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The years 1853-54 and '55 brought not less than 600 emigrants to this colony from the Netherlands. Probably seventy-five per cent of these were agriculturalists who later developed into some of our leading farmers and land owners. Of the others there were a number of men who had been engaged in mercantile pursuits in their native land, and these did much to help develop the business of the community.
But that which especially marked the emigration of this period was the large number of men who had the advantage of higher education. We do not exaggerate in stating that few if any localities in this country had a larger percentage of men of advanced learning in those early days, than this community. The results of this are still manifest today in the deep interest taken by our people in all that pertains to education.
In the list of emigrants of 1854 we find the names of Eysink and Nollen. Both of these were men of advanced learning, and experienced instructors. John Nollen, the oldest son of the family, was a graduate of Leyden University, one of the highest rank of the educational institutions of Europe. Before coming to America Dr. Nollen was professor of philosophy in a leading university. His brother, G. H. Nollen, was a talented artist who did much to develop the artistic character of the community. Henry Nollen, the third son, was also an experienced instructor. Herman, the youngest son of the family, had not yet chosen his calling, but became one of our leading farmers.
In 1855 two more men who had followed the profession of teaching in Holland, Bastiaan Vermeulen and Pelmulder, came to Pella. Vandermeulen taught a private school in Pella for many years. Pelmulder taught for a short time north of town and then took up farming.
H. Neyenesch was another educator of experience who as teacher in Central University and later in the public schools did much for the early education of our young pioneers. Mention of J. Hospers, James Muntingh, A. C. Kuyper and others has already been made. When we consider that added to this large number of men of education, Pella early in its history secured the location of Central University, it becomes evident that we were unusually equipped to develop the minds of our youth. May the day never come when the citizens of Pella will take a backward step in supporting all that makes for a high standard of education.