Hericks Family
History and
Information
Back row: Alphonse, Harry, John, Bertha, Anthony, Frank Front row: Johanna (Mother), George, John Henry (Father), Phyllis Approximate Year: 1906
John Henry Hericks came from a well to do family. His parents were Lambert and Harmina (Klein Ikkink) Hericks who owned a farm outside of Winterswijk, Province of Gelderland, Netherlands in Ratum. He was born 27 January 1845 in Winterswijk, Province of Gelderland, Netherlands in Ratum, and died April 28, 1920 in Cincinnati, Ohio. He did at least have 7 siblings. He married Johanna Harmina Hesselink about 1883 in the Netherlands, daughter of John Hesselink and Harmina, was born 15 May 1858 in the Netherlands, and died 7 Mar 1921 in Cincinnati, Ohio. Family oral history states: For a time, the Hericks family employed a second floor maid named Johanna Harmina Hesselink. John Henry and Johanna met and ran off to get married without his parents consent. Later being disowned by his family; he was forced to buy his own farm, probably outside the area of Amsterdam, in the Netherlands. John Henry was a member of the Palace Royal Guard. As a member, he was required to perform this duty every five years, for the King of Holland. This would run a span of six months to two years, of which he would live at the Palace Guard Quarters. He would have had this commitment well into his sixties. John Henry was apparently involved in contraband, the bringing of cattle illegally from another part of the country of Holland and/or Germany. I have no idea if he was in trouble with the authorities. This may have been the reason, or one of the reasons why they decided to leave the Netherlands. Before leaving the Netherlands, he left his farm with one of his brothers to maintain. In later years (about 1909), John Henry would returned to the Netherlands only to find out that his farm had been totally lost. They were at the port of Amsterdam, Netherlands the last week of June 1883. John Henry signed in as Jan Herichs, age 30, journeyman from Germany with the destination for the USA. The fourth person later to sign in was Johanna. She signed in as Harmina Hisselink, age 25 from Germany with the destination for the USA. Johanna was at least six and half months pregnant when they boarded the ship Schiedam bound for America. They arrived in New York Harbor on August 11, 1883. They were in Cincinnati, Ohio by 12 September 1883 because their first born John L. Hericks was born in Cincinnati, Ohio on that date. In no time, they established their selfs in Cincinnati, Ohio. They lived in the West side at 82 Oehler St., John Henry was working as a laborer and they became members of St. Anthony Church located in the West side on Budd St. They lived in this area the rest of their lives together. The other residents they lived at were 568 Freeman Ave, 224/952 Carr St., and by 1911 at 915 Gest St. They were the parents of eight children: John L. (1883); Anthony Lambert (1885); Harry George (1887); Bertha Anna (1889); Frank A. (1890); Alphonse F. (1893); Philomina H. (1896); and George Engelbert (1899). John Henry worked at a brewery as a hostler and teamster. He would take care of the horses in the stables and he also drove a team of horses pulling a wagon. By 1910, he was the foreman of the brewery stables and doing the hiring and firing. John Henry spoke pretty good english and Johanna spoke very little. On 28 Apr 1920, at the age of 75 years and 3 months, John Henry passed away. His funeral and burial services were handled by William Siefke, Funeral Director. On 19 May 1920, He was buried in Section 21, Lot 208, at Old St. Joseph Cemetery, Cincinnati, Ohio. After John Henry's death, the 915 Gest St. residents was left to his children. The youngest son George purchased it from the other siblings. Johanna lived on the second floor until she passed away. Johanna passed away on 7 Mar 1921, at the age of 62 years, 9 months, and 20 days. Her funeral and burial services were handled by William Siefke, Funeral Director. On 19 Mar 1921, She was buried next to her husband John Henry at Old St. Joseph Cemetery, Cincinnati, Ohio. Note: The owner of the cemetery lot was a Henry Pohlmann. He was John Henry and Johanna's sponsor to america. A sponsor must insure that upon their arrival to america, the individuals have a job, shelter, etc., It sure seems that he fulfilled his responsibilities. As who he was in connection to our ancestors, I have know idea! It may be worthwhile finding out.
Hericks Family Farm in Ratum, Netherlands Photos and Information
Hericks Family Farm in Ratum, Netherlands
If any of our surnames connect with your research needs, feel free to contact us. Also, if you, or a relative, know anything more about the descendants, siblings or ancestors of our surnames, or notice that we are missing some important information and/or have suggestions or comments pertaining to this page, please feel free to e-mail us at: [email protected]
This page last updated 1 Jan 2007 Copyright © 1996-2007*Tom and Sharons Family Surnames*All Rights Reserved |
