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Gerrit Jan Navis

 

 

 

 

 The Navis Family circa 1900

Back row L-R: Cynthia, Bena, John, Lydia, Hannah       Front row: Henrietta, George, Josie, Garrit

Born: 11 Feb 1853, Aalten, Holland

Parents: Berend Hendrik Navis and Johanna Heunink

Siblings: Berendina Cornelia (1837-?), Arent Jan (1839-?), Arent Jan (1841-?), Hendrika Johanna (1844-?), Gerrit (1849-?), Grada Gesina (1850-1852) See separate note on Dutch naming patterns.

Marriage: to Hendricka “Henrietta” Graven 12/5/1876

Children: Johanna (Hannah), Alida  (Lydia), Cynthia, Bena (Dena), John (Hendrik Jan), Josephine ”Josie”, George

Immigration: Garret Navis came to this country most likely in 1869 with his first cousin, JB Schepers.  There was a 28 year age difference between JB and Garret, and JB and his wife, Janna, were probably thought of as “aunt and uncle”.  They had no children and Garret, being a young man of 16, was probably very excited at this new adventure. There is much family folklore surrounding his trip here.  It had been rumored that Gerrit was a stowaway on the boat.  Although a death record is not available, it is thought that Gerritt’s mother, Johanna, died when Gerrit was an infant.  With immigration records available to date, Gerrit’s name cannot be located on any ship from the Netherlands.

Death: 7 Nov 1927, Oostburg, WI.  Died at age 74 of sigmoid colon cancer. Buried Union Cemetery

Obituary:

Obituary from the Sheboygan Press, Nov.8, 1927:
AGED OOSTBURG RESIDENT DIES
Oostburg- Garrett Navis, 74, died at the home of his daughter, Mrs. John Simmelink, near Gibbsville, Monday at 1:30 a.m. after a lingering illness.

The deceased was born in Holland Feb. 15, 1853, and came to this country at the age of 16 years. On Dec. 5, 1876, he was united in marriage with Miss Henrietta Graven, and on Dec. 5, 1926 they had the honor of celebrating their golden wedding anniversary.

He leaves to mourn his loss his wife, one son John Navis of Adell, and four daughters, Mrs. Henry Ramaker of Adell, Mrs. Bert Simmelink of Hoard, Mrs. John Simmelink of Gibbsville, and Mrs. John Veldboom of Oostburg. The youngest son, George, died about 10 years ago at age 24 years, and a daughter, Mrs. William Dekker, died about four years ago.

Mr. Navis was a highly respected resident of the town of Holland where he farmed until three months ago when illness forced him to dispose of his property. Since that time he and his wife have lived with their daughter, Mrs. John Simmelink.
 
Funeral services will be held at the home of John Simmelink, Gibbsville, Wednesday at 12 m (?) and from the Christian Reformed Church at Oostburg at 1:30 pm. Interment will be made at the Union Cemetery.

Census:

1920 US Census, Sheboygan Co, Town of Holland:
Garret J. Navis, age 66, year of emmigration 1869, papers filed, born Holland, farmer on dairy farm, owns property
Hendrika, wife, age 67, born WI

1910 US Census, WI, Sheboygan Co, Town of Lima
Garrit Navis, age 55, married 32 years, born Holland, year of immigration 1896 (this is not correct), naturalization papers filed
Hattie, wife, age 57, 7 children born, 7 alive, born WI, parents born Holland
George, 18, farm laborer

1900 US census, Wisconsin, Sheboygan Co, Town of Holland (indexed as Nares):
Garret Navis, head, born Feb 1854, age 49, married 23 years, born Holland, both parents born Holland, occupation farmer, year of emmigration 1969, in US 31 years
Henrietta, wife, age 46, born July 1853, married 23 years, 7 children born, 7 living, born WI, parents born Holland; Josephine, daughter, age 12, born Jan. 1888 in WI;
George, son, age 8, born Jan 1892.
Bena is listed at servant in previous household

1880 US Census, WI, Sheboygan Co, Town of Holland:
Garret J. Naves, age 26, farmer, born Holland
Henrietta, wife, age 28, wife, born Holland
Hannah, age 3, born WI
Lyda, age 1, born WI

1870 Census, cannot locate under any spelling variation

AUCTION NOTICE IN SHEBOYGAN PRESS OCT. 29, 1927

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