As a boy Jacob came to America around 1873 with his family. Mary also came across with her family when she was young.

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. Mary was known as a gentle and good woman.

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. After his death, Mary remained on the farm with son Gerrit.

Jacob is buried in North Holland Cemetery (R6 B4 L10), with Mary next to him (R6 B4 L11).