Biography of Cornelius J. De Roo CORNELIUS J. DE ROO is the very efficient Secretary and manager of the Walsh-De Roo Milling Company, of Holland, Michigan. Mr. De Roo was born in this county March 19, 1855, and was named for his father, who came to this country from his native land, Holland, about 1847, his birth having occurred in 1834. He settled almost immediately in Holland Township, where he at once turned his attention to milling, erecting the first mill that was ever put up in that section, about three miles east of Holland, in 1852. He lived only a short time thereafter, his death occurring on the 2d of September, 1855. He was married to Elizabeth Vandermeulen, a daughter of Rev. Cornelius Vandermeulen, who was the leader of the Holland colonists who settled and founded Zeeland. Mrs. De Roo was born in Holland, and was married to Mr. De Roo in 1854, her death occurring in 1871. The subject of this sketch was the only child born to his parents, and after the death of his father he went to live with his maternal grandfather at Grand Rapids, Michigan. There he received a good, practical education in the public schools, and after finishing at the High School he entered the Business College of Grand Rapids, from which he graduated. He later became a book-keeper for a firm of that city, but when he attained to the age of twenty-four years he went to Zeeland and engaged in milling in partnership with H. Keppel, the firm name being Keppel & De Roo. He remained at that place until 1882, since which time he has been a resident of Holland, and soon after coming here organized the Walsh-De Roo Milling Company for the building of the mill, of which he is Secretary and manager, it being the first roller-mill erected within a radius of one hundred miles of this city. The positions he occupies have been filled with great credit to himself, and he has clearly demonstrated that he is a man of sound intelligence and correct principles. The officers are: Isaac Cappon, President, and H. Walsh, Vice-President. The capacity of the mill is four hundred barrels per day and two carloads of feed and meal, and the capital stock of the concern amounts to $66,000. Mr. De Roo is the Secretary of the Holland & Chicago Transportation Company, which was organized in the fallof 1892, and which is running a daily line of steamers between Chicago and Holland. The liners consist of the propellers "City of Holland" and "Saugatuck," which are well equipped and fitted up with electriclights, etc. He is also a Director of the First State Bank of Holland. Politically, he has always been a Republican, and has served in the capacity of Mayor of Holland. He has been Alderman for two terms, a member of the Board of Education for three terms, and is now a member of the Board of Public Works, to all of which organizations he has proven an acquisition. He is a member of the Holland Improvement Association, and has in numerous other ways manifested a deep interest in the welfare of the place. In 1879 Mr. De Roo was married to Miss Sarah Van Driele, a daughter of Frank Van Driele, a dealer in flour, feed and grain at Grand Rapids, and their union has resulted in the birth of five children, of whom two are living, Margaret and Cornelius P. He and his wife are church members, and are people of high standing in Holland and move in the best social circles. |