Albert
van Raalte was
born in Holland. He was an opponent of
the Dutch Reformed Church and was imprisoned several times for holding
unauthorized church services. Van Raalte eventually decided to emigrate
to America.
In 1846 van Raalte and fifty of his followers settled along the Black
River in western Michigan (modern Grand Rapids). Within two years
there were over 4,000 people living in New Holland. Other religious
figures who opposed the State Church such as Cornelius Van der Meulen,
Martin Ypma and Jannes Van De Luyster also joined the New Holland
community.
Von Raalte established schools, colleges and a theological seminary
in the area. He also worked with Gerrit
Van Schelven in establishing newspapers such as De Hollander,
Holland City News and De Hope. Van Raalte also published
Dutch-language books.
A strong opponent of slavery, Van Raalte
urged his followers to vote for Abraham Lincoln
and the Republican Party in 1860.
Many joined the Union Army and fought during the Civil
War.
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