SHEBOYGAN HISTORY

Pieter Zeeveld, Page 551

PIETER ZEEVELD, residing on section 27, range 22, is one of the sturdy pioneers furnished to Sheboygan County by the little country of Holland.  In Ostkappel, Zeeland, his birth occurred August 4, 1822.  His parents, Lawrence and Susanna (Rosa) Zeeveld, were natives of the same province.  When about six years of age young Pieter was deprived of the tender care of an affectionate mother, whose memory he still reveres.  About two years after the death of his wife, the father wedded Miss Jane Young, whose death occurred in 1842, in her native land.  Of the first marriage there were four children, and of the second three, all of whom accompanied their father to America, setting sail on the 2d of May, 1845, and landing at New York forty-seven days later.  The vessel "Fannie," on which they came, bravely passed through a number of sever storms.  Going direct to Sheboygan County, the father settled on section 24, in the town of Holland, where about a year was spent, when he discovered that that property could not be purchased from the Government, and, accordingly, one hundred and sixty acres were pre-empted on sections 35 and 36.  On that farm Lawrence Zeeveld spent the remainder of his days.  After locating here he took unto him a third wife, Gertrude Wieland by name, a lady of German extraction.  By this wife he had four children, of whom three are living.  Anna wedded John Swimme, of Sheboygan; Henry is a farmer of Holland Township; Levinis resides in St. Croix County, Wis.  The subject of this article is the only surviving child of the first family.  Of the second family there are two living:  Jacob, a farmer in the town of Holland; and Elizabeth, who became the wife of A.H. Tenbroek of Milwaukee.  The father of these children died October 8, 1855, and in February of the following year his wife joined him in the spirit world.  Lawrence Zeeveld was a typical pioneer--industrious, honest and hospitable.

Pieter Zeeveld, whose name heads this record, received his education in his native land.  He was twenty-three years of age when he accompanied his father to the town of Holland, being, therefore, one of the oldest living settlers of the town.  He well remembers when the friendly Chippewa Indians were about their only neighbors, when bears and wolves were abundant, and when deer were more plentiful than money.  The old Green Bay Road was the only one of any importance, and other marks of civilization were wholly wanting.  Our subject took an active part in the early efforts to provide highways, and in other enterprises of public utility.

    Mr. Zeeveld was married February 15, 1855, to Miss Henrietta Kreunen, a daughter of John and Avartje Kreunen, who was born April 24, 1835, in Guelderland.  A family of ten children came to bless the home of Mr. and Mrs. Zeeveld, nine of whom are living.  Avartje, born December 2, 1855, married John Lammes, a farmer of Ozaukee County; Susan, born September 9, 1857, is the wife of George Ruslink, a farmer of the town of Sheboygan Falls; Lawrence, born May 19, 1858, is in the railroad service; Jane, born February 22, 1861 , is the wife of Gerret Haunen, a farmer of Holland Township; John, born February 26, 1863, is a farmer of the same town; Minnie, born March 29, 1865; Nellie, born March 31, 1868; Anna, born April 26, 1871, and Arntje, born December 28, 1876.  The last four are still under the parental roof.

    Mr. Zeeveld adheres to the principles of the Republican party.  He has served as Town Treasurer and Supervisor, three years as Constable, and for many years has held official positions in connection with the schools of his town.  He and his family are members of the Dutch Reformed Church.