Washington

DeBOER, Joseph Arend

Encyclopedia Vermont Biography: A Series of Authentic Biographical Sketches 
of the Representative Men of Vermont and Sons of Vermont in Other States. 
Dodge. Burlington: Ullery Publishing Company, 1912, p 168-169

Joseph Arend De BOER, president, National Life Insurance Company, Montpellier 
[Washington County, Vermont], was born 17 June 1861 in Warfum, Province of 
Groningen, Holland, son of John Arend and Anje Peiter (DULPER) De BOER. 
Educated in the elementary schools of Warfum; Grammar School No. 14, Albany 
[Albany County], New York, and Albany High School, class of 1890; Dartmouth 
College, A. B., 1884; honorary degree of A. M. 1887, and Sc. D. 1909. Master 
of Holdeness School for Boys 1884-1885; principal Montpelier public schools 
1885-1889; actuary National Life Insurance Company 1889-1902, secretary 1897, 
second vice president 1900, vice president 1901, and president since 1902. 
Extensive writer on subjects relating to life [insurance] underwriting and to 
various historic features of the business. President, Montpelier Board of 
Trade.

In 1885 he [Joseph Arend DeBOER] married [Miss?] Augusta Charles Featherly of 
Albany [Albany County], New York; they had five children: Ethel Arend, 
Minnie Arend, Bertha Arend (deceased), Paul Kulper, and Elizabeth Arend, all 
born at Montpelier [Washington County, Vermont]. Republican; has been 
delegate to county and state conventions; president Young Men's Republican 
Club, McKinley campaign senator from Washington County 1900; represented 
Montpelier in the Legislature 1908; chairman Republican state convention 
1910; chairman commissions on state permanent common school fund 1904, and 
state audit 1906; has long and earnestly advocated reform in state taxation 
laws as fundamental to Vermont's progress and growth.

Mr. DeBOER made an historical address on Vermont at Jamestown in 1907, at 
Montpelier's centenary at the state capitol, and at the dedication of the new 
city hall in 1911. Episcopalian; vestryman of Christ Church, and has held 
various offices in diocesan administration; trustee of St. Johnsbury Academy, 
Montpelier Seminary, Vermont Episcopal Institute, Wood Art Gallery, and 
Washington County Grammar School. Is a 32nd degree Mason; charter member of 
the Actuarial Society of America; member of Kappa Kappa Kappa, and Phi Beta 
Kappa, Dartmouth; Vermont Historical Society; the Apollo and Country Clubs of 
Montpelier; and of many other societies in the United States.

Submitted by Cathy Kubly