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

In 1847, the family crossed the ocean, hoping to achieve success in the New World. They had just enough money to carry them across the Atlantic, and as it took them six weeks to make the voyage they landed in New York with very little means. The fertile soil of the West tempted them to turn their faces in that direction, and they found their way to Holland, Mich., where they bought forty acres of land, one and a-half miles east of our subject’s residence. One child, Bernard, was born after reaching this country. This worthy and much esteemed old couple are still living, and both have reached the advanced age of eighty-eight years, having married at the age of twenty-five. Mr. DeVries is a consistent member of the First Reformed Church of Zeeland, and he and his wife have 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 married Miss Everdina Rysborp, who came with her parents from Netherlands to this country at an early date. After marriage, Mr. DeVries bought sixty acres of land in this township, near his father’s farm, and as the property was wild and uncultivated, he began at once to improve and make a home. To the original tract he added from time to time, until he became the owner of one hundred and ninety-five acres in Ottawa County. In addition to this he acquired eighty acres in Muskingum County, and this he owns at present.

Resting his land, Mr. DeVries embarked in the milling business on the farm now owned by our subject, and was engaged in this enterprise for twenty-five years, reaping substantial results in the mean time. Later he engaged in milling in Antrim County, and finally bought the entire mill and stock. This mill and two hundred thousand feet of lumber were destroyed by fire in June, 1893, and as there was no insurance all was lost. Mr. DeVries and his worthy wife make their home in Grand Rapids, Mich. The five children born to them were in the order of their 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 his native county, and in Hope College, Holland. He was early trained to the arduous duties of the farm, and it was but natural that when starting out for himself he should choose agriculture for his calling in life. He was married in 1888 to Miss Dena, daughter of Wesley and Elizabeth Nibbelink, and tow children have been given them John W. and Elizabeth H. Socially, our subject is a member of the Third Reformed Church of Holland. In politics, he affiliates with the Republican party. He commenced farming operations as a renter, and now has control of one hundred and fifteen acres of his father’s land. He is enterprising and progressive and will undoubtedly gain success in life.