Hendrik, listed as a day laborer and member of the Dutch Reformed Church, emigrated with his wife Dirkje and ten children in 1868. Seven of the children died on the boat, possibly from a disease epidemic, and an eighth child died upon arrival of an "open back" (possibly tuberculosis or spina bifida), leaving only Mary and Tim alive.

The family settled south of Zeeland, MI, their 15 acres in 1876 increasing to a scattered 58 acres by 1897 (map of farm).

Hendrik is buried in New Groningen Cemetery (Sect B, B18 L5) in Holland, MI. Dirkje is buried next to him (Sect B, B18 L4).