OSTFRIESEN-L Archives

Archiver > OSTFRIESEN > 2005-01 > 1104782642


From: "Karen De Groote-Johnson" <>
Subject: Re: [OSTF] Roll Call Part Deux!
Date: Mon, 3 Jan 2005 14:07:03 -0600
References: <1f1.321e3519.2f09efac@aol.com>


Geike Janssen Bonk immigrated in 1857 from Simonswolde and ended up
SOMEWHERE in IL.
There he married Trientje "Katharina" BLEEKER about 1860. We have no idea
who Trientje's parents are or where she was born. According to one family
researcher from years ago, Geike and Trientje were married 2 Aug 1861 in
Peoria, IL. However I don't know if that is correct as their first born
child, daughter Leici "Elisabeth" was born 12 Feb 1861 in IL. Geike and
Trientje's son, John W. was born 22 Feb 1869 in Freeport, IL. Geike also
enlisted in the Civil War in 1862 at Grand Detour, Ogle Co, IL. Bits and
pieces of evidence point to Stapelmoor as a possible birth location for
Trientje.

The family moved to Grundy Co, IA sometime after Feb 1869 but before Jun
1870 where they were enumerated in Shiloh Twp, P.O. Lithopolis. Trientje
died 17 Oct 1876 and is buried at the Colfax Presbyterian Cemetery, Grundy
Co, IA. Her baby Grace was only 3 months old. We would really like to find
the parents of Trientje.

--------------
Geike second married Fannechien LUTTJE(r)(n) Feb 1878, also at Colfax
Presbyterian Church. Fannie, as she was known, was born 6 Sep 1859 at
Dünebroek, Kreis Leer, OSTF, the daughter of Evverwyn (Evert) Lütje and
Geeske (Grace) Geertsma. Fannie's three brothers Geerd (George), Wübbo
(Joseph) and Johannes Wilkens (John), all changed their last name to
LETCHER.

Evert was the son of Wübbe Jans Lütje and Fennechien EVERS and he was born
at Vlagwedde, Groningen, NDL 5 Jan 1825. Evert had an older brother Jan
Wubbes Lutje b: about about 1816 in Veele, gem Vlaggtwedde, Gron and he
appears to stay in Groningen. Evert however moves to Dünebroek where he
marries Geeske(Grace) GEERTSMA born 3 Nov 1827 in Dunebroek to Geerd Wilken
Geertsma and Anna NANNINGA. They were married 18 Oct 1856 at Dunebroek and
all their children were born there until they immigrated in 1868/9 where
they went straight to Hardin Co IA. Evert dies before 1880 and I have yet
to find he resting place but Grace accompanies her daughter Fannie, her new
hubby Geike and family to Hamilton Co, IA in 1880 and by 1881 they are
settled in Hanson Co, SD at Emery where Grace dies in 1894. The only thing
we know about Grace's parents are their names and that they also had a
daughter named Aafke, other than that we have no dates or locations. Would
love to find their information. Also Fannie has a baby sister born in Iowa
but I have temporarily misplaced her information, sheez!~ Fannie's brother
Geerd(George) married Ella RICHORD either in Hanson Co, SD or Hardin Co, IA.
All their children are born in Hanson Co. Fannie's brother Wubbo (Joseph)
married Bertha BORCHERS and the children I have for them are also born in
Hanson Co. Fannie's baby brother, Johann Wilken ends up marrying Katie BONK
who is the daughter of Geike Bonk and Trientje Bleeker. So Johns sister
ends up becoming his step mother-in-law!! LOL Children born in Hanson Co,
SD also.

Phew, thanks to everyone who reads my novels and a special thanks to anyone
who might have a connection.
Karen in Iowa

This thread: