Nicholas went to the Land Office in Travewrse City, Michigan where he applied for a land patent on June 10, 1871. Nicholas, a single man, paid a $14.00 filing fee. The land was located on the West half of the Southwest quarter of the Northeast quarter of the Southwest quarter and the Northwest quarter of the Northwest quarter of Section 20, Township 21N of Range 7W containing 160 acres. This land wwas located in Riverside Township, Missaukee County east of McBain which was known as Owens until September 17, 1889. The Homestead Act of May 20, 1862 required that the applicant must live on the land for five years and make improvements by clearing some of the land for cultivation. On December 5, 1876, a certificate signed by Gillis and John McBain stated that Nicholas Sweeris had built a log cabin with a half board floor, shingle roof, one door and one window. He also had built a log barn, cleared 50 acres and planted 20 fruit trees and 24 currant bushes during the first five years. The final "Proof Certificate" signed by S.C. Moffatt, Register and Perry Hannah, Receiver certified that Gillis and John McBain were persons of respectability. Nicholas paid a fee of $4.00 on December 5, 1876.


Leenderd (Leonard)) and Cora left Holland Michigan and came to Missaukee County in June 1871. They took the grand rapids and Indiana Railroad to Reed City, Michigan. They had to travel by OX teams to continue their trip to Missaukee County as the railroad ended at Reed City. Only Leonard L, Cornelius, Peter and Martha came with their parents. Maria had married Otto Schaap and was living in the Holland, Michigan area at this time. The family settled on the land that Nicholas had obtained and helped him to develop it during the five year probationary period. After Nicholas received title to the land on December 5, 1876, he sold 80 acres to his father for $200.00 on December 5, 1877 . This land was described as the Northeast quarter of the Southwest quarter and the Northwest quarter of the Southeast quarter of Section 20, Township 21N of Range 7W in Riverside Tpownship, Missaukee county consisting of 80 acres. Nicholas retained the remaining 80 acres for his use until he sold it to William Van Digglen of McBain for $1000,00 on October 4, 1890. Nicholas and his wife, Mary A., were living in Crystal Valley, Oceana County, Michigan at the time of the sale. It is not known what happened to Nicholas after 1890.