Notes for Peter Bernadino Hulsebus: The name Berends is listed in a family record from Hilda Gerdes Denley Nicholson.
The following data on the lives of Peter Berends Hulsebus and his wife Ettje, was compiled during the period beginning the latter part of 1937, through 1938 and 1939 and 1940 to this writing in 1941.
Peter Berends Hulsebus and his wife Ettje Janssen Budde Hulsebus resided in Leer, Germany, from 1839 to either 1854 or 1855, where eight of their children were born. From this date to 1864, they lived in Breinermoor, Germany, where their last four children were born.
Their home in Breinermoor consisted of a 6 room house, all rooms being on one floor with a long hall between, separating the living quarters from the workshop (a cooperage shop) and the stables. In brief, their home, the workshop, and stables were all connected and under one roof. The plot of ground on which combination home, work shop, and stable stood, also contained a large orchard and garden in the rear. In addition to the cooperage business, they were farmers, owning a farm (number of acres unknown) on the outskirts of Breinermoor.
Peter Berends Hulsebus first came to the United States during the latter part of 1864, bringing with him two of his sons, namely, John Rudolf and Enno Hinrich. He ramined in the United States only a short time, returning to Germany for the purpose of disposing of his home, farm, etc., again returning to the United States, landing in New York City in April, 1965. On this trip he brought with him his wife and the remaining eight children, one, Diederich having died in 1850. One Bernhard at that time being a sailor, having gone to sea at the age of 14 years, and two sons, John Rudolf and Enno Hinrich, already in the United States having accompanied their father on this first trip.
When the family left Germany they departed from Bremen on the ship "Hansa" a vessel driven by power and sails. The Ship Hansa at that time was owned and operated by the North German Lloyd. This company today operating under the name Hamberg-American Line-North German Lloyd and still operating the ship Hansa, however, now a very luxurious steamer plying between New York City and Bremen, Germany.
(Here it is of interest to note that their son Bernhard who had already spent eight or nine years at sea previous to their departure from Germany, was a sailor on the ship Hansa during their trip accross.)
Their trip across as told by one of their daughters, Ettje Elina, was a very trying one. According to the captain of the ship. He referred to it as one of the worst of record at that time. She said that every thing that wasn't tied down was battered backwards and forwards, and that the boat tipped to an angle permitting the water to pass through the port holes.
On their arrival in New York, they were met at the pier by Albert Hulsebus, a brother of Peter Berends Hulsebus, who took the family to their home in Staten Island, N.Y. In a recent letter from (Aunt) Ettje Eilina, she writes; "I shall never forget the welcome afforded use by these good people. The grand feeling of having our feet on solid ground again, and how good the salted herring tasted, once we could eat with safety again."
On the third day after their arrival in New York, they left for Burlington, Iowa, there being met by Johann Budde, (a cousin of Ettje Janssen Budde Hulsebus) who with his wife were living in West Burlington, Iowa at that time. With his family they stayed over night, (Aunt Ettje) especially making mention in her letter of remembering the quality and quantity of pancakes they had the following morning for breakfast, possibly the first the children ever tasted.
The following morning the two sons, John Rudolf and Enno Hinrich; who came to the United States with their father on his first trip, called for the family with a team and wagon to take them all to their first home in this country, a timber farm of approximately 140 acres, located about twelve miles northwest of Burlington, Iowa, which Peter Berands Hulsebus had purchased on his first trip to the United States. They lived on this farm for a period of time (unknown) disposing of it and immediately buying another farm near Danville, Iowa, where they lived until some time in 1874. This farm was sold after which they moved to West Burlington, Iowa. Here they lived (occupation unknown) until some time during 1880, when they moved to Wayne County, Iowa, again locating on a small farm about 3 1/2 miles east of Lewisburg, Iowa.
NOTE: Lewisburg is not now shown on the map. It was located 8 miles south of Humeston, Iowa. It consisted of a general merchandise store, post office, country school, and Blacksmith shop. The store was owned by their son Bernhard, who was also Post Master.
At this date, 1880, ten of the eleven children were married, the youngest, Ida, was still at home. Six of them namely: John Rudolf; Enno Hinrich; Bernard; Deddelina; Johanna; and Ida, all resided near their parents in Wayne County, Iowa. Their families grew, in fact one might say they Hulsebus family represented a small German community in themselves, largely conversing in German, children included.
Peter Berends Hulsebus and his wife were a very devout and religious couple, adhering strictly to the doctrine of the German Lutheran Church. At his point we wish to quote a passage from the bible so as to better acquaint the decendents of this grand old couple of their high ideals, their standards of living, and their broad views.
Saint Mathew, chapter 18, verse 20.
"For where two or three are gathered together in my name, there I am in the midst of them."
This couple, to whom we of the third generation so reverantly refer to as "Opa and Oma," the writers of this record well remember with interest their teachings, their council, and their interpretation of this verse, certainly a broad and christian one, namely:
"Wherever you are, whether in foreigh lands or elsewhere, you will find God's house, a place of worship. Regardless of creed, color or language, or as the bible teaches, where two or three gathered in my name, there I am in the midst of them, and you also will be among them and find comfort."
