Johann Siebelts Wilhelms was born in 1803 in Kleinholum, ?? Parish, Wittmund County, Hannover Region, Ost Friesland, Germany. He was the son of Oelrich Jansen Wilhelms and Itzte Maria Jansen. Johann was united in marriage to Anna Elisabeth Wilhelms around 1826. Anna, the daughter of Galt Ihnken Wilhlems and Tjadke Margaretha Folkerts, was born in 1797 in Thunum, Thunum Parish, Wittmund County a town a few miles south of Kleinholum. Johann and Anna had at least seven children: Oelrich (1827), Galt (1829), Wilhelm (1832), Tjadke (1835), Itzte (1837), Itzte (1840) and Folkert (1842). The family lived in a house on built-up land above the flood level in Strohde bei Thunum, Thunum Parish where Johann worked as a laborer and cottager. Anna died in Thunum on December 10, 1880 at age 83. Johann died at age 82 on July 8, 1885 in Thunum. Both were buried in the Thunum Parish Cemetery.

The Children of Johann Siebelts Wilhelms and Anna Elisabeth Wilhelms

Oelrich Janssen Wilhelms (April 6, 1827-January 20, 1917) - Oelrich was born in Thunum. He was united in marriage to Nantke Margretha Stromer on August 20, 1853 in Thunum Parish Church. They lived in Thunum where Oelrich was a laborer for several years before moving to Nord Dunum a few miles to the south. Oelrich and Nantke had no children. Nantke died in August 1872 after 19 years of marriage. Less then a year later, Oelrich was united in marriage to his second wife, Harmke Gerardine Harms, on April 6, 1873 in Dunum Parish Church. Oelrich and Gerardine had ten children: Johann Siebelts (1873), Johne (1875), Anke (1878), Gerhard (1880), Wilhelm (1882), Theodor (1884), Friedrich (1887), Herman (1890), Hannah (1891) and Minnie (1892). The family lived in Nord Dunum where Oelrich worked as a laborer until late 1882. They immigrated to the U.S.A. from Bremen on the ship 'Koln' arriving in Baltimore on November 13, 1882. At first they lived in La Rose, Marshall County, Illinois and then Reynolds, Rock Island County, Illinois. Around 1894, the family moved to Calhoun County, Iowa where they farmed in Greenfield Township near the towns of Manson and Rinard. At age 90, Oelrich died in Rinard, Iowa of old age. His body was transported to Bruning, Nebraska where he was buried at the Trinity Lutheran Cemetery. After his death, his wife moved to South Dakota to be near her sons. In 1926 she died there in the town of Mitchell and she was buried next to her husband in Bruning, Nebraska. Oelrich's oldest son, Johann Siebelts Wilhelms,married his cousins (Theodor Harms Wilhelms) daughter and they lived in Bruning.

Galt Ihnken Wilhelms (October 8, 1829-December 6, 1861) - Galt was born in Thunum. Prior to his marriage he was living in Margens. He was united in marriage to Trientje Margretha Harms Irgena on December 28, 1852 in Thunum Parish Church. Galt and Trientje had five children: Theodor Harms (1853), Johann Siebelts (1855), Tina Margaretha (1858), Anna Elisabeth (1860) and Galt Ihnken (1862). The family lived in Margens before moving to Strohde bei Thunum where Galt worked as a laborer and cottager. Galt died at age 32 of a chest infection in Strohde and was buried at the Thunum Parish Cemetery. Three of his children immigrated to the U.S.A. Alone and at age 17, Galt's oldest son, Theodor Harms Wilhelms, immigrated to the U.S.A. from Bremen on the ship 'Hansa' arriving in New York on May 14, 1870. Within a few weeks he was living with his uncle, Wilhelm Wilhelms, in Peoria, Illinois. Theodor moved to Bruning, Nebraska around the same time as his uncle in 1883. Galt's oldest daughter, Tina, married Andreas Mammens around 1883 and they immigrated to the U.S.A. from Bremen on the ship 'Herman' arriving in Baltimore on September 26, 1883. Tina and Andreas Mammens lived in Illinois before moving to the Bruning area in 1885. They later moved to Calhoun County, Greenfield Township, Iowa then returned to the Bruning area around 1910. Galt's youngest son, Galt Ihnken Wilhelms, immigrated to the U.S.A. around 1890 and eventually settled in Bruning, Nebraska. Both sons and the daughter were buried at the Trinity Lutheran Cemetery in Bruning.

Wilhelm Wilhelms (August 13, 1832-August 24, 1888) - Wilhelm was born in Strohde bei Thunum. He was united in marriage to Tetke Margaretha Hicken on January 1, 1856 in Stedesdorf Parish Church. Wilhelm and Tetke had six children: Anna Elisabeth (1856), Eilt Hicken (1857), Eilt Hicken (1861), Johann Siebelts (1864), Oelrich Ihnken (1868) and Catharina Maria (1873). The family lived in Neufolstenhausen and Strohde bei Thunum where Wilhelm was a laborer. They immigrated to the U.S.A. from Bremen on the ship 'Leipzig' arriving in Baltimore on May 24, 1869. At first the family lived in Peoria, Illinois where Wilhelm worked as a grinder and later a laborer in a lumberyard. Around 1882/83 they moved to Bruning, Nebraska were they farmed. Wilhelm died there at age 56 of appendicitis and was buried at the Trinity Lutheran Cemetery.

Tjadke Margretha Wilhelms (January 3, 1835-May 22, 1856) - Tjadke was born in Strohde bei Thunum. She died there at age 21 of consumption and was buried at the Thunum Parish Cemetery.

Itzte Maria Wilhelms (October 29, 1837-March 14, 1838) - Itzte was born in Strohde bei Thunum and died there four months later.

Itzte Maria Wilhelms (January 1, 1840-after November 1873) - Itzte was born in Strohde bei Thunum. She was united in marriage to Suntke Wilhelms Suntken on April 20, 1862 in Thunum Parish Church. The family moved a few miles south to Neugaude in Dunum Parish where Suth worked as a laborer and farmer.

Folkert Dirks Wilhelms (September 28, 1842-after July 1885) - Folkert was born in Strohde bei Thunum. He was united in marriage to his brother Galt's widow, Trientje Margretha Irgena, 15 years his senior, on May 29, 1866 in Thunum Parish Church. Folkert and Trientje had at least two children: Tjadke Margaretha (1868) and Elisa Johanna (1868). The family lived in Strohde where Folkert worked as a laborer.

Page last updated 01/01/97.

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