David Debruyn News Today

David DeBruyn was born in 1877. In 1893, he began working in the LaHuis Grocery and Dry Goods Store. He married Henrietta “Trixie” Bosch and, together, they had three children: Robert, Donald and Evelyn.

Evelyn DeBruyn Van Dorp was a pioneer. She was the daughter of David DeBruyn, born in 1878.

In 1837, about 40 men — including engineers, surveyors and superintendents — landed near Pigeon Lake with many tools and much material.

Entrepreneurs often rely on family and friends to get started. That was true with some of the earlier characters in the Zeeland business district.