Remembering East Frisian Immigrants Who Settled near German Valley, Illinois: A Family History Scrapbook

Authors

Derek M. Heeren, University of Nebraska - LincolnFollow

Date of this Version

1-2024

Document Type

Article

Citation

Heeren, D. 2024. Remembering East Frisian immigrants who settled near German Valley, Illinois: A family history scrapbook. Originally compiled by Sophia M. Heeren. CC BY-NC 4.0.

Comments

Open access (CC BY-NC 4.0).

Abstract

In June of 1848, Jelle Heeren (age 25) married Taalke Park (age 15) near Rhauderfhen, East Friesland (German: Ostfriesland). One year later, on September 10, along with their infant son, they left everything that was familiar to them in Germany. Based on glowing reports of good opportunities for farming and raising a family on the American frontier, they set sail for the United States. After what must have been a traumatic voyage (including the death of their son), they entered the United States at New York City. Continuing onward, they arrived at a new East Frisian settlement in Illinois (later known as German Valley) on November 23, 1849. Jelle and Taalke established a farm, raised a large family, welcomed new settlers, and helped start a local church.

Most of this paper is a Family History Scrapbook which was originally compiled by Sophia (Wagner) Heeren in 1992. It focuses on Jelle and Taalke Heeren and their family, although it also highlights their grandson, John J. Heeren, who spent his career as an educational missionary in China. The scrapbook includes records of genealogy, pictures, and excerpts from books. While many of the details are specific to Jelle and Taalke’s family, the broader themes of this paper may be of interest to any reader who enjoys learning about German immigrants who settled in the American heartland. An extended introduction provides historical context and a glimpse into the experiences of this early-immigrant generation, the first generation of East Frisian immigrants in the American Midwest.