Boersma, Harke 1842-1914 & Wyke Talsma Family

BOERSMA, TALSMA, MIEDEMA, KOOPMANS

Posted By: Wilma J. Vande Berg - volunteer (email)
Date: 7/2/2022 at 15:09:34

Boersma, Harke 1842-1914 and Wyke Talsma Family

This BIOS on the Harke Boersma family was compiled by Wilma J. Vande Berg of the Greater Sioux County Genealogical Society. The submitter was not able to find a published biography so this was compiled from several available resources.

From a family report on ancestry.com (done by other than submitter)
Harke Gerrits Boersma was born 10 Apr 1842 Kollum, Friesland, Netherlands and he died 29 May 1914 in Floyd Tsp. Sioux County Iowa. He was the son of Gerrit Lubberts Boersma 1812-1872 and Janke Harkes Miedema 1810-1894. He married Wijke Mattheus Talsma who was born 13 Aug 1850 Dronrijp, Friesland, Netherlands and died 23 Feb 1895 Floyd Tsp. Sioux County IA She was the daughter of Mattheus Oepkes Talsma 1812-1870 and Reintje Freerks Koopmans 1823-1870.

CHILDREN: Check for obituaries at www.iagenweb.org/sioux obits - to check for the Boersma families of the children listed.
1 . Gerrit Harkes ‘Garret Harry’ Beorsma 21 Oct 1873 Hospers IA died 3 Jan 1958 Deuel County SD His wife was Anna E. Van Zee 1886-1978
2 . Mattheus ‘Martin’ Harkes Boersma 6 Sep 1875 Floyd Tsp Sioux County IA died 10 Mar 1952 Sheldon IA. His wife was Aaltje ‘Ella’ H. Hofmeyer 1879-1954
3 . Jacob ‘Jake’ Harkes Boersma 30 Jun 1877 Floyd Tsp Sioux County IA died 27 Jan 1938 Hospers IA . His wife was Johanna ‘Josie’ Hofmeyer 1887-1981
4 . Lubbert ‘Lou’ Harkes Boersma born 5 Mar 1879 Floyd Tsp. Sioux County IA died 1943 Sioux County IA
His obit was carried in the Alton Democrat of Jun 25th 1943
5 . Renka ‘Rena’ H. Boersma born 28 May 1881 Hospers IA died 5 Feb 1973 Hospers IA Her husband was Gerrit Hofmeyer 1875-1940
6 . Janke ‘Jane’ H. Boersma born 25 Dec 1884 Hospers IA died 15 Nov 1964 Orange City IA Her husband was Harry J. Van Donselear 1883-1949
7 . Winnifred ‘Winnie’ H. Boersma born Oct 1887 Hospers IA died 16 Sep 1953 Blue Earth MN Her hsuband was John Jacob Visher 1886-1966
8. Martha H. Boersma born 29 Aug 1890 Hospers IA died 26 Apr 1983 Sanborn IA. Her husband was Hendrik ‘Dick’ Hofmeyer 1885-1941.

