Den Herder, Gerrit J. 1848-1925 and Janetje Mol Family

DENHERDER, MOL, PONSTEEN, VANRAALTEN

Posted By: Wilma J. Vande Berg - volunteer (email)
Date: 9/22/2021 at 05:59:48

Den Herder, Gerrit J.1848-1925 and Janetje Mol Family

This story was taken from the Sioux Center Centennial book of 1991 page 309 and was submitted by Dorothy G. Wynia. It was transcribed for this BIOS by Beth De Leeuw and some research notes were added by Wilma J. Vande Berg, both of the Greater Sioux County Genealogical Society.

Gerrit J. Den Herder and his wife, Janetje (Mol) were both born in Nunspeet, Gelderland, Netherlands. Gerrit, son of Mr. Mrs. Jacob Den Herder, was born Feb. 22, 1848, and Janetje Mol was born April 26, 1863.

While living in Nunspeet, two sons were born to them. Jake was born March 3, 1888, and Clarence was born Dec. 14, 1889.

The conditions in the Netherlands were not good. Some of their brothers and sisters had already immigrated to the United States. Gerrit J. and Janetje decided they would also go to America even if their younger son was only a few months old. On Feb. 17, 1890, they arrived in America and boarded a train. Their destination was Maurice, Iowa. Sioux Center did not have train service at that time. Janetje’s brother, Cornelius Mol, had a small home for them to live in on their farm southwest of Sioux Center in Center Township.

Gerrit J. soon found a job helping build the railroad to Sioux Center. After this, he helped his brother-in-law. Corenlius Mol, work some land just west of Sioux Center in Welcome Township. It was at this time that Cornelius had an accident with a binder and remained a cripple, but continued to work even though he was handicapped.

Gerrit J. had the opportunity to rent a farm west of Sioux Center in Center Township. He moved with his family to this farm place and lived and rented the 240 acres from the Eppink Estate until he retired.

Their family continued to grow. Anne was born on Dec. 13, 1891. Another daughter Tillie was born on May 6, 1893. Tunis joined the family on May 11, 1895. Gerrit John, better known as John, was born Jan. 12, 1897. Henry was born July 18, 1899, and on Nov. 12, 1902 Johanna was born.

The Den Herders wanted to become citizens of the United States and so on Feb. 28, 1895 they applied for citizenship along with their sons, Jake and Clarence. On May 16, 1899, their citizenship papers were finalized.

Gerrit J. must have worked a lot with rope in the Netherlands because he was very skilled at tying all kinds of knots, and splicing and repairing ropes.

Johanna became ill with typhoid fever and died on July 13, 1917. On May 25, 1918, Anne died of a kidney disease. The mother, Janetje, died on Sept. 6, 1919.

After Gerrit J. retired, he made his home with his daughter, Tillie. He died on Nov. 15, 1925. They are all buried in Memory Gardens, Sioux Center, Iowa.

All of the sons became farmers. Jake married Fanny Schut on Feb. 25, 1916. They had three daughters and one son. They lived most of their life in the Maurice, Iowa, area. Jake died on Nov. 16, 1964. Clarence married Rena Wissink on Feb. 27, 1919, and lived in the Sioux Center area. They had three daughters. Clarence died on April 13, 1953. Tillie married Neal Schut on Nov. 27, 1917, and made their home in the Maurice, Iowa, vicinity and had three sons. Tillie died in Sioux Center, Iowa, on August 8, 1968.

Tunis married Johanna Vander Ploeg on Feb. 22, 1923, and lived in the Sioux Center area. They had a son and a daughter. Tunis died June 29, 1968. John married Marie Vermeer on July 29, 1920. They lived near Hull, Iowa. They had one son, and retired in Sioux Center, Iowa. John died October 7, 1968. Henry married Aatje “Etta” Sandbulte, and had four daughters, and they now live in Sioux Center, Iowa.

by Dorothy G. Wynja

RESEARCH NOTES: added by Wilma J. Vande Berg

Netherlands records found on www.wiewaswie.nl

BIRTH record of Gerrit J. Den Herder born to Jacob Den Herder a farmer age 37 and Eilbertje Ponsteen 40, born on 22 Feb 1848 Ermelo, Nunspeet, Gelderland, Netherlands.

BIRTH record of Jannetje Mol born to Klaas Mol, age 38 and Teunisje van Raalten age 36, on 26 Apr 1863 at Ermelo, Gelderland, Netherlands.

MARRIAGE record for Gerrit den Herder a farmer age 39, and Jannetje Mol age 24, His parents were Jakob den Herder and Eibertje Ponsteen and Her parents were Klaas Mol and Teunisje van Raalten. They were married 5 May 1887 at Ermelo, Gelderland, Netherlands.

OBITUARY of Gerrit J. Den Herder 1848-1925
DenHerder, Gerrit J 1848- 15 Nov 1925 Maurice, IA.
Find a Grace lists Gerrit J. Den Herder born Nunspeet Gelderland, Netherlands died 15 Nov 1925 Sioux Center IA Wife Jannetje. Children listed – Jannetje, Teunis, John G., Clarence, Jacob, Anna, Johanna and Tillie Schut.
Death record named wife as Jeanette Mol, and he was a son of Jacob den Herder.
Birth Record in Netherlands list his parents as Jacob Den Herder and Eibertje Ponsteen, he was born 22 Feb 1848 at Hoophuizen, Nunspeet, Gelderland, Netherlands.
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Sioux Center Nieuwsblad of Nov 15, 1925 (In Dutch)
Translated:
On Thursday afternoon, November 15, we were greeted by the death of our beloved father, Gerrit J. Den Herder, at the age of 77 years and nearly nine months. In the last years his powers diminished, yet death came unexpectedly. We must not trot like those who have no hope. Father was silent, but he relied on the finished work of Jesus, he whom he sought his salvation. We trust that he is now with his Lord and with the loved ones who have gone before him. This gives one comfort.
We wish to thank friends and neighbors for their sympathy and assistance in the event of death and the burial. His Children: Mr. and Mrs. Jacob Den Herder- Schut, Mr. and Mrs. Clarene Den Herder - Wissink, Mr. and Mrs. Neal Schut-DenHerder, Mr. and Mrs. Teunis Den Herder - VanderPloeg, Mr. and Mrs. John Den Herder-Vermeer, and Mr. and Mrs. Henry Den Herder - Sandbulte.

OBITUARY of Jannetje Mrs. Gerrit Den Herder 1863-1919
The Sioux county Cemetery Index lists Mother Den Herder born 25 Apr 1863 Nunspeet Gelderland, Netherlands, died 6 Sep 1919 buried in the Sioux Center Cemetery. No published obituary was found. Most of 1919 Sioux Center News didn’t survive.
This was found to be Jennie or Jannetje Mol wife of Gerrit Den Herder born 1848. She was the daughter of Klaas Mol and Teunisje Van Raalte. She was the mother of Clarence 1889, Klaas 1890, Annie 1892, Tillie 1894, Teunis 1896, Gerrit J. 1897, Henry 1899, and Johanna 1902-1917.

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