The posting on the cemetery sign states that the First Burial occurred in 1848 and the Last Recorded Burial took place in 1907.
“Overisel Settlers Cemetery in Dorr Twp. on 17th Street is well cared for, however, inscriptions on some stones are almost gone, many stones are missing and broken, and some burials are without stones. Nothing unusual, as it is an old cemetery. Many times referred to as Old Overisel Cemetery, as there is another Overisel Cemetery, built to be controlled by the township, which is considered the New Overisel or just Overisel Cemetery.
In the spring of 1847, Cornelius J. Voorhorst left the Province of Overisel Holland [Netherlands] and came to Holland, Michigan. Many of the people buried in the Overisel Settlers Cemetery also came from Holland [Netherlands] before they formed the hamlet of Overisel, Michigan. Dutch followed him to Holland, Michigan and then they followed him again to Overisel Michigan.
Reverend S. Bolks, a minister in Holland [Netherlands], the fatherland, had a large congregation. Many of his congregation followed him to Overisel, Michigan. The Reverend and his following, then selected Overisel, Michigan to improve their secular and religious state. The Reformed Dutch Church had begun. In 1848, Corneluis J. Voorhorst made an exchange so that an acre of his land could be used for burial purposes.
In 1848, the first burial, a small child of Gerrit H. Velduis, took place. Immediatly after, Gerrit, the father and two other children were victims of an epidemic and they were also buried in Overisel Settlers Cemetery.
Some people that joined Reverend S. Bolks to Overisel and purchased land from him include:
Berend Wieldraayer, his wife Geertge, along with a handful of children embraced 80 acres.
Fredrik, his wife, and their children; Fredrik and Gertruida. Gerrit and Aaltje Peters and their two children owned 160 acres.
Levert Slotman left Holland in 1847, died in Syracuse, New York shortly after arrival. His widow, and five children continued on to Michigan.
Gerrit J. Haller came to the U.S. unmarried, where he met his wife, well should I say, wives.
Gerrit Maatman, and his wife Berendina, were alotted 40 acres that he farmed until his death in 1877, when his son took over the farm.
Four settlers purchased their land from the government, rather than Reverend S. Bolks. Those names you may not recognize, but they are; Gerrit M.Brouwer, Berend Timmerman, Mannes Boers (whose wife died in New York) and John Schwuurusau.”
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Overisel Settlers Cemetery
142nd Avenue
Holland, Michigan
49423