Derk Sikkema

Derk Sikkema was born in the country village of Pieterburen, located in the extreme north of the Dutch northeastern province Groningen, son of day laborers Johannes Sikkema and Anna Wiebenga.

In 1883 he emigrated with his parents and siblings to the city of Fulton, located in the extreme northwestern part of Illinois, USA, on the east bank of the Mississippi River. Across the river lies the city of Clinton in Iowa. The city, founded in 1838, was named for Robert Fulton, the inventor of the steamboat. Fulton is a city most known for its pride in its Dutch heritage. This is shown through the addition of a traditional Dutch windmill, De Immigrant, located near the city's dike, which borders the Mississippi. Other local attractions include: the Martin House Museum, Heritage Canyon, the Dutch Days festival held annually on the first weekend of May, and its view of the Mississippi River. Fulton had in 1890 2,099 people, in 2010 3,481.

On April 16, 1883 the 19 years old Dirk Siekma arrived with his family on the the s.s. Amsterdam at the port of New York, Castle Garden.

On December 12, 1888 Dick Sikkema married in Whiteside County, Illinois Bena Klont, who was born Bieuwdina Klont in August 1868 in the country village of Westernieland, located in the extreme north of the Dutch northeastern province Groningen, about a mile east of Pieterburen, where Derk was born. She emigrated in 1881 with her parents and siblings also to Fulton, Illinois, USA.

On February 22, 1892 Dick Sikkema was naturalized by the Court of Whiteside County, Illinois and became an American citizen.

In June 1900 Derk Sikkema (36 years old, born in November 1863 in Holland, immigrated in 1883, farmer), his wife Lena (31, October [has to be: August] 1868, Holland, immigrated in 1881, mother of 1 deceased and 3 living children), their children Joseph (10, December 1889, Illinois), Nellie (8, October 1891, Illinois) and Anna (5, March 1895, Illinois) were living on a rented farm in Ustick Township, Whiteside, Illinois.

