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

Affectionately known as “Dickie the Druggist,” Van Bree was a pharmacist, merchandiser and landlord. His first drug store was located in a two-story building near the southwest corner of Main Avenue and present-day S. Elm Street.

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

Jannes Van de Luyster, born in 1789, was a wealthy farmer from the western part of the Netherlands.

In 1878, at age 44, Den Herder opened a bank in Zeeland. In 1880, he was elected to the office of elder in his church, First Reformed Church in Zeeland. It wasn’t his first time.