Gerritsen, Henry 1850-1915 and Johanna Mieras Family

GERRITSEN, MIERAS, HOWARDE, REIJNHOUT

Posted By: Wilma J. Vande Berg - volunteer (email)
Date: 6/15/2024 at 21:09:16

Gerritsen, Henry 1850-1915 and Johanna Mieras Family

This story was taken from pages 358-359 of the Maurice Centennial Book (1891-1991). The story was transcribed for this BIOS by Beth De Leeuw of the Greater Sioux County Genealogical Society. Some research notes were added by Wilma J. Vande Berg

(One of Our First and Foremost Citizens)
Holland was the birthplace of many of the sturdiest citizens of America. A nativity in that country is as good a recommendation as the ordinary man would want for citizenship in these United States. It is a matter of history that natives of Holland, who emigrated to this country came prepared to adapt themselves to our customs and usages and to become our most loyal citizens. Time and experience has shown that where you find a Hollander, or a community of Hollanders, you will also find thrift, the best citizenship and a deep respect for the laws of the commonwealth.

Henry Gerritsen was one of those Hollanders. He was born in Velp, Province of Gelderland, The Netherlands on February 21, 1850. At the age of four years he came to America, in 1854, with his parents, Evert and Marie Gerritsen and two sisters. They first settled in Fond du Lac County, Wisconsin.

After farming in the Alto, Wisconsin, area for eleven years, the family moved to Greenleafton, Fillmore County, Minnesota. Henry assisted his father on the farm. When there was no work to do, he availed himself of the educational advantages that were within his reach. He also worked in the carpenter trade and worked for one year in Chicago, being there at the time of the great Chicago fire in October, 1871. Henry married Johanna Mieras on December 22, 1875, in Greenleafton, Minnesota. One son, William, was born November 23, 1876.

They moved to Maurice, Iowa, in 1883, just after the town was started. Henry and Johanna were among the first members of the Maurice Reformed Church organized on October 23, 1884. In 1883, before the church was organized, a Sunday School was started at the Northwestern depot and he was elected superintendent and after the church was built in 1886, he was again chosen as superintendent. He was awarded the contract to build the church parsonage to be erected in the summer of 1886. Total cost of the parsonage was $1,500. Early in 1896 an organ was purchased for the church for $150 and it was said that he learned to play the organ using one finger of each hand.

Henry found an abundance of work at his trade as the town was enjoying a considerable building boom. Many of the best buildings of the town were partially the result of his particular skills. In the early 1890’s he was engaged for three years buying grain and during the two years following, engaged in the farm machinery trade. He also operated a photograph studio and several of the photographs of the views and portraits contained in this publication are the result of his artistic skill. Henry and his son, William, established the Maurice Furniture Store which developed into a successful business venture.

During the time they lived in Maurice, Henry and Johanna, better known as Jennie, were blessed with three additional children: Frank 1885; Mary 1890; and Florence 1899. Also living with them at the family home was Henry’s widowed father, Evert Gerritsen.

In December of 1900, the lure of the West, the promise of excellent land and a more moderate climate drew Henry and his family to accompany about 70 Dutch families from the northwest corner of Iowa, to settle in the Yakima Valley of the State of Washington. He became a successful farmer growing crops principally of fruit, potatoes and alfalfa.

Henry preceded his wife in death. He died March 12, 1915, and his wife, Jennie died January 18, 1938. His children and their spouses have all passed away and the only remaining members of the Henry Gerritsen family are seven grandchildren and their offspring.

As a man and a citizen, Henry Gerritsen tried to be just and fair with dealing with his fellow man and strived to live up to that good old proverb “Do unto others as you would have them do to you”.

(end of family story in the Maurice book.)

RESEARCH Notes: From a family report on ancestry.com public member trees submitted by other than this submitter.

Hendrik Henry Gerritsen born 5 May 1845 Velp Rheden, Gelderland, Netherlands died 12 Mar 1915 Yakima Washington. His parents were Evert Gerritsen 1818-1904 and Maria Catharina Marianne Howarde 1822-1886. He married Johanna E. ‘Jennie’ Mieras 22 Dec 1875 at Forrestville, Filmore County MN.

Johanna E. ‘Jennie’ Mieras was born 27 Jun 1859 Alto, Fond du Lac, Wisconsin and died 18 Jan 1938 Moxee City, Yakima, Washington. Her parents were Willem L. Mieras 1823-1892 and Quirina ‘Carrie’ Reijnhout. 1822-1891.

