History of Ottawa County, Michigan with illustrations and biographical sketches of some of its prominent men and pioneers.

- v
-
94

A en
(I

t

- -

I
i
I I,I
I

I
I

I

94

HISTORY OF OTTAWA COUNTY.

andtunsotl 10 agos nd60slegh anualy eploin egh

and turns out 150 wagons and 60 sleighs annually, employing eight
men.
THE DE PREE & VAN BREE PUMP AND CARRIAGE MANUFACTORY
was established in 1875 by its present owners. The size of the
main building is 45x60. Lumber sheds, 40x80. The machinery
consists of a planer, matcher, two rip-saws, turning lathes and boring
machine, propelled by a 25-horse power engine, and turns out 300
pumps, 60 wagons, and a like number of sleighs, annually. The firm
also keep on hand an assortment of lumber for custom.
UNITY FLOUR AND CUSTO.M MILLS
are owned and operated by Keppel & De Roo. Formerly it was a
water mill located about two miles south of Zeeland, but in 1872 it
was moved to Zeeland and run by a 65-horse power steam engine. It
runs three sets of buhrs, 4, 38 and 3 feet in size, with a capacity of
100 bbls. of flour and two car-loads of feed for each twventy-four
hours.
BIOGRAPHICAL.
JOHN DE KRUIF was born in Zeeland, Ottawa County, Mic.,
May 24, 1850; labored eon the farm till 1865, when he learned the
blacksmith's trade. Subsequently he carried on business on his
own account till 1879, when lie entered the firm of TWichers,
De Kruif & Co., in the mlanufacture of wagons and sleighs, who
are doing an extensive business in Zeeland. He married Jan. 7,
1865, Maria Van Leeurven, and has three children.
HENRY DE KRUIF was born in the Netherlands July 25, 1817.
Emigrated with Dr. A. C. Van Raalte in the fall of 1846, and was
among the very first to settle in Zeeland. Having studied the English language, he first acted as an interpreter for a year; then he
followed the mercantile business for eight years. Subsequently he
was the proprietor of a meat market, and built and operated a tannery. At present Mr. De Kruif is engaged in farming on Sec. 17,
Zeeland Township. He was married Sept. 1, 1843, to Elizabeth
G. Van Bekum, who died in 1846. Second marriage March 5,
1848, to Dina Van De Luyster, who was born in the Netherlands
Nov. 28, 1824.

DR. DANIEL BAERT was born in the Netherlands MAay 23, 1839.
Settled with his father in Zeeland in 1848. His father, George
Henry Baert, was born Feb. 27, 1810, and engaged after his arrival
in Zeeland in the mercantile business, which he followed till his
death, which occurred May 30, 1855. The subject of this sketch
received his primary education in Zeeland. Studied medicine with
Dr. Van Den Berg, and commenced practice in 1862, which he still
continues. He has been President of Zeeland village since its incorporation in 1875. He was married Oct. 15, 1864, to Kate Boonstra, who was born Feb.26, 1839, and has four living children.
JAcoB DEN HERDER, Of Zeeland village, was born in Prov. Zeeland, Netherlands. At the age of thirteen emigrated in 1817 with
his parents to the United States. The ocean voyage took sixty-three
days to New York, and then by scow to Albany and canal boat to
Buffalo took fourteen days; thence by steamer to Chicago and by
vessel to the mouth of Black River taking again fourteen days, and
by flat boat to the forest city of Holland. After a stay there of three
weeks with seven families in one log hut, the final trip was taken
by ox-wagon eight miles east into the Township of Zeeland. On
arrival, not a house was built nor an acre of ground was improved '
in the whole township. Very soon, however, log huts were in
construction and lands improved under severe hardships. His first
occupation till the age of 18 was chopping trees and splitting oak
staves; from 18 to 28 years was engaged in teaching school at
Vriesland, Mich. In 1856 he was married to Miss Adriana Klasen,
who was born in the same province and of same age. Issue thereof
still alive, two sons and three daughters. Quitting school teaching,
he commenced general country store at same place for about seven
years; moved thence to Zeeland into the gristmill business for four
years, and thereupon opened a banking office at said place; has for
for many years occupied the office of Township Clerk, and for about
tjhree years the office of Supervisor. Was in 1876 chosen Presidential Elector for the 5th District of Michigan, on the Republican
ticket. After election his citizenship was called in question, and he
was by the Congressional investigating committee subpoenaed to appear before said committee at Washington; naturalization papers
being found in order, the vote was confirmed.

t

1l

L

I

s-..r7 P

rV