OBITUARY of Harke Boersma 1842-1914
Source: Alton Democrat issue of 30 May 1914, Alton column.
[NOTE: His first name was also spelled Harka in the newspaper.]
Harka Boersma died at his home a mile west of Hospers on Thursday May 28th of dropsy at the age of 87. Deceased was born in the Netherlands and came to the United States in 1867 and three years later located in Sioux County and was therefore one of Sioux County's pioneers. In 1873, at Hospers, he was united in marriage to Mrs. Wyke Talsma. This union was blessed with eight children all of whom survive. The funeral services will be held on Monday afternoon from the Presbyterian Church and will be in charge of Rev. Vander Heide. The surviving children are: George of Bemis, S.D., and Lewis, Mrs. G. Hofmeyer, Jake, Martin, Mrs. H. Van Donselaar, Mrs. J. Vischer and Mrs. Dick Hofmeyer of Hospers.
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Alton Democrat issue of 6 June 1914, Hospers column.
Harke Boersma, one of the very first settlers of Hospers vicinity, passed away Friday, May 29th of dropsy at the age of 72 years. The funeral was held from the Presbyterian church here Monday afternoon Rev. De Groot officiating. So well was Mr. Boersma known and so many his friends that the church was filled to overflowing. In the autumn of 1869 he and his brother Lubbert, together with K. Wieringa reached here from Pella, having covered the distance in a covered wagon. They camped on the river in this vicinity over night. It was a beautiful country, they thought, and an ideal place to live. That is, all but one thought so. This third man was not contented with the place. So they drew straws and fate decided they should remain. The three lived for three weeks in the covered wagon when they built some kind of a shack. Mr. Boersma is the first of the trio to pass on. His brother Lubbert is a resident of Duel county, S.D., and K. Wieringa lives in Hospers So well was Mr. Boersma satisfied with the farm that he picked out that day that he has lived on it ever since. Eight children survive. They are: Gerrit, of Bemis, S.D., Martin, Jake and Lubbert of Hospers; Mrs. Gerrit Hoffmeyer, Mrs. Harry Van Donselaar, Mrs. John Verschoor,and Mrs. Dick Hofmeyer all of Hospers. Among those from away who attended the funeral are; Klaus Wynia of Platte, S.D., Meindert Talsma of Boone Co., S.D., Lou Boersma of Bemis, S.D., Harry Boersma and Gerrit Sikkink of Day Co., S.D. and Mr. and Mrs. Fred De Vries of Minnesota.
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MORE NOTES:
Boersma, Harke born 1842 died 1914 Hospers IA buried in Hospers Memorial cemetery (WPA record)
Source: Hospers Tribune May 29th 1914
Harke Boersma who lives west of town is quite ill this week.
Note: By Jun 13th his last will and testament was published in the Alton Democrat.
Source: Hawarden Independent of Jun 11, 1914
Harka Boersma, one of the first fettlers of Hospers, died at his home there May 29th at the age of 72 years. He came to Sioux county from Pella, Iowa, in 1869. He is survived by eight children.
Note: From ancestry.com (done by others) Hake Boersma born 10 Apr 1842 Kollum Friesland Netherlands died 29 May 1914 Floyd Tsp Sioux County IA. wife was Wyke Talsma 1850-1895 They had children: Gerrit, Matheus, Martin, Jacob, Lubbert, Rena, Jane, Winnie, and Martha. Harke was the son of Gerit Biersma and Janke Harkes Miedema.
Research Note:
Harke Boersma born 11 April 1842 at Achtkarspelen Netherlands died 29 May 1914 Hospers IA. Married 2 May 1872 to Wyke ‘Winnie’ Talsma 1850 – 1895.
Harke Boersma is listed in the Sioux County cemetery index as born 1842 died 1914 buried in the Presbyterian Cemetery Hospers IA. He is listed in the newspapers at being ill and then his estate notices were posted but his obit was not readily found.
Note: According to a source on ancestry.com his father was Gerrit Lubberts Boersma 1812 and his mother was Janke Harkes Miedema 1810-1894.
His birth record found on http://www.wiewaswie.nl has him born 11 Apr 1842 Kollumerland Friesland and his parents were Gerrit Lubberts Boersma and Janke Harkes Miedema.

Obit of Wyke Mrs. Harke Boersma 1850-1895
Source: Find A Grave
Birth: August 13, 1850
Death: February 23, 1895
Wyke was born as Wijke Mattheus Talsma on 13 August 1850 in the Netherlands, Friesland province, Menaldumadeel municiplaity, village of Dromrijp. She died 23 February 1895 in Hospers, Sioux County, Iowa. She was married to Harke Boersma and they had five children: Martin,Jake,Rena,Jane, and Martha. Her parents were Mattheus Oepkes Talsma 1812-1870 and Rientje Freerks Koopmans 1823-1870.

Picture of Wyke Talsma Mrs. Harke Boersma that was posted on ancestry.com family report.