James de Boer was born on April lst, 1874 in Leens, Province of Groningen, The Netherlands. He went to school till he was about ten years old, he then was employed by a farmer to help support the family. His father was unable to work, his mother ran a small grocery store to make a living. He had only a few years of schooling. Being a studious type he sought every opportunity to enhance his knowledge by reading books. He read books on many subjects, but even in his younger years his favorite books were on religion. He studied the history of his church and the doctrines it stood for. He became well familiar with such great authors as John Calvin and Dr. Abraham Kuiper and many other theologians.
He worked in Holland till he was about eighteen years old and then with the permission of his parents he emigrated to the United States and came to Chicago, Illinois, where he settled. One year later after paying off the debts incurred in coming to America, he secured passage for his parents to be here with him. Soon after this, the world s fair (Columbian Exposition) opened along the lake front in Jackson Park. Jobs were hard to get, each day he walked the streets in search for work to no avail. He finally found work at a mill work shop called Lockwood & Strickland Co. He earned six dollars per week. He then saved some money to buy a horse and wagon and so started a business that was known as J. de Boer Coal and Wood, Moving and expressing. To this was added Hay, Grain and Feed.
This business grew as time went on. The kindling wood part of the business became quite a large factor in its operation. A contract was made with the South Side Lumber Co. This firm was a dealer in hardwood flooring, they cut this lumber to length as the customer required. The trimmings were pct on a pile and disposed of as wood for coal and wood burning stoves. The contract called for the disposal of all their output; this was delivered to all parts of the city and suburbs for $4.00 per single wagon loads. The drivers usually made two short hauls and one long one per day. If the output was more than they had orders for, it was brought to the storage yard for delivery in the winter season when the demand was greater.