The Lamers: John P. and Johanna
Written by their son-in-law, Gerrit Bos
The first time I really got to know my father-in-law, Mr. John P. Lamer, was when Petilda, now my wife, invited me to come into the house. When she asked me to come again, I said, "Did you see how black your Dad looked when I came in?" She said that it natural for him to look black. I now have happy memories of him. Our marriage date was Feb. 5, 1926.
Johanna (Marlink), his wife, had charge of the Borculo telephone switchboard which was located in the house. All five daughters worked on the switch board until they got married. A few years after all the girls were married, the board was moved across the road to the G. Talsma house. The next move put the exchange in the home of L. Vanden Berg on 96th Street. The last move was across the street, before the telephone system was changed over to automatic service.
John P. Lamer was a carpenter, brick layer, plumber, building mover, and electrician. I worked for him two summers. We moved chicken coops, barns, and one church. The church we moved stood on the corner of 28th St. and Byron Center Ave. The building was moved 1/2 mile north, and was sold to an Adventist congregation, who later sold the property to a Spanish Church, which uses the building today. The Christian Reformed congregation build a new church on their now vacant lot.
J.P. had a wonderful nature. During the depression and living next door to him, I could keep an eye on him pretty well. One time he had me fooled. Something was going on that I could not figure out. Finally I caught him - in his workshop. He had made himself a dental plate, top and bottom. He asked, "How do they look?" I said, "You better not go into the woods -- you are liable to be taken for a wild animal and be shot!" He had made his teeth out of aluminum. I told him he should make the teeth out of bone. So he made another set, using cow bone for teeth this time. Dentists saw the set and told him he did a good job with material he had available.
J.P. was also a barn builder. When he had a barn all completed, he would string a harpoon rope from one beam to another, take his shoes off, and with a long pole to balance himself, walk the rope like a tomcat. He had no fear of heights.
About fifteen years before he died he suffered a severe stroke. He was in bed for 1/2 year and never was able to talk again, although he did learn to walk with a cane. He died in 1950. His wife died in 1959.
Written by
Gerrit Bos, deceased, for the Zeeland Historical Society.
Gerrit Bos, deceased, for the Zeeland Historical Society.