MR. CORNELIUS VER PLOEG MRS. CORNELIUS VERPLOEG

CORNELIUS VERPLOEG

Born in the Netherlands December 7, 1832. He came to America in 1853 and located
in Pella with his parents and one sister and four brothers. It took them 53 days
to make the trip across the ocean and during this time he lost his father and
one sister by death. A contagious disease broke out on the boat and it became
necessary to leave an uncle on an island. The family landed at New Orleans and
from there they traveled up the Mississippi river to Keokuk and thence by team
and covered wagon to Pella, their future home. They landed here July 1, 1853. On
March 8, 1858, he was united in marriage to Miss Pearl Van Zee, daughter of Mr.
and Mrs. Koenrad Van Zee. To this union were born two sons and seven daughters.
The mother died on February 3, 1890. Mr. Ver Ploeg passed away July 26, 1904, at
the ripe old age of seventy-two. He was considered to be one of the most
prosperous farmers in this community. His son, C. R. Ver Ploeg, lives on the old
homestead, Henry having died several years ago.

M. DE REUS

Was born in Beieland, South Holland, in May, 1811, and emigrated to Pella in
1847. Here he became a successful farmer, and continued in that industry until
his death, which occurred in July of 1896. He was a man of generous and genial
disposition, who made friends by the score and had no enemies, because he never
gave cause for enmity.

M. DE REUS