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- Located in our St John's cemetery, Block -A, Lot no.16, Row 7, you will find the grave of a Civil War Veteran. His name is Peter De Bruin Jr. Peter along with his Father Peter, Sr. and his mother, Sybilla Seegers, emigarted to to the U.S. leaving from Uden Holland on April 1st. 1858, arriving by way of Anwerp, Belgium on about May 30, 1858 at the port of New York. Our person Peter De Bruin Jr. at the age of 24, 6 years after coming to America, enlisted as a Private in Company E, 18th Regiment, 4 Division,Wisconsin Infantry. He took part in the battles of Nashville, Atlanta, Five Forks, and Vicksburg and also was on Sherman's march at sea. What is worth a big notice, Peter did this before he became a citizen of the United States already fighting for our freedom. After his tour of service to our country, Peter was proud to become a Citizen of the U.S. on April 5, 1886. And the Story goes on, Peter was a father of 17 children, and all grew up to adulthhood. During the First World War, all able-bodied men were asked to serve for their country. Three of Peter's sons from the Village of Little Chute enlisted. The entire Village of Little Chute was at the depot to see their sons off. Three of these were brothers: Albert, Simon and George De Bruin. At a stop at the train depot in Milwaukee, to their suprise, the three brothers saw their brother Antone, who told them not to tell anyone of his age. He was too young to be enlisted, but was accepted . After two weeks of training camp, they found out, and he was released and sent home. But, before catching the train, Antone saw a sign in the booth that said, "Join The Canadian Army & Fight the Germans." Antone again enlisted, lied about his age and was accepted into the Canadian Army where he served for two years in Germany and France. Discharged in Canada, he met and married a lovely lady in Canada, fathered 14 children & never returned to Little Chute, but was proud to fight for our Freedom.
- Peter had a full head of snow white hair. He never wore glasses and had a full set of teeth when he died. He walked eight blocks to church every day, until the day before he died.
- Peter De Bruin
Little Chute-Funeral services for Peter De Bruin, 90, veteran of the Civil War, who died suddenly at his home here Monday morning, were held Thursday morning at nine o'clock at St. John church. Solemn requiem high mass was sung by the Rev. John J. Sprangers assisted by Rev. J. W. Jansen and the Rev. Francis Schoettl of Morrison. Burial took place in the Catholic cemetery.
The decedent was buried with military honors with the members of the Jacob Coppus post of the American Legion having charge. The bearers were: Henry Van Handel, John Bevers, John H. Vanden Heuvel, William Reybrock, Henry Vandenberg and Nicholas J. Huss. The color bearer was Dr. E. W. Donahue and the color guards were Sylvester Vandenberg and John M. Jansen. The firing squad consisted of Peter C. Vanden Heuvel, Charles Coppus, Matthew Reynebeau, Joseph Kobussen, Frank Hermsen and John J. Hermsen, Michael H. Verstegen was the chaplain.
Mr. De Bruin enlisted as a private in Company E, 18th regiment, fourth division, Wisconsin Infantry, October 1, 1863 and was discharged Oct. 31, 1865. He took part in the Battles of Nashville, Atlanta, Five Forks and Vicksburg and was on Sherman's march to sea. The decedent was born August 12, 1840 in Holland. He is survived by nine sons and five daughters. They are: John, Kimberly; Henry, Combined Locks; Joseph, Boyd; Albert, Brillion; Frank, Little Chute; George, Janesville, Mrs. Frank Pennings, Mrs. Frank Haggaman, Mrs. George Jansen, Miss Leona Jansen, Mrs. Anton Hendricks and George Hendricks, Phlox; Thomas and Harold De Bruin and Mr. and Mrs. Joseph De Bruin, Boyd; Mrs. John Kamps, Peter Van Eiten, Mr. and Mrs. William Van Eiten, Mrs. William Bastian, Misses Elizabeth and Janet De Bruin and Urban De Bruin, Green Bay; Mr. and Mrs. William Vanden Heuvel, Miss Mildred Vanden Heuvel, Mr. and Mrs. Frank Vanden Heuvel, Seymour; Mr. and Mrs. Frank Keyser, Waukegan; Mrs. Elmer Berg and Lawrence and Byron Berg, Hortonville; Joseph De Bruin, Mr. and Mrs. Leo Gillen, Mr. and Mrs. Henry De Bruin, Ben Vander Wyst, Mr. and Mrs. John Vander Wyst, Mr. and Mrs. Peter Vander Wyst and ??
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