Hermanus Martin "Herman" Kroeze 1839-1910

Hermanus was born at home in the village of Lonneker, Province of Overijssel in the Netherlands on Wednesday, September 25, 1839 at 10 o'clock in the morning to Joachim Bernardus Kroese (also called Bernardus Joachim Kruse) and Dina Bos (also called Diena Bosch). He was the fifth born of 12 known children (4 girls and 8 boys). According to family stories passed down, as a young boy, Hermanus worked for another family as he herded geese by day and peeled potatoes in the evening.

At the age of 18, Hermanus, living in Borne, Province of Overijssel, Netherlands with an occupation of servant/laborer/journeyman, registered with the National Militia on April 30, 1858. He was released from service on April 29, 1863.

On October 16, 1867 Hermanus, 28, and Dina Hendrika van Zuilekum/Zuilekom, 24, registered their intent to marry. Both resided in Borne, Overijssel, Netherlands, which is about 16 to 19 km from Lonneker. A little over a month later, they were married on Thursday, November 28, 1867 in Borne.

The newlyweds lived in Almelo, Overijssel, Netherlands "in the house standing in district three". Hermanus was employed as a weaver. Beginning in the latter part of the 19th century, Almelo employed many in the textile industry. Their oldest daughter, Berendina was born in Almelo on May 14, 1868. She died there at age 2 months and 27 days on August 10, 1868. Their second daughter, Berendina "Dina" Hendrika also called "Della", was born on November 21, 1869 in Almelo. Their third daughter, Janna "Anna" Kroeze was born January 7, 1872 in Borne, Overijssel, Netherlands.

On May 16, 1874 the Kroeze family (Hermanus, wife Dina, daughters Dina, age 4, and Janna, age 2) left Rotterdam, Netherlands on the W A Scholten and arrived in the Port of New York on June 1, 1874. They first lived in Holland, Nebraska, near Firth. A baby boy named Ben (born about 1874) is buried there. They may have lived in a cave for a period while in Nebraska. Two sons, Ben and John were born in Holland, Nebraska (1876 and 1878). In the spring of 1879, the family moved from Nebraska to Kansas. From March 26, 1879 to about June 1, 1879 the family lived in their wagon while building their sod house. The sod house was about 12 x 32 ft. They also built a horse and cow stable, hog pens and dug a well. Children Martha, Ella and Henry were born in Luctor, Phillips County, Kansas.

On March 24, 1879 at Phillips County, Kansas before the fifteenth Judicial District, 'Harman Cruzer', native of Holland, age about forty-two, declared his intention to become a citizen of the United States. On September 26, 1883, Herman's naturalization was finalized and he was a citizen of the United States of America.

Hermanus was one of the original members of the Luctor Christian Reformed Church in Luctor, Phillips County, Kansas and was an active member of the church.

He died from complications due to asthma on Tuesday, November 15, 1910, aged 71 years, 1 month and 21 days.

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Phillipsburg News Dispatch, Phillipsburg, Phillips, KS, Thursday, Dec 1, 1910

"Last week Tuesday evening died at Luctor, Hermanus Kroeze. Mr. Kroeze was one of the earliest settlers; he came from Holland in 1877 with a few other Hollanders and settled north of Luctor. Since that he has been farming in the same vicinity, but the last five years he retired and lived on a small home near Luctor. He was sick only a few days of asthma; he leaves a wife and six married children. His two sons who reside in Wyoming came to attend the funeral and also his other children who all live in Kansas. The funeral was conducted by Rev. Kuiper; the sermon was pronounced by Rev. Van Dellen who was here on a visit from Denver and Rev. Deelsnyder also spoke a few words in memorial of the deceased."

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The Logan Republican and Prairie View News, Logan, Phillips, KS, Nov 24, 1910

"H. Kroeze was born in Holland, Sept. 25, 1839, and died Nov. 15, 1910, aged 71 years, 1 month and 21 days. He was married to Miss Dinah Van Lekon, Nov 28, 1867, and to this union 9 children were born, 6 of whom are still living. In 1874 he moved from Holland Europe to Holland Nebr., and in 1879 came to Phillips county Kansas and located on a homestead near Luctor. The funeral services were held at the church last Thursday by Rev. Kuiper and the body interred in the Luctor cemetery. A large concourse of friends and relatives were present and showed their respect and esteem for this good man. Mr. Kroeze was a good friend and neighbor and lived a consistent Christian life. His place will be missed in our community."