Theodoricus Koning

Theodore Koning, residing on section 23, town of Holland, is one among the early pioneer settlers of that township. He is a son of Theodore and Gertie Koning, born August 24, 1826 in Middlesome [1827 in Middelstum], Holland. There were seven children in his father's family, three sons and four daughters, three of whom are living. However, Mr. Koning and a sister were the only members of the family who came to the United States, and the latter came but a few years ago. [His older sister, Grietje Schalk, arrived in 1889 and lived in Muskegon, MI.] Theodore Koning, Sr., was a cooper by trade, which occupation he followed all his life.

Mr. Koning of this record received a common-school education in the land of his nativity, and when a boy assisted his father in the cooper shop. In May, 1849 [1854, aboard the Mongolia], he sailed from Rotterdam for the United States, coming by way of Liverpool, and after a stormy voyage of some forty-two days safely reached the harbor of New York. Mr. Koning had the misfortune to have his clothes stolen after arriving in New York, as did others who were passengers on the same vessel. He continued his journey westward to Buffalo, thence by the Lakes to Sheboygan, landing at Lintz's Pier. On reaching the latter city he found entertainment at the Wisconsin House, a hostelry well known to the pioneers of the county. Only a few days were spent there, however, when he resumed his travels, going on foot to the town of Holland, where he worked as a carpenter and wagon-maker, having learned that trade in Holland. Among the houses he helped to build was that of Albert Osterhouse. He also aided in the construction of the roads in this and other localities in the township. In the spring of 1856, he purchased ten acres of land, which was covered with stumps and stones, and for which he paid $300. He has now increased his possessions until he owns thirty-five acres of well-improved and valuable land.

January 7, 1855 [1856], in Amsterdam, a ceremony was performed by Justice of the Peace Wood that made Mr. Koning and Miss Jennie Osterhouse husband and wife. Mrs. Koning is a native of Sandeweer [Zandeweer], Holland, her birth having occurred October 30, 1833. She is a daughter of Klaas and Jennie (Van Zealen) Osterhouse, and emigrated to America with her parents in 1849 [she emigrated with her older sister in 1854; the rest of the family followed in 1855], coming on the same vessel as did her husband and, like him, she had her clothes stolen in the city of New York after landing from the boat. Her parents finally settled in Michigan, making their permanent home at Grandville. In their family were nine [ten] children, of whom but five are living, one son and four daughters, Mrs. Koning being the second [third] in order of birth. Her father is still living and celebrated his ninetieth birthday on the 3d of September, 1893.

Mr. and Mrs. Koning had eight children, one son and seven daughters. The living are Caroline, who was born October 10, 1860, and became the wife of Nelson Shaver, a farmer of the town of Holland; Eliza, who was born August 16, 1862, and wedded Fred Meyer, a farmer in the town of Wilson; Greeta, the second bearing that name, born October 21, 1866, the wife of Valentine Bast, of Sheboygan; Martha, born February 16, 1869; and Theodore H., born March 16, 1871, a carpenter by trade. The deceased are: Johanna, born January 2, 1856; Gertrude, born December 22, 1858; and Greeta, born August 19, 1864.

Mr. Koning is a Republican in his political sentiments, and with his family attends the Presbyterian Church.

[Text from "Portrait and Biographical Record of Sheboygan Co.," 1894, Pages 547-548]

[Corrections to the original text that I know about are shown in red]