Geert Broene was born 16 September 1838 in Hocklenkamp, Grafschaft Bentheim, the eldest of six children of Harm Hendrik Broene and Kunnegien Nyboer. He was named after his paternal grandfather, an Oefenaar or lay preacher. In 1865 Geert emigrated from Grafschaft Bentheim to Graafschap, Michigan, along with his father, stepmother Jennechien Dyke, four siblings, four step–siblings, and his fianceé, Andina Harmsen.