Kuypers, John Anton

Other Events:

• Immigration: 25 Jan 1886
• Occupation: Aft 1890; Printer (De Volksstem)
• Biography: Abt 1913; History of Brown County, Wisconsin Page 377

Notes:

Occupation:
Printer (De Volksstem)

Biography:
JOHN ANTON KUYPERS.
John Anton Kuypers, a member of the firm of Heyrman & Kuvpers, publishers of the Brown County Democrat and of the De Volksstem, has risen to his present position in the industrial world from that of a printers devil for the Standard Printing Company. He showed such remarkable talent for the business and such rare qualities of hard work and intelligence that his rise was rapid and sure. He is a native of Holland, having been born in Oeffelt, March 2. 1869. His parents were Michael and Joanna 1 Emons ) Kuvpers, both natives of Holland. The father came to the United States in the fall of 1886, and the other members of the family arrived in New York city on January 25, 1886, coming at once to De Pere, Wisconsin. John Anton Kuypers was educated in the public schools of his native country and pursued a course at the normal school in Boxmeer, Holland, where he also took up the study of French and German and for a few months added to this a course in English. He came to America with his parents in 1886 and immediately turned his attention to the printing business. On February 1st of that year he obtained employment with the Standard Printing Company in the capacity of devil, where his good work and unfailing good humor soon earned him promotion to the position of "typo." He remained with the Standard Printing Company in various capacities with increasing responsibility until December, 1889. During the last two years of his connection with that company he occupied the position of editor of the De Pere Standard, a newspaper published in the Dutch language. In January, 1890, Mr. Kuypers started in business for himself. He formed a partnership with John B. Heyrman and purchased the Brown County Democrat, which had been established in 1877, and shortly afterward they commenced the publication of a new Holland Catholic weekly, De Yolksstem. which has the distinction of being the only Holland newspaper printed in the United States. Under the name of Heyrman & Kuvpers the partners also conducted a general printing establishment and were remarkably successful along this line. John B. Heyrman died in 1899 DUt hi s widow still keeps her interest in the business and it is today one of the largest and most prominent enterprises of its kind in the county. The circulation of the two papers has increased remarkably in the last few years. The Democrat now has a daily circulation of twenty- one hundred and the books of the De Yolksstem show a weekly business of sixteen hundred paid subscriptions. Mr. Kuypers' position as editor and manager of two of the largest newspapers in the district gives him a great influence. He is a director of the State Bank of De Pere. In 1895 Mr. Kuypers was united in marriage to Miss Anna C. Heyrman a daughter of his partner, John B. Heyrman of De Pere. They have one son, Harold, who was born in 1897. Politically Mr. Kuypers gives his allegiance to the Democratic party and has attained a remarkable degree of prominence in public affairs. He was one of the Democratic presidential electors in 1912. For several years he was a member of the city council of De Pere and mayor of the city from 1902 to 1906. He has been a member of the park commission of De Pere since his appointment in 191 1 and has been secretary of the local board of education since 1909. One of the vital influences in the life of John A. Kuypers is his religion. He is a prominent member of the Catholic church and takes an intense interest in the fraternal organizations affiliated with it. He has served several terms as president of De Pere Branch, No. 46, Catholic Knights of Wisconsin. He is a charter member of Columbus Court, No. 315, Catholic Order of Foresters, and has served two terms as chief ranger in this organization; was trustee of the State Court for two terms; and has been state chief ranger of Wisconsin since 1903. He is prominent in the affairs of the Knights of Columbus and is past grand knight of Green Bay Council, No. 617. He also holds membership in St. Joseph's Society of De Pere. Mr. Kuypers brings into his business life the sturdy Dutch qualities of steadiness of purpose and concentration of ambition and these have raised him from a humble position to an active figure in industrial and religious circles. He is president of the Master Printers' Association of Brown county and vice president of the Wisconsin Editorial Association.

John married Heyrman, Anna Catherine 28 Nov 1895, De Pere, Brown, Wisconsin, USA. Anna (daughter of Heyrman, John Baptist and DeBoth, Barbara Isabella) was born 28 Jun 1869, Bay Settlement, Brown, Wisconsin, USA; died 10 Mar 1942, Green Bay, Brown, Wisconsin, USA; was buried , Mount Olivet Catholic Cemetery, De Pere, Wisconsin, USA. [Group Sheet]

Harold married Reinhart, Marcella Odila Aft 1913. Marcella (daughter of Reinhart, George and Mollie, Anna Marie) was born 25 Jun 1895, Algoma, Kewaunee, Wisconsin, USA; died 18 Mar 1952, De Pere, Brown, Wisconsin, USA; was buried , Mount Olivet Catholic Cemetery, De Pere, Wisconsin, USA. [Group Sheet]