Page 549 - Herman F. Vanderwerf. From the pioneer period in its history Michigan has had much to gain and nothing to lose from its large and fine element of Holland Dutch citizens, and the city of Grand Rapids today can claim among its successful business men many who can revert to the fair old Netherlands as the place of their nativity or ancestral lineage. Among this number stands Herman F. Vanderwerf, who was born January 23, 1890, and whose native place in the Netherlands was Joure, his father having been engaged there in the wholesale grocery business for a long period. The father, Frederick Vanderwerf, passed his entire life in his native land, there his death occurred in 1920, and there his widow still maintains her home, as do also all of their children except Herman F., of this review. Herman F. Vanderwerf received the advantages of the schools of his native country, and as a youth he was for several years associated with his father’s wholesale grocery business. In 1912, at the age of twenty-two years, he came to the United States, and on the 10^th of September of that year he arrived in Grand Rapids. For several years he was employed here in furniture factories, and in the meanwhile he supplemented his education and advanced his knowledge of the English language by attending the school maintained by the Y. M. C. A. He finally entered upon an apprenticeship to the printer’s tradesman, and for some time he was editor and publisher of a little paper or bulletin published in the Dutch language. He then took a position in the printing establishment of Howard Haas & Company, and November 11, 1918, he effected the purchase of the plant and business and organized the Vanderwerf Printing Company. In January, 1921, modern machines and other improvements were added to the equipment, and the company now has the best of facilities for handling its large business in the execution of high grade commercial and general printing of all kinds. Mr. Vanderwerf is a loyal and active member of the Grand Rapids Association of Commerce and he and his wife hold membership in the Reformed church. He first came to Michigan for the purpose of visiting kinsfolk and other friends, his intention having been to return to his native land, but so favorable was the impression made upon him by Grand Rapids that he decided to establish his permanent home here – a decision that he has never regretted. June 30, 1920, Mr. Vanderwerf was united in marriage to Miss Mary DeGroot, daughter of the late Peter DeGroot, whose widow still resides in Grand Rapids. Mr. and Mrs. Vanderwerf have one child, Marguerite, who was born July 29, 1921.