Born in Holland He departed the Netherlands May 23rd 1903 on the ship SS Noordam arriving at the port in New York, New York on June 1st 1903, he made a home in Kalamazoo Michigan and returned to The Netherlands in 1906 to purchase a ticket to America for his bridesmaid. She left Groningen, Netherlands from the port in Rotterdam on April 6th 1907 with the ticket to Michigan paid for by him on the ship Niew Amsterdam she arrived at the port in New York where he was waiting for her. They married and lived in Comstock, Michigan working as Celery Farmers, after his death she returned to the Netherlands for a visit with their three children returning back to the USA June 25th 1928.
While there the youngest son learned the trade of baker and in 1945 he moved to California bringing his wife and the first three of four children born to this family, the last son being born in California. Yucaipa, California was the home of the bakery he started and for thirteen years the family proudly ran this successful bakery.
His oldest son worked along side his Dad in the family bakery learning the trade mastered in Holland from his Dad the son of a proud Dutch immigrant. In 1960 this Son married the love of his life and from this union a Daughter was born, this Daughter the Great Grand Daughter of the man who bought a ticket to America for the Woman he loved and crossed the ocean to live the American Dream is the Girl who said yes when I asked her to marry me.
That is a beautiful story man. Really sweet, and I love the gentle narrative.
ReplyDeleteAnd hey, I used to live in Comstock, MI, so that's kind of cool, lol.
What a lovely retracing of how Cindy came to become your bride. The line of history and the point of origin gives a certain richness. A familiar story for most American families who in one way or another are descended from immigrants...from places all over the world. Except the Native Americans who are original to this land. . It is why we are the melting pot of the world and what makes America such a special and unique place.
ReplyDeleteHow interesting, I love this story!
ReplyDeleteThat is so cool! I love how he came and set up a place and then sent for his bride. He must of been a successful man to have afforded that.
ReplyDeleteLove it!
I love the way you tell this story.
ReplyDeleteI bet a Dutch baker makes some pretty mean bread!
Le sigh*
ReplyDeletebeautiful story..
Hey TS, Thank You Sir, I have never been to Michigan myself but having lived in Comstock you probably can picture where the Celery Farms were located.
ReplyDeleteSusie, I learned a lot of this from talking with Cindy’s Grandmother and also researching their family line, I actually found ship records showing the departures and arrivals and along with census records that verify a lot of stories told by the family, “we are the melting pot of the world” this is so true. :)
Thank You Ms A, I’m happy you enjoyed it my Friend.
Hey Heather, I thought it was pretty cool when I found this information, I was actually searching his name and along with hers it popped up this ships record showing her ticket paid for by “Bridegroom” next to his name.
Good Morning Joe, It’s funny Cindy’s Dad still does the majority of the cooking and when she is not thrown out of the kitchen he is sharing some of the “secret family recipes” with her.
Morning Lynne, Thank You Mam :^)
What a GRRRRRRREAT story, Jimmy!
ReplyDeleteWhen I first started reading this, I had no idea where you were going with it. Then, when I got to the end, I went.....WOW!!!!!
It was like DESTINY!
Is today your anniversary?
Thank You Ron,
ReplyDeleteI always loved the history of this family coming to America the way they did and making a life for themselves through hard work.
No Sir not our Anniversary yet---Next Month :) Man I should have posted this one then Ha Ha
Very nice story. It's very brave to leave the home you know and strike out like that... I can't even imagine.
ReplyDeleteLove this story!
ReplyDeleteHey Kristy, Looking back I suppose someone in all of our families did the same thing and took a chance at a better life so to say.
ReplyDeleteThank You Suzicate :^)
Beautiful story
ReplyDeleteThank You Peg :)
ReplyDeleteAwesome Jimmy!!
ReplyDeletethat was really good...
Thank you Pat,
ReplyDeleteI appreciate you Sir