B. J. DE VRIES, D.D.S. B. J. De Vries, D.D.S. There is no profession which meets the popular needs more than that of a dentist. He confers a boon on suffering humanity, and supplies that which is either deficient or destroyed in nature to complete the appearance and enhance the comfort of his clients. Therefore, no public servant deserves more grateful recognition at our hands than the dentist. Among the most successful practitioners of that art in the city of Holland, Mich., is Dr. B. J. De Vries, who is a responsible dentist, with an established reputation for ability and skill. Dr. De Vries is a native of Holland Township, this county, and as he has spent the principal part of his life here, the people have had every opportunity to judge his character and qualifications. His birth occurred November 20, 1858, and he is the son of John De Vries, and grandson of Berend DeVries, both natives of Holland. The grandfather was educated in his native country, was married there, and in 1847, on account of religious persecution, left the land of his birth and crossed the ocean to the United States, being among the first settlers of Holland township, Ottawa County. There he entered land from the government, but as it was a forest he began clearing and improving, and soon had eighty acres of well-cultivated land. On this he resided until he reached advanced years, and then went to live with his son and near his grandson, Henry De Vries. He and his worthy companion are now eighty-seven years of age, but enjoy comparatively good health. Both have been very active church members and hold membership in the Reformed Church, in which they are highly esteemed. John De Vries, father of our subject and son of the honored old couple mentioned above, was but eleven years of age when he cane with his parents to the wilds of Michigan. He assisted his father in clearing the home place, and amid rude surroundings grew to sturdy manhood. He was married to Everdina Rysdorp, a native of the Netherlands and daughter of Henry Rysdorp who came to the United States with many others in 1847. John De Vries remained on the old home place, engaged in farming, until about thirty-four years of age. Later he followed lumbering in Ottawa and Antrim Counties, and has continued this business ever since. He and his wife are now residing in Grand Rapids. They became the parents of five children: Minnie, Mrs. Moerdyk; Henry and Albert De Vries; Katie, Mrs. Keppel, and our subject. In politics, the father is a strong Republican, and in religion a member of the Reformed Church, in which he was a deacon in Zeeland for many years. The original of this notice was reared on his father’s farm in Holland Township, and graduated from Hope College with the degree of A. B. in 1880. He took the full course in college, and afterwards took a course of dental surgery in the Michigan State University, graduating in 1882. Immediately afterwards he came to Holland and entered upon a successful career as a dentist. This he has followed ever since, and has met with flattering success. In the year 1884 he was married to Miss Grace L. Boer, daughter of John Boer, who was also born in Holland. Three children have blessed this union: John Theodore, Bernard George and Eveline Grace. Mr. De Vries’ office is located in the First State Bank Building and he has pleasant and attractive rooms. In politics he is a Republican and, like his immediate progenitors, is a member of the Reformed Church and a deacon in the same, having held that position for six years. He devotes his entire time to his practice and is one of the very best dentists of the city.

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

Transcriber: Charles Armstrong
Created: 6 May 2003
URL: Return to Bios Index