HENRY DE KRUIF Henry De Kruif. Among the successful enterprises owned and conducted by the citizens of Zeeland may be mentioned the agricultural-implement business, of which the subject of this sketch is the genial proprietor. In the year 1882 he located in this village and embarked in the business in which he has since engaged. So greatly has he prospered that in 1892 he erected a commodious and substantial building, admirably adapted to the needs of his trade and stocked with a complete assortment of first-class farming machinery. He gives employment to five men, and sells a large number of implements throughout the county. A native of Ottawa County, our subject was born at his father’s home on section 17, Zeeland Township, and is the son of Henry and Dena (Van DeLuyster) De Kruif. His paternal grandfather, Anthony De Kruif, was a laborer in Holland, and had a family of two sons and four daughters. Of these children, John emigrated to America and died while serving in the Union army during the Civil War; Henry is the father of the subject of this sketch; and Peternella is Mrs. John Peck, and resides in Greenville. Henry De Kruif, Sr., was born in Gelderland, Holl;and, July 25, 1817, and was reared to manhood in the land of his birth. Emigrating to America in 1846, he accompanied Dr. A.C.Van Raalte to Holland, Mich., but soon afterwards came to Zeeland. As he soon gained considerable knowledge of the English language, he was employed by the firm of Rabbers & Reeken to do business for them among the English-speaking people. After engaging in the mercantile business for two years, he purchased an eighty-acre tract of land, which he cleared and improved and upon which he conducted agricultural operations. In 1861, he moved to the village of Holland, where for three years he engaged in the butcher business, and later carried on a tannery. He returned to his farm in 1886 and there remained, engaged in agricultural pursuits, until the spring of 1892, when he came to the village of Zeeland, and now lives retired from active labors. Politically, Henry De Kruif, Sr., was a Democrat prior to 1860, since which time he has been an active member of the Republican party. In his religious belief he is a member of the Reformed Church, in which he has officiated as Deacon. He was twice married. His first wife bore him one son, Geerlinus E., now a resident of Grand Rapids. She died in Holland when comparatively young. The second marriage of Mr. De Kruif resulted in the birth of eight children: Johannes, Anthony, Dina J., Hendrika (who died at the age of thirteen), Henry, William, Peter J. and James. The mother of this family was born in Zeeland, Holland, December 22, 1824, being the daughter of Jannes and Dina (Naaije) Van DeLuyster, who came to the United States in 1847, and located in Zeeland, where the father dealt in real estate. He engaged in farming, and accumulated large and valuable land possessions. A benevolent man, kind and whole-souled, he was highly regarded in this community, and was the "court of arbitration" for all who were in trouble in the community. The subject of this sketch was reared on the home farm and received a commercial education at Grand Rapids. At the age of twenty-three he began in life for himself. In 1880, as above stated, he came to Zeeland, where he since has conducted an extensive and profitable business. His attention is devoted closely to his business, and he has very little time for political affairs. However, he is interested in everything pertaining to the welfare of his community, and casts his ballot for the candidates and principals of the Republican party. His fellow-citizens have frequently solicited him to accept nomination for offices of trust, but he has steadily refused all such honors, preferring to give his attention exclusively to his business affairs. The marriage of Mr. De Kruif occurred April 11, 1889, and united him with Miss Henderika J. Kremer, who was born in Holland. Her parents, Rev. J. and Maria Koeze) Kremer, were also natives of Holland, whence they emigrated to the United States in 1878, and are at present living in Detroit, Mich. One son has blessed the union of Mr. and Mrs. De Kruif, Paul Henry. The religious home of the family is in the Dutch Reformed Church, now known as the Reformed Church of America. In the social circles of Zeeland Mr. DeKruif is well known, and with his excellent wife occupies a high place in the regard of all who know him.

Portrait & Biographical Record of Muskegon & Ottawa Counties, Michigan 1893, Chicago: Biographical Publishing Company 

Transcriber: Charles Armstrong
Created: 17 October 2003
URL: Return to Bios Index