Van Leeuwen, W. H. (1807-1882) | Heritage Hall, Hekman Library

Rev. W.H. Van Leeuwen (Wilehelmus Hein) born 22 October 1807 married Maria, Catherina, Francisca Benrath in 20 March 1832.

He was Principal of Public Schools at Amsterdam, Kingdom of the Netherlands.  While attending to these duties, he devoted his spare time in the study for the ministry:  graduated in 1845, in English, French, Latin, German, Hebrew, Greek and Holland Languages, and took his first charge that year at Woerden, North Brabant, Netherlands.  From there he went to Den Helder, North Holland and remained there for 12 years; from there he went to Werkendam, North Brabant and in 1863 accepted the fourth call at Grand Rapids, Michigan, to the then known Ware Hollandsche Gereformeerde Gemeente (now known as the Christian Reformed Church).

From thence he went to Patterson, N.J. and then accepted a call to Collendoorn (East Saugatuck), Michigan.  He died at Grand Rapids, Michigan on 8 October 1882.