William Keusink was for many years actively engaged in business in Champaign, but is now living retired in that city. His family came to Champaign County before the Civil War.
Mr. Keusink was born in Schenectady, New York, August 19, 1856, a son of Benardus and Wilhelmina (Hall) Keusink. His parents were both natives of Holland, where they were married, and soon after their marriage they immigrated to America. About 1860 they came’ to Champaign, where the senior Keusink followed his trade as a machinist in the employ of the Illinois Central Railway Company. His death occurred in April, 1869. His widow survived him until July, 1913. Of their twelve children, six survived the father, and William Keusink was the third in age.
William Keusink grew up in Champaign, attended the local schools, and in 1872, at the age of sixteen, began to learn the cabinet maker’s trade. He followed that as an occupation until 1884, and then entered the laundry business. For twenty years Mr. Keusink conducted the leading laundry of this city, known as the Champaign Steam Laundry Company. He sold out in May, 1914, and has since retired and has merely looked after his private interests.
On June 28, 1879, he married Elizabeth Lynch, who was born in Cooperstown, New York, a daughter of William and Catherine (Lennon) Lynch. Her parents were both natives of Ireland, were brought to the United States as children, and lived first in New York City and afterwards in Utica, New York. The Lynch family removed to Champaign in 1875, but after three years returned to New York State, where Mrs. Keusink’s father died in September, 1911, and her mother on May 5, 1913. Mrs. Keusink was the oldest of six children.
Mr. and Mrs. Keusink have two children: William B., a druggist; and Wilhelmina M., wife of H. C. Johnson, of Champaign. Mr. Keusink is a Republican in politics and is affiliated with the Modern Woodmen of America. He served about twenty-five years in the Champaign volunteer fire department.