Cornelius Dalenberg. The spirit of self-help is the source of all genuine worth in the individual. It enables a man to accomplish much in the face of difficulties and obstacles and promotes determination and persistency of purpose that ultimately lead to tangible and desirable results. It has been this spirit in Mr. Dalenberg that has won for him a place among the respected and substantial residents of Three Oaks township, where he is now engaged in general farming, his home being in section 35. He was born in Roseland, Cook county, Illinois, September 29, 1851, and is a son of Peter and Lyntie (Vander Syde) Dalenberg, both of whom were natives of Holland, whence they came to the United States in 1849. They crossed the Atlantic on the same vessel although they were not married at that time. They both went to Chicago, and afterward were married, continuing their residence at Roseland in Cook county until called to their final rest. The father died in his sixtyninth year, and the mother passed away in her seventy-first year. In her family were fifteen children, of whom six reached years of maturity: Cornelius, of this review; Leonard, who died in Chikaming township, Berrien county; Nicholas, who is living in Dodge county, Minnesota; Mrs. Katie Gouwens, of South Holland, Illinois; and George and Peter, who are living in Roseland, Illinois.

In the place of his nativity Cornelius Dalenberg spent the first twenty-three years of his life. He was reared to farm work and acquired his education in the district schools, gaining a knowledge of those branches of learning which equip one for life's practical and responsible duties. At the age of twenty-three years he left home and for a time was engaged in draying. He did much teaming for George M. Pullman, and he engaged in hunting prairie chickens where the town of Pullman now stands. Before bringing his family to Berrien county he purchased the farm upon which he now resides, becoming owner of eighty acres in Three Oaks township. His place is now improved with good buildings and he has set out a large orchard, having ten acres planted to apples, pears and peaches. He follows the methods of a practical, progressive agriculturist and has good fruit crops, while his fields yield him large harvests of golden grain. He works diligently and persistently to cultivate and improve his property and as the years have gone by he has converted it into a valuable farm.

As a companion and helpmate for life's journey Mr. Dalenberg chose Miss Johanna Kemp, to whom he was married in 1872. She was born in Holland, December 4, 1854, and came to the United States in 1869, the family home being established in South Holland, Illinois. After one year they removed to Chicago. Her parents were Henry N. and Nellie A. (Ridder) Kemp, both of whom now reside in Roseland, Illinois. In their family were five children, of whom Mrs. Dalenberg is the eldest, the others being: Cornelius P., of Berrien county; Peter, who is living in Muskegon, Michigan; John James, a resident of Mishawaka, Indiana; and Mrs. Margaret Boswinkel, whose home is in Thayer, Indiana.. The marriage of Mr. and Mrs. Dalenberg has been blessed with eight children: Nellie; Peter, who is attending college in Kalamazoo; Lina; Bertha; Kate and Henry, twins; George; and Margaret.

Mr. Dalenberg is a member of the Congregational Church and his political support is given to the Republican party. He has been a member of the board of education at Three Oaks for the past five years and the cause of education finds in him a warm and stalwart friend. He was an elder in the Holland Church for a number of years and has served on the prudential committee of the church, to which he now belongs, for several years past. His endorsement and co-operation are given to every movement for intellectual or moral progress and hislife has always been consistent with advancement in these directions. He has provided his children with good educational privileges, his eldest son being a graduate of the Normal School, while Henry is a student in the high school. His life has been useful, his actions manly and sincere, and in the business world he has made a good name, his life being an exemplification of business possibilities in America, which are open to young men of determination, energy and business reliability.