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Source: "Portrait and Biographical Record - Published 1894 by Excelsior Publishing Co., Chicago" Page 561
Peter Liefbroer, residing in the village of Cedar Grove, in the town of Holland, Sheboygan County, Wis., is one of
the early pioneer settlers of the community. He is a native of Kortgeen, province of Zeeland, Holland, born February
20, 1823. His parents, Peter and Mary (Derwalter) Liefbroer, were also natives of the same place as their son. In
their family were seven children, three sons and four daughters, of whom but three survive, namely: the gentleman
whose name heads this record; Cornelius, who still resides in the Fatherland; and Mary, who became the wife of
Adrian Carlman, a farmer of the town of Sheboygan Falls.
Peter Liefbroer was reared and educated in the common schools of his native country, where his boyhood and youth
were spent. At the age of twenty-seven, Mr. Liefbroer was united in marriage with Miss Mary Flepse, the ceremony
being performed on the 25th of October, 1850. Mrs. Liefbroer was born January 10, 1830, in the same village as her
husband, and is the only surviving member of a family of three children born unto Paul and Adrienne (Amperse)
Flepse. In Mr. and Mrs. Liefbroer's family were seven children. Peter, born November 1, 1851, is a resident of
Milwaukee; Paul, born April 10, 1859, resides in the same city; John, born August 10, 1862, is a harness-maker in
Oostburg, Sheboygan County; Henry, born August 29, 1865, is at home; Jennie, is deceased; Mary, born May 31, 1856,
married George Clinton, of Pewaukee, Waukesha County, Wis.; and Nellie, born August 28, 1861, became the wife of
William Parker, of the same city.
On the 10th of March, 1854, Mr. Liefbroer, accompanied by his wife and two children, sailed from Rotterdam for New
York, arriving in the latter city some forty-three days after their embarkation. From New York they continued their
journey Westward by way of Chicago to Milwaukee, making the trip on rail and by boat. Only about six months were
spent in the Cream City, when they came to Sheboygan County, and settled in the town of Holland, on the site known
as Cedar Grove, where Mr. Liefbroer purchased twenty-four and three-fourths acres of land, which he still owns, and
which has been his home for nearly forty years.
Mr. Liefbroer has been identified with the Republican party, and warmly advocates and supports its principles. The
entire family attend the Dutch Reformed Church of America, of which they are consistent members. Mr. and Mrs.
Liefbroer are well preserved and active old people, who apparently have many years before them in which they may
enjoy the fruits of past years of labor.
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