CHIKDREN of Henry and Jennie Gerritsen:
1. William Everet Gerritsen born 23 Dec 1876 Bristol, Fillmore, MN died 21 Feb 1966 Yakima WA
He married Fannie Jongjan 1881-1954. They had children – Mabel Gerrisen 1908-1980, Maurice W. Gerritsen 1912-2003, Edna Bernice Gerritsen 1913-2003,

2. Frank Augustus Gerritsen born 6 May 1885 Maurice Sioux Iowa died March 1964 Auburn King, Washington. He married Cornelia Wayenberg 1891-1987. Their children were Howard Wernon Gerritson 1915-1986 and Lillian Mae Gerritsen 1922-2015.

3. Marie Gerretsen born 11 Nov 1890 Maurice, Sioux, Iowa and died 19 Feb 1930 Oak Harbor, Island, Washington. She married Henry Coster born 1903

4. Florence Gerritsen born 2 Jul 1898 Maurice IA and died 16 Jan 1937 Yakima, Yakima, Washington. She married John J. Verstrate 1894-1958. Their children were Raymond Clifford Verstrate 1922-2005, Leslie Paul Verstrate 1923-2010, Chester ‘Chet’ Wayne Verstrate 1929-2018, William L. Verstrate 1930-2017.

DeVolkvriend of Mar 23, 1915 Yakima News
Henry John Gerritsen overleed den 12 Maart. Hij was reeds eenige maanden lijdende geweest aan een hartkwaal, die later met bijkomstige kwalen, hem eenigen tijd bedlegerig had doen zijn. Hij was geboren in Den Haag, Ned., in 1850 en kwam op 5 jarigen leeftijd naar Amerika. In 1875 trad hij in het huwelijk met Jennie Mieras, uit welk huwelijk 4 kinderen werden gaboren die hem overleven en met de bedroefde weduwe zijn dood betreuen. Him had zijn Zaligmaker gezocht in sijn leven en dus was ht stervan voor hem gewin. De grgrafenis had plaats den 15n. Onder leiding van ds. v. Heuvelen. Een groote schare was tegenwoordig om hare sympthie te toonen met de bedroefde familie.
Translated:
Henry John Gerritsen died on the 12th of March. He had been suffering for some months from a heart condition, which afterwards with concomitant ailments had left him bedridden for some time. He was born in The Hague, the Netherlands, in 1850 and came to America at the age of 5.
In 1875 he married Jennie Mieras, from which marriage 4 children were born who survived him and with the sorrowful widow, he passed to death. His Savior had sought him in his life, and so the star of it was gain for him. The grave, was buried on the 15th. Under the leadership of Rev. V. Heuvelen. A great crowd was present to show their sympathy with the sorrowful family.

OBITUARY OF JOHANNA GERRITSEN
DeVolksvriend of Feb 10, 1938 Correspondence of Yakima WA
In Memoriam – Gerritsen
De Vr Vereen der Hollandsche gemeente van Yakima Wash betruigt door dezen hare deelneming in het overlijden van een harer leden. Mrs. Jennie Gerritson, on Dinsdag 18 Jan 1938, in den ouderdom van 78 jaar Zij was een der oprichtende leden dezer vereeniging, en steeds een getrouw en werkzaam lid. Twee dochters gingen haar voor waarvan de jongste, Mrs. J. Verstrate pas een jaar geleden is overleden. Zij wordt overleefd door twee zoona, negen kleinkineren, en dre zusters. Wij gelooven dat zij is ingegaan in de rust die er overblijft voor het volk van God. Besloen deze kennisgeving op te nemen in onze notulen. Signed Mrs. D. e. Elings, pres, Mrs. P. a. Hiysman.
Translated:
The Free Association of the Dutch congregation of Yakima Wash expresses its condolences in the death of one of its members. Mrs. Jennie Gerritson, on Tuesday, Jan. 18, 1938, at the age of 78 years. She was preceded by two daughters, the youngest of whom, Mrs. J. Verstrate, died only a year ago. She is survived by two sons, nine grandchildren, and three sisters. We believe that she has entered into the rest that remains for the people of God. Decide to record this notice in our Minutes. Signed Mrs. D. E. Elinga, pres, Mrs. P.A. Hijysman.

Picture on page 358 of Maurice book.

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