The names of many places and families in this vicinity reflect the origin of its early settlers. Most of the settlers of Cedar Grove and Oostburg came from the province of Zeeland, although some had lived for a time in New York before moving west in the 1840's. Settlers cleared enough ground for new homes, which were raised or "logged up" with the help of neighbors. In 1847, Pieter Daane wrote that very many had nothing but a ground floor, stools sawed from logs as their only seats, and a chest serving as a table. In 1847, one group of about 300 immigrants bound for new homes here met disaster when, after completing the long journey from Holland and coming within five miles of their destination, fire broke out aboard the Phoenix and more than 200 lives were lost.