There being no German church in the community, this family with their German neighbors met in a school house in the community, and conducted a Sunday school, and one of their number would read a serman, in that way they would worship. Occasionally, the Rev. Landeck from Des Moines County and the Rev. Peters of Creston, Iowa, would come and conduct the meeting. Later they engaged the Rev. Johannes F. Reinsch as Pastor. He also held German School, during the vacation of the English school, a few hours each day being devoted to bible study. A little later, a small church was built to worship in. On September 24th, 1891, the Reverend Reinsch married one of the grand daughters, Anna Margaretha Hulsebus, daughter of Bernhard Hulsebus.
On this farm in Wayne County, they lived until the death of Peter Berends Hulsebus in 1891. His wife continued to live on the farm a few years and then made her home with her daughter, Johanna Hinrika Hulsebus Gerdes for a number of years. In 1900, she moved to Peoria, Illinois, and lived with her daughter, Ettje Eilina Hulsebus Schmidt, until her death in the year 1917.
Before closing this brief record, we of the third generation want to express, and herewith record, our deepest and sincere gratitude our dear Aunt Ettje Eilina Hulsebus Schmidt, for her seventeen years of devoted life to the comfort of her mother, our Grandmother, we of the third generation, who so well remember our Grandmother, to remember the many, many times she expressed her gratitude for the love and devotion bestowed upon her by her daughter, a true fullfilment of the commandment; "Honor thy father and thy mother; that thy days may be long upon the earth which the Lord thy God giveth thee."
Aunt Ettje Eilina Schmidt at this writing has reached the age of 83 years, almost 84 years, and blessed with 10 children, 13 Grandchildren, and four great grand children.
Johann Gerhard Hulsebus John Diederich Gerdes Jan. 1941
More About Peter Bernadino Hulsebus and Ettje Janssen Budde: Marriage: Apr 27, 1839, Leer, Ostfriestland, Germany.
Marriage Notes for Peter Bernadino Hulsebus and Ettje Janssen Budde: Peter and Ettje resided in Leer, Germany, from 1839 to either 1854 or 1855 where 8 of their children were born. They lived until 1864 in Breinermoor, Germany where the last 4 children were born. He had a cooperage business and was also a farmer.
Their home in Breinermoor was a 6-room house. All rooms were on one floor with a long hall separating the living quarters from the cooperage shop and the stables. As was common in Germany, their combination home, workshop and stable was connected and was under one roof. They also had a large orchard and garden behind the house. The farm was on the outskirts of Breinermoor.
Peter first came to the U.S. during the latter part of 1864, bringing with him, sons John (Johann) and Enno. Peter returned home shortly to dispose of his farm and home in order to move to the U.S. This time he brought his wife Ettje and the reamining 8 children. Son Diederich had died in 1850 and son Bernhard was a sailor, having gone to sea at the age of fourteen.
The family left Germany from Bremen on the ship Hansa, vessel driven by power and sails. Their son Bernard, who had already spent eight or nine years at sea, was a sailor on the ship Hansa. According to the captain, the trip was one of the worst of record. The ship tipped so much to the side that water got in through the portholes.
They arrived in New York on the day Abraham Lincoln was shot, April 14, 1865. Albert Hulsebus, a brother of Peter Hulsebus, met and took the family to his home in Staten Island, New York. On the third day they left for Burlington, Iowa, where Johann Budde, a cousin of Ettje, met them. The next morning the two sons in this country, John and Enno, arrived with a team and wagon to take them to the 140-acre farm 12 miles northwest of Burlington, Iowa, which Peter had purchased on his first trip to the U.S.
Peter later sold this farm and bought another in Danville, Iowa, and lived there until some time in 1874, then moving to West Burlington, Iowa.
Sometime during the 1880's they moved to Wayne County, Iowa, on a small farm 3 1/2 miles east of Lewisburg, Iowa. Lewisburg is not now shown on the map, but it was about 8 miles south of Humeston, Iowa. Their son, Bernard, owned a store there and was postmaster. My day, Lawrence, remembered a blacksmith shop and school there when he lived in Wayne County.
In 1880, ten of the 11 children were married and only the youngest, Ida, was still home. Six of the children resided near their parents and their families grew. One might way that the Hulsebus family represented a small German Community in themselves, largely conversing in German, children included.
Peter and Ettje were a devout and religious couple, adhering strickly to the doctrine of the German Lutheran Church. There was no German church in the community so this family with their German neighbors met in a school house in the community and conducted Sunday School and one neighbor would read a serman. Occasionally, visiting ministers conducted the service. Later, Rev. Johannes F. Reinsch held German and Bible school during English school vacation. (Rev. Reinsch married a daughter of Peter's son Bernard). In time, a small German Lutheran church was built.
Peter and Ettje lived on the farm in Wayne County, Iowa, until the death of Peter in 1891. Ettje lived there a few years more and then lived with daughter, Johanna (Hannah) Hulsebus Gerdes. In 1990, Ettje moved to Peoria, Illinois, where she lived with daughter Ettje Hulsebus Schmidt for 17 years until her death in 1917.
From BYGONE DAYS, Autobiography and Family History with Photographs and Clippings, by Irene Nora (Hulsebus) Neff, Christmas 1990. Originally given to her daughter Pamela Neff & her 3 children.
Children of Peter Bernadino Hulsebus and Ettje Janssen Budde are:
+Enno Heinrich Hulsebus, b. Sep 22, 1844, Leer, Hanover, Germany, d. May 09, 1918, buried in Evangelical Cemetery, Donnellson, IA.
Peter Bernadino Hulsebus (b. Apr 04, 1814, d. Mar 05, 1891)
Notes for Peter Bernadino Hulsebus: