Precinct 1, City of Kalamazoo, Kalamazoo County, Michigan Enumeration District 39-16, Sheets 18-A & B, pages 51-A & B, Enumeration date: 12 April 1930 Address: 426 North Burdick Street, Dwelling #306 Tromper, Henry J. Head, age 20, male, white, born in Netherlands, parents born in Netherlands, automobile salesman, came to the United States in 1916, not a citizen Tromper, John Lodger, age 60, male, white, born in Netherlands, parents born in Netherlands, laborer at water works, widowed, came to the United States in 1916 (this is not what was on the 1920 census), not a citizen Social Security Records ALBERT DEROO Born 24 Mar 1914 Died Mar 1981 Last residence (Zeeland, Ottawa County, Michigan) Social Security Number 384-10-5551 issued in Michigan ALBERT DEROO Born 03 Dec 1934 Died Apr 1966 Social Security Number 451-48-3231 issued in Texas ALBERT DEROO Born 11 Oct 1908 Died 13 Jun 1995 707-05-0172 Long-time or retired railroad workers HENRY J TROMPER Born 17 Nov 1909 Died 15 Apr 1992 Social Security Number 368-03-7644 issued in Michigan A Brief History of the Nineteenth Century Dutch in Kalamazoo Dutch immigration to Western Michigan began in 1847 when Dutch settlers arrived in what would become the city of Holland, Michigan. Encouragement of Dutch immigration was mentioned as early as 1846 in the Kalamazoo Telegraph. Immigration to Kalamazoo followed in 1850 when Paulus den Bleyker, a wealthy businessman (sometimes called the "Dutch Governor"), led a party of twenty seven newcomers. The party arrived by rail on October 1, 1847. Almost immediately several of the immigrants died. Fearing an epidemic, the remaining party was quarantined. The enforced delayed caused Paulus den Bleyker to become acquainted with Kalamazoo. As a result, he purchased the estate of Michigan Governor and Kalamazoo pioneer, Epaphroditus Ransom. The estate was immediately surveyed and subdivided for the immigrants. Paulus den Bleyker remained a patron to the Kalamazoo Dutch, helping individuals and helping establish the Reformed Church ( the first pastor was Wynand Gardenier ). The cornerstones of the Dutch Community in Kalamazoo were the Reformed Churches and the related Christian Schools. The first Christian School was established in 1875. Dutch immigration began in earnest with the cultivation of a crop newly in demand in North America and Europe, celery. The remains of old post glacial lakebeds in the form of "muck lands" widespread in Kalamazoo were the perfect media for celery growing George and James Taylor brought celery to Kalamazoo. Cornelius De Bruin is credited with starting celery production in Kalamazoo. As early as 1871, celery was shipped from Kalamazoo. Hundreds of acres of muck lands were cleared for celery cultivation. The earliest celery farms were established in what was, at the time, southern Kalamazoo. Later, the center of celery cultivation moved to the north side of Kalamazoo where the Dutch flocked. The Dutch in Kalamazoo followed their national traditional of flower cultivation which accounts for the large numbers of greenhouses in the area. The Dutch became a significant portion of Kalamazoo's population, comprising at one time perhaps twenty percent of the city (including the second and third generations). A large portion of Dutch immigration to Kalamazoo originated in the provinces of Friesland and Groningen.