This prominent and energetic young agriculturist of Holland Township was bornin 1865, one mile and a-half from section 22, where he now resides. He is a sonof John and Everdina (Rysdorp) DeVries, and the grandson of Bernard and AliceDeVries, both parents and grandparents natives of the Netherlands. BernardDeVries followed the occupation of a farmer, and was the owner of considerableland in his native country. He was married there, and before emigrating to theUnited States two of his children were born, John and Jerry.

In 1847, the family crossed the ocean, hoping to achieve success in the NewWorld. They had just enough money to carry them across the Atlantic, and as ittook them six weeks to make the voyage they landed in New York with very littlemeans. The fertile soil of the West tempted them to turn their faces in thatdirection, and they found their way to Holland, Mich., where they bought fortyacres of land, one and a-half miles east of our subject’s residence. Onechild, Bernard, was born after reaching this country. This worthy and muchesteemed old couple are still living, and both have reached the advanced age ofeighty-eight years, having married at the age of twenty-five. Mr. DeVries is aconsistent member of the First Reformed Church of Zeeland, and he and his wifehave ever been classed among the best and worthiest citizens of the community.

John DeVries, the father of our subject, first saw the light of day in 1836.He received his education principally in the common schools of the Netherlands.Until twenty years of age he remained under the parental roof, and then marriedMiss Everdina Rysborp, who came with her parents from Netherlands to thiscountry at an early date. After marriage, Mr. DeVries bought sixty acres of landin this township, near his father’s farm, and as the property was wild anduncultivated, he began at once to improve and make a home. To the original tracthe added from time to time, until he became the owner of one hundred andninety-five acres in Ottawa County. In addition to this he acquired eighty acresin Muskingum County, and this he owns at present.

Resting his land, Mr. DeVries embarked in the milling business on the farmnow owned by our subject, and was engaged in this enterprise for twenty-fiveyears, reaping substantial results in the mean time. Later he engaged in millingin Antrim County, and finally bought the entire mill and stock. This mill andtwo hundred thousand feet of lumber were destroyed by fire in June, 1893, and asthere was no insurance all was lost. Mr. DeVries and his worthy wife make theirhome in Grand Rapids, Mich. The five children born to them were in the order oftheir birth: Benjamin, a dentist residing in Holland; Minnie, widow of J.Moerdyk; Henry J., our subject; Albert J., residing in Grand Rapids; and Katie,the wife of Albert C. Keppel, of Holland.

The original of this notice was educated in the district schools of hisnative county, and in Hope College, Holland. He was early trained to the arduousduties of the farm, and it was but natural that when starting out for himself heshould choose agriculture for his calling in life. He was married in 1888 toMiss Dena, daughter of Wesley and Elizabeth Nibbelink, and tow children havebeen given them John W. and Elizabeth H. Socially, our subject is a member ofthe Third Reformed Church of Holland. In politics, he affiliates with theRepublican party. He commenced farming operations as a renter, and now hascontrol of one hundred and fifteen acres of his father’s land. He isenterprising and progressive and will undoubtedly gain success in life.