Holland City News, Saturday, March 11, 1893

The sudden death of Mr. Grootenhuis, on Friday, March 3^rd, mentioned in the News of last week, has created a painful and lasting vacancy in the ranks of our first settlers. His life and services during the early period of the Holland colony made him a prominent character, and his departure had revived, for the time being, much of the written and unwritten reminiscences of that period.

The deceased was born Sept. 12, 1814, at Ommen, Netherlands. In 1846, he joined the first party of emigrants that were destined to be the fore-runners of a large exodus and the pioneers of an extensive colonization in several of the western states. This party was under the direct leadership of the late Dr. Van Raalte.

They embarked on an American brig, the "Southerner", and weighed anchor at Rotterdam in September, 1846, crossed the Atlantic in 47 days, arrived in New York, Nov. 4, and proceeded thence via Buffalo and Cleveland to Detroit, where they spent the greater part of the winter, continuing their journey via Kalamazoo and Allegan to these regions in February, 1847, when they erected their first log huts east of the present city.

Mr. Grootenhuis, although a painter by trade, had mastered surveying, and as such he was enabled during the early years to render the colonists in the various localities most valuable services, which were duly appreciated. He was also one of the trustees for the platted village, to regulate the sale of lots and the trust funds accruing there from.

In another capacity also, he filled a very important position during the first and second year of the colony, and that was as manager of the "colony store." As the winter of 1847-‘48 approached, it was evident that some supplies had to be gathered, sufficient to last them until the opening of navigation in the spring. A meeting of all the colonists, including those who had settled in what is now Zeeland, was called, to devise ways and means in that direction.

It was proposed to appoint someone to go east, among the friends of the Hollanders, to buy an assorted stock of goods and provisions, each head of a family to contribute according to what scanty means he had left. Mr. Grootenhuis was selected as such agent, and with him was also sent Mr. Young, of Grand Rapids, the father of the first supervisor of Zeeland Township. He continued in charge of this store for over a year, and until its dissolution. About this time he purchased the forty-acre tract of land on Sixteenth Street, which he has improved, and a part of which he has ever since continued to own as his home.

For a period of ten years, from ’52-’62, Mr. Grootenhuis made his home again in
Detroit and Grand Rapids, following his trade, at the expiration of which he returned to Holland.

In 1867, when the city was incorporated and set-off from Holland Township, he was elected supervisor of the township, and served in that capacity for three years. Later on the board of supervisors appointed him county drain commissioner, which position he held for four years. Upon the organization of Hope Reformed Church, in 1861, Mr. Grootenhuis, with the late Dr. B. Ledeboer, were elected the first elders.

Mr. Grootenhuis was a man of bright intellect, but not free from eccentricities. He possessed many of the traits, virtues and characteristics of the traditional Knickerbocker -honest, truthful and reliable, but often hampered with a degree of positiveness, uncalled for by the environments. He was totally devoid of those sickly sentimentalities which in certain circles prevent the naturalized foreigner from becoming a loyal, devoted American citizen. To the war for the Union he gave his two sons, one of whom made his last answer to roll call amid the anguish of the Wilderness.

He is survived by his widow, to whom he was married in 1841; a son, John; and two daughters- Mrs. J. Kerkhof and Mrs. L. Ter Beek. His funeral took place Monday afternoon, from Hope church, Revs. H. G. Birchby and H. E. Dosker officiating.

(Buried in Pilgrim Home Cemetery)