Jan Veldhuis
By Bentheimers International Society
A portion of General Major von Le Coq‘s Grafschaft Bentheim map (1805) depicting the city of Uelsen. Jan Veldhuis was born here in 1873.
Jan (John) Veldhuis was born on November 15, 1873 in Uelsen. His parents were Gerrit Hendrik Veldhuis and Lütte Alfering of Halle.
At the age of ten, Jan emigrated to the U.S. with his parents and three siblings aboard the S.S. Schiedam. After arriving in New York on May 14, 1883, the family traveled to Michigan, where they first lived in the Overisel area before moving to a farm in Allendale.
His parents Gerrit and Lütte had three other children in Grafschaft Bentheim and at least four more in Michigan:
- Hendrik (Henry)—born Jun 8, 1876 in Halle;
- Frederik—born December 20, 1879 in Uelsen;
- Geerdjen (Gertrude)—born May 29, 1881 in Halle;
- Benjamin—born in March, 1885 in Allendale;
- Fannye—born in May, 1887 in Allendale;
- Garet—born ca. 1890, died November 17, 1895 in Allendale; and,
- Albert—born February 26, 1893, died October, 1950.
Jan Veldhuis Family
On October 14, 1903, Jan (he used the name John Velthouse) married Emma L. Aye (Aie) in Lamont. Emma was born in Chicago on November 2, 1876 to German immigrants George and Henrietta Aie. A few years later, John and Emma adopted a two–year–old boy, Emmet. The family lived in Wyoming, Michigan for a number of years before moving back to Allendale. On June 9, 1933, Emma died in Allendale and was buried in the Allendale Township Cemetery.
A few months later, on October 18, 1933, John married Lily E. Leweke in the city of Allegan. Lily was born on February 10, 1892 in Trowbridge Township, Allegan County to William and Nellie L. Leweke. She had been married to Clayton Lindsley from 1920–22 but divorced him on grounds of non–support.
Jan and Lily were still living in Allendale in 1940, but some time after that, they moved to Allegan. Jan Velthuis died on August 30, 1953 and was buried in the Oakwood Cemetery. Lily passed away on March 26, 1957.
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