FIFTH GENERATION

16. Johannes VAN DEN BOSCH ^{(1)(1) (1)} (photo) was born on 9 Apr 1841/42 in Netherlands. He immigrated in 1848 to Amsterdam to New York to Zeeland, Michigan. He was a Farmer in 1855 in Holland Township, Michigan.⁽²⁾ Life on the Michigan farm during this period was hard and primitive. The farmer worked from dawn to dusk, and after. During the winter he cut trees, which, when they had been dried by the summer sun, he set on fire. The following year the burned out spaces, enriched by the ashes, produced excellent crops of potatoes, corn, beans, peas, cabbages, turnips, carrots, pumpkins, and other produce. To plant potatoes, the farmer dug holes in the root-filled soil with axe and spade. In time the roots in the ground vanished and most of the hardwood stumps rotted; the farmer cleared his fields of those that remained.

The tools were simple, even crude. Wagons were constructed of wood, for very little iron was used; for wheels cross sections of oak logs were used. Such conveyances were heavy and clumsy, but they were solidly constructed. Yokes fashioned from wood were readily manufactured, but traces made of leather and chain were difficult to acquire. Although plows were hardly needed during the first years of the settlement, harrows were indispensable for leveling the uneven soil and for stirring it in preparation for planting. These harrows, made by hand, wee triangular, with points of antlers firmly fixed in hardwood frames. Nut such points proved too brittle, and the pioneer substituted hardwood pegs and, later, iron pegs, for which at first he paid as much as fifty cents apiece. Scythes were used in cutting grass. Sickles were employed at first, but later the cradle was introduced; this was supplanted after a dozen years by the horse-drawn reaper, which, in turn, was discarded for the self-binder. Hayforks made from hickory or ironwood branches with points diligently sharpened, were an admirable substitute for the elegantly manufactured article of later days.

For some years, horses were uncommon, and oxen were used in all manner of work, even in taking the family to church on Sunday. Every farmer secured a cow as soon as possible, and the cows freely roamed in the woods, with bells fastened to their necks to keep them from being lost. Pigs and chickens were also acquired soon after settlement. Dogs kept watch over them, for the woods were full of bears and other animals which would attack pigs, chickens, and calves. Cats, too, were in demand, for the clearings abounded in rats, mice, chipmunks, gophers, squirrels, raccoons, woodchucks, and porcupines. One could hear, upon arrival: "Katten te koop!" ("Cats for sale!")

The summer of 1851 was especially difficult. Smaller animals became extremely numerous. In the spring, an army of squirrels and other predatory animals swarmed over the clearings, attacking everything planted and stripping the fields, in spite of cats, dogs, guns, and watchful men. A rainy summer followed; little grew, and that little was often devoured by the foraging animals.

Following this disastrous summer, some of the Dutch farmers faltered, but only for a time. Conditions improved, and the harvest of 1853 was a success. Crops were excellent in Vriesland, average in Zeeland, good in Overisel, and very good in Graafscap.

During the next year, 1854, the farmers were even more successful. The "Kolonie" had never witnessed better. Many enlarged their log barns with boards brought from the Dutch sawmills. The same changes took place with the houses. That year, a commentator for De Hollander wrote: "This year (pastures) produced a vast quantity of hay, feed for the constantly increasing cattle industry. May the Source of all good be praised."

The year 1855 brought additional evidence of prosperity. Property values rose steadily. A Holland Township farm, together with cattle and tools sold for about $3,000. IN Zeeland Township a smaller farm of 56 acres, of which 12 were cleared, brought $775. Crops flourished and the harvest was abundant. In the middle of August, corn stood 9 feet tall.

Also during this time, new threshing machines were coming into use in the settlement. People believed that progress was being made on all sides, "as every person can see with his own eyes," reported the editor of De Hollander. All of the Dutch population was at work and growing richer every day.

One reason for the success of farming was the steady supply of cheap labor made available by the influx of immigrants. Hundreds were arriving each year.

Thus, a new problem: the difficulties experienced by the immigrants (and, likely, the young ready to take their place as heads of households) with the rising cost of land.

In 1854, Zeeland Township about 3,500 acres were under cultivation, of which about 480 were seeded to wheat, 740 to corn. 184 oxen outnumbered the 18 horses. In addition, there were 316 milk cows and 677 pigs.

Two years later, Zeeland Township had grown to 259 families. Horses and mules numbered 48 and pigs were now 873.

Such rapids growth also took place because of the new and improved land and water routes for trade and communication. The settlement was close to Black River, Black Lake, and, of course, Lake Michigan. Flatboats shipped logs, cordwood, bark, and staves to Holland harbor; from there reshipped to Chicago and other markets.

Almost from the beginning, road building occupied the settlers. Trails and roads were cut and built through woodlands and swamps, at times following previous Indian trails. He emigrated in Mar 1877 from Zeeland, Michigan to Iowa. Traveled to Iowa with 10 children. Purchased land in Iowa for $5/acre. Did not like the Prairie. Moved back to Michigan and re-married after his wife and child died. He emigrated in 1883 from Michigan to Harrison, Douth Dakota with children and second wife.. Lived in a small sod house during the summer of 1883. He died in 1905 in Wright County, Iowa. Buried in Christian Reformed Church graveyard with grandaughter Ella. He emigrated from Harrison, South Dakoa to Leota, Minnesota. He emigrated from Leota, Minnesota to Pease, Minnesota. Traveled with a covered wagon he made himeself. He was described as.

17. Lydia KROPSHOT was born on 22 Dec 1845 in The Netherlands. She died on 3 May 1881 in Michigan. She immigrated to The Netherlands to America. She emigrated from Michigan to Iowa. She resided in 4 miles east of Sioux Center, Iowa. She emigrated from Iowa back to Michigan. Children were:

i. Grietje VAN DEN BOSCH⁽¹⁾ was born on 22 Feb 1862. She died on 4 Nov 1954.
ii. Tamma VAN DEN BOSCH⁽¹⁾ was born on 22 Sep 1864. He died on 11 Mar 1921.
iii. Leonard VAN DEN BOSCH⁽¹⁾ was born on 27 Sep 1866. He died on 1 Apr 1959.
8 iv. Hendrik VAN DEN BOSCH.
v. Dena (Dina) VAN DEN BOSCH⁽¹⁾ was born on 2 Jan 1873. She died on 29 Jul 1927.
vi. Anne VAN DEN BOSCH⁽¹⁾ was born on 2 Jan 1873. She died on 16 Nov 1901.
vii. Hendrike (Hendrika) VAN DEN BOSCH⁽¹⁾ was born on 31 Mar 1875. She died on 13 Oct 1958.
viii. Johanna (Johannes) VAN DEN BOSCH^{(1) (1)} was Mother died shortly after giving birth to her. on 31 Mar 1881 in Iowa. She was born on 9 Apr 1881. She died on 8 Aug 1881. She was Cared for after mother's death by Mrs. Ion Scholten. in Iowa. She died. Died at the age of 4 months.

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