Bucks County PA Archives Biographies.....Ommeren, John V., Prof.
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File contributed for use in USGenWeb Archives by:
Joe Patterson, Patricia Bastik & Susan Walters Dec 2009

Source: History of Bucks County, Pennsylvania; edited by 
J.H. Battle; A. Warner & Co.; 1887
Richland Township N-Z


   PROFESSOR JOHN V. OMMEREN teacher, P.O. Quakertown, Pa., 
the efficient principal of the Maple seminary of Quakertown, 
was born December 8, 1853, in the village of Ingen, in the 
Netherlands, and came to America when fourteen years of age, 
with his parents John and Alida (Van Hattem) Ommeren.  They 
are residents of the county, and he lived with them till he 
started out to "paddle his own canoe."  Upon his arrival in 
this country he applied himself diligently to the study of 
English, and in three years obtained a certificate and began 
teaching, at the age of 17.  He worked on a farm and after 
giving his father a portion of his wages, with the residue 
paid his board and tuition in preparing himself for his 
vocation.  At the age of 20 he engaged in merchandising at 
Fricks with a capital of $40, but having good credit he was 
enabled to stock his store and continued there successfully 
for five years.  The business not being congenial to his 
tastes he sold out and resumed teaching in Hilltown and New 
Britain townships.  In the fall of 1880 he came to 
Quakertown and has since been principal of the High school, 
and in charge of the schools of the borough, which under his 
management have been brought to a thriving and prosperous 
condition.  June 6, 1878, he was married to Emma R., 
daughter of Elias R. and Margaret (Gerhart) Heckler, natives 
of this county.  They have one child, Henrietta.  He is a 
member of the Reformed church and superintendent of the 
Sabbath school.  Mr. Ommeren has three brothers:  Yost, a 
wheelwright in Norristown; Peter, a farmer in Hilltown 
township; and Henry, a minister of the Reformed Episcopal 
church in Philadelphia.