Source: "Portrait and Biographical Record - Published 1894 by Excelsior Publishing Co., Chicago" Pages 530 - 531

John Brummels, residing on section 27, range 22, is numbered among the earliest pioneers of the town of Holland, Sheboygan County. He is a son of Behrend and Jannah (Tubuis) Brummels, who were natives of Wentesweck, province of Guelderland, Holland. The father was a farmer in a small way, and on the old homestead John Brummels was born, February 25, 1831. He received his education in the common schools of his native land. When but ten years of age his father was laid to rest in the village cemetery, and he went to live with a cousin, where he remained until sixteen years of age. In the fall of 1847, in company with his cousin and his family, Mr. Brummels sailed from Rotterdam for New York, their object being to seek a home in the New World, of which they had heard so much. Arriving in New York, they continued their journey Westward, going by way of Albany, Buffalo and the Great Lakes to Milwaukee, where they located. In the latter city Mr. Brummels was employed as a teamster for some five years, and later began business on his own responsibility. Buying a team, he engaged in transferring goods and passengers from given points, and did a stage business as far west as Madison, and north to Steven's Point. When his time was not thus occupied he did general freighting.

In 1853, occurred the marriage of Mr. Brummels and Miss Tryntje Kok, who was born in Seidewind, North Holland, November 7, 1831. Mrs. Brummels is the second in order of birth in a family of eight children born unto Peter and Nellie (Stipperjohn) Kok. Mr. and Mrs. Brummels became the parents of nine children, of whom eight are still living. Hannah, who was born September 1, 1854, was married May 10, 1876, to Peter Huisheere, a farmer in the town of Holland; Peter, born June 30, 1836, is a railroad engineer, and resides in Omaha, Neb.; Henry, born September 13, 1858, is at home and operates his father's farm; Joe, born December 11, 1860, resides in Minnesota; Garrett J., born April 10, 1863, is a cheese-maker of Hingham, Wis.; Nelson, the second bearing that name, was born November 7, 1868, and lives in Milwaukee; Lizzie, born February 21, 1871, wedded Garrett Menting, a farmer on section 26, in Holland Township; and Bennie, born April 22, 1873, has charge of his brother Peter's farm near Omaha, Neb. Their sixth child, Nelson, born April 11, 1867, died on the 13th of October, 1867.

Soon after his marriage Mr. Brummels came to Sheboygan County and bought eighty acres of land in the town of Holland, which has since been his home. The land was covered with a heavy growth of timber. Here he built a log house, and began the arduous task of converting a wilderness into a productive farm. Prior to leaving Milwaukee, he had the pleasure of meeting his mother, who was accompanied by another son and a brother and his wife. They came to Sheboygan County a few weeks after Mr. and Mrs. Brummels arrived. The mother soon came to share the home of our subject and his wife, and there remained until her death. She had attained to the advanced age of ninety-six years and seven months. She was a much-beloved Christian woman, and her death was regretted by her many friends and relatives.

At the time of Mr. Brummels coming to this county, there was not a road in this section, and he took an active part in the construction of many of them, and especially of the one running east and west from his residence. He has witnessed, and aided in the transformation that has made of a wilderness one of the most thrifty and productive sections in the county. He has a good, comfortable home, a highly-cultivated farm, and may justly feel proud of what he has accomplished. Mr. Brummels was called upon to mourn the loss of his wife, whose death occurred February 21, 1891. She was laid to rest in the village cemetery at Cedar Grove, where sleep so many of the old pioneers who braved the hardships and trials of a new country, and who were its earliest representatives. Mrs. Brummels had not reached her sixtieth year by a few months. Her life had been a busy, helpful one.

When President Lincoln called for volunteers to put down the rebellion that had broken out, Mr. Brummels promptly responded and was enrolled in the service of his adopted country, becoming a member of Company G, Fourteenth Wisconsin Volunteers. He served until the close of the war and was honorably discharged on the 5th of October, 1865, at Mobile, Ala. On the 13th of the month he arrived at home, and resumed the duties of his farm.

Mr. Brummels and his family are members of the First Presbyterian Church, being among its earliest members. In his political views, he is a Democrat; he has served as Clerk of the Schools and as Supervisor, and was Constable for a period of over twenty years. In all positions he has performed the duties devolving upon him in a most acceptable and satisfactory manner, thereby meriting the respect and esteem of all who know him.

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