Diekema, Gerrit J. (Gerrit John), 1859-1930

Gerrit John Diekema received his bachelors degree from Hope College in 1881, his law degree from the University of Michigan in 1885, and an honorary law degree from Hope College in 1913. After passing the bar exam in 1883, he set up practice in Holland and formed the law firm of Diekema and Kollen in 1901 with his brother-in-law, George R. Kollen. In 1885 Diekema began his long political career with his election to the first of four terms as Michigan state representative.

Gerrit John Diekema received his bachelors degree from Hope College in 1881, his law degree from the University of Michigan in 1885, and an honorary law degree from Hope College in 1913. After passing the bar exam in 1883, he set up practice in Holland and formed the law firm of Diekema and Kollen in 1901 with his brother-in-law, George R. Kollen. In 1885 Diekema began his long political career with his election to the first of four terms as Michigan state representative.

Diekema was Chairman of the Judiciary Committee during the 1887 session, Speaker of the House in 1889, and minority leader in 1891. He continued to be active in state politics, serving as Chairman of the Republican State State Central Committee from 1900 to 1910, and again from 1927 to 1929. On the national political scene, Diekema was an active speaker in every campaign between McKinley and Hoover. It seemed that the pinnacle of Diekema's career was attained in 1929 when President Herbert Hoover appointed him as the United States Minister to the Netherlands. Diekema proved to be extremely popular with the Dutch people and served sucessfully in this capacity until his untimely death at the Hague on December 20, 1930.