Ben Brink Biography


	This biography appears on pages 642-643 in "History of Dakota 
	Territory" by George W. Kingsbury, Vol. V (1915) and was 
	scanned, OCRed and edited by Maurice Krueger, mkrueger@iw.net.

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				BEN BRINK. 

	Ben Brink is well known in Charles Mix county as a member of the 
prosperous real estate and insurance firm of VanderBoom & Brink, of 
Platte. He also has a number of other business interests and has gained 
financial independence. He was born in Illinois on the 1st of February, 
1869, a son of J. A. and Mary (Kools) Brink. The father, a gardener by 
occupation, was foreman of a large estate in Amsterdam, Holland, for 
some time. In 1851 he located with his family in Michigan, where he 
remained for twelve years, and then removed to the vicinity of Chicago 
where Roseland is now situated and gave his attention to truck farming 
until 1871. In that year he removed to Ackley, Iowa, and two years 
later took up his residence at Orange City, where he remained until 
1883, when he came to Douglas county, South Dakota, being one of the 
first settlers of the county. After remaining there for five years he 
returned to Orange City, Iowa, where he died in 1898. He was survived 
by his widow until 1914, her demise occurring when she was eighty-two 
years of age. 

	Ben Brink was educated in public and private schools and for six 
years followed the profession of teaching. He also farmed for some time 
and was likewise manager of the Farmers Creamery at Harrison. The stock 
business also claimed part of his attention but following his removal 
to Platte he purchased a half interest in a well established real-
estate and insurance company, the style becoming VanderBoom & Brink. 
They do the largest real estate business in this section of the state 
and also represent a number of reliable insurance companies. They 
understand both the real-estate and insurance business thoroughly and 
as they are strictly honorable in their methods their business has 
shown a steady and rapid growth, Many of their clients have dealt with 
them for several years and this is in itself proof of both their 
ability and their integrity. 

	Mr. Brink has a number of other business interests. He owns a 
dairy farm adjoining Platte and keeps a considerable number of high 
grade Holstein cows. He also holds title to a stock ranch, which is 
operated by his daughter and on which he keeps sixty head of cattle and 
a number of horses. 

	Mr. Brink was married on the 1st of February, 1889, to Miss 
Jennie Vandenbos, a daughter of D. Vandenbos, and to this union have 
been born the following children: Johanna C., Maria, Sebia, Dirk B., 
Bert, Cornie A. and Cornelia. 

	Mr. Brink is a republican and supports the candidates of that 
party consistently at the polls. He belongs to the local commercial 
club and is in hearty sympathy with its aims and purposes. His 
religious faith is indicated by his membership in the Christian Reform 
church. He does all in his power to advance the interests of his 
community and of the state of South Dakota, never being too much taken 
up with his private affairs to cooperate with movements seeking the 
general welfare. The large measure of material success which he has 
gained is entirely due to his own initiative and business acumen and is 
incontrovertible testimony to his ability.