From: A Twentieth Century History of Allegan
County, Michigan
By
Henry F. ThomasPublished 1907, Lewis Publishing Co.
WILLIAM R. TAKKEN.—In
this day and age when bank failures are far too prevalent and unscrupulous
speculation is indulged in with other people's money it is gratifying to the
public to find a man in whom trust can be safely placed and in whose care their
earnings, accumulated by hard labor and incessant toil, are secure. Mr. Takken is justly regarded as a most reliable business man,
well qualified for the care of the financial interests of others as cashier of
the Fruit Growers' State Bank of Saugatuck.
He has occupied this
position continuously since the organization of the bank in 1896 and is a most
popular and trustworthy official. Mr. Takken was born
in Fillmore township, Allegan county, in 1871, and is
a son of R. and Gertrude (Wilterdink) Takken, both of whom were natives of the
He finally removed to
Fillmore, purchased a home there and followed his trade in the town. He was a
worthy man, a good husband and father and many excellent traits of character
won for him the esteem and admiration of those with whom he was brought in
contact. He was born in 1834 and died in 1899. His wife, whose birth occurred
in 1835, came with her parents to this country in 1847, and the family was an old
one in
Mr.
and Mrs. Takken became the parents of eight children,
six of whom are living, namely, Evart, Albert, Gertrude, Daniel, Richard and
William R. The last named was reared and educated in his native
township and his younger years were spent in clerical employment. He was for
some time a clerk in a store at Saugatuck and in 1896 he accepted his present
responsible position as cashier of the Fruit Growers State Bank of Saugatuck,
upon its organization. This bank is capitalized for twenty-five thousand
dollars and was conducted as a private institution until October, 1906, when it
became a state bank. The president is A. B. Taylor and under the management of
this gentleman and of Mr. Takken the bank has made
steady and substantial progress and is an institution the value of which to the
community can hardly be overestimated.
In March, 1889, was celebrated the marriage of
Mr. Takken and Miss Ruby McDonald, a daughter of
Henry A. and Abigail (Williams) McDonald. They now have an interesting little
daughter, Helen, who was born in 1899. Mr. Takken has
been honored with various local offices, his fellow townsmen recognizing his
ability and fitness for such positions. He has been treasurer of the village of
Saugatuck for several years, was township clerk for two years and has also
served on the board of education and acted as its treasurer. Fraternally he is
connected with Saugatuck Lodge No. 328, F. & A. M., with