and became a Brigadier General in 1926. He saw action in the Spanish-American War, along the Mexican border in 1915 under Pershing and ten months overseas during World War I. He likewise rose from bank bookkeeper (Michigan Trust Company) in 1900 to bank president (American National Bank) in 1929. Schouten was active in the Michigan National Guard until retiring in 1933 and is credited with helping to reorganize the Michigan Guard following World War I and with building the National Guard Armory that stood on Michigan Avenue, opposite the Grand Rapids Brewing Company.
Grace & John H. Schouten addresses per City Directory
Some earlier addresses under his name only include: 116 Spring, 21 Cass, 102 James, 221 Calkins Ave.
1914-1926 739 Fairview Ave.
1927 Mackinaw Dr. SE
1928-1940 927 Iroquois Dr. SE
1941-1942 324 Orchard Hill SE
1943-1948 319 Auburn Ave. SE
1949-1960 2134 San Lue Rae Dr. SE. EGR
Extent
2.4 Linear Feet (Three boxes)
Language of Materials
English
Abstract
John H. Schouten (1870-1961) was active in the Michigan National Guard from 1889 through 1933. This collection originally contained twelve photographic prints of various groups in the Michigan National Guard, 1882-1929. The images include group shots and show uniforms, equipment, camp facilities and the Company K Indoor Baseball Team. The collection continues to grow as more items associated with Schouten are identified. Also included is personal and biographical data related to Schouten, additional photographs, two enlistment books from circa 1883 and 1890, material related to the Custer Guard and an 1895 publication on the Innes Rifles, Prize Drill.
Immediate Source of Acquisition
John H. Schouten, circa 1940. Accession numbers include C17:BH1-5; 00.[596].1; 2001.114.
- Title
- Finding Aid for the John H. Schouten collection of Michigan National Guard remembrances
- Status
- Completed
- Author
- Richard H. Harms
- Date
- November 1988
- Description rules
- Describing Archives: A Content Standard
- Language of description
- Undetermined
- Script of description
- Code for undetermined script
Repository Details
Part of the Grand Rapids History Center Repository
Grand Rapids Public Library
111 Library Street NE
Grand Rapids Michigan 49503 USA
616-988-5497
localhis@grpl.org