SHEBOYGAN HISTORY

Henry W. Te Grotenhuis, Page 553

HENRY W. Te GROTENHUIS has been a resident of Sheboygan County for forty years, and during that time has become well known to the people of Holland Township.  He is a native of Dixperlo, Guelderland, Holland, where his birth occurred July 3, 1826.  His father, who bore the Christian name of John W., was a small farmer of that country, though during the winter season he added to his income by making wooden shoes.  For a wife he chose Miss Anneken Kemink, who was a native of the same place.  Unto this couple eight children were born, one of whom died in infancy.  The names of the others are as follows: Henry W., Christina, Netta, Gertrude, William, Dreka and Manes.

    Having received a common-school education in his native land, Henry W. Te Grotenhuis bade farewell to home and friends, and aboard the ship "Pilgrim" sailed from Rotterdam to New York in thirty-eight days.  But one storm was encountered, and that was so severe that those who were compelled to remain on deck had to be lashed to the masts, or other fastenings, to keep them from being washed overboard.  For some six years our subject made New York State his home, though he visited Pennsylvania and Ohio in the mean time.  The year 1853 witnessed his arrival in Sheboygan, where he took up his residence at the old Wisconsin House, which was at that time conducted by William Schrage.  That well-known pioneer took his guest to the town of Holland by team.  Mr. Te Grotenhuis located on section 13, the farm having originally been the property of a Mr. Boland.  There he has made his home ever since, proving a valued citizen of his town.

    A ceremony performed in 1856 united in happy wedlock Mr. Te Grotenhuis and Miss Tonie Boornighof.  The wife was born December 8, 1838, in Alton, Guelderland, being a daughter of Gerret J. and Tennisken M. (Doornink) Boornighof.  Mrs. Te Grotenhuis has one sister, Johanna W., who was born November 24, 1841, and is now the wife of A.H. Graven, a farmer of Holland Township.  She also has a step-sister, Elizaberta Gasena, who was born January 25, 1833.

    Unto our subject and his wife seven children have been born:  Engelina W., born March 30, 1857, the wife of Garret Graven, a farmer of Holland Township; Hendrik W., born August 3, 1858; Grada H., February 7, 1861; John W., November 3, 1862; Gerret W., November 4, 1864; Tennesken M., January 12, 1870; and one who died in infancy.  One of the children, Gerret W., is a merchant of Cedar Grove.  All the family attend the Presbyterian Church.  Mr. Te Grotenhuis is a Republican in politics.  He is highly esteemed throughout the community, where honesty and industry are valued more than wealth and display.