Jacob (Jakob) Mulder

As a boy Jacob came to America in 1866 with his family.

Later Jacob bought the South Olive farm from Aart van 't Groenewoud, his stepfather, at 15 cents an acre (map of farm). Due to Jacob's ill health and heart problems, the farm, 140 acres in 1897, was poorly managed, though he did hire a maid and a man to run the farm. Unfortunately, they owned the worst clay farm in the area, and much of the land was swampy. Once lightning struck some exposed muck, and underground it burned for two years. The area later became known as "The Willows."

Jacob did, however, bult the first wooden windmill well in the neighborhood, and many people came over to use it. By 1912 the family owned 100 acres, and were neighbors with Derk and Gezina Arens, who became good friends.

Jacob was a gentle man, who spent many of his last days lying outside to breathe more easily. He died of a heart attack under a nearby tree.

Jacob is buried in North Holland Cemetery (R6 B4 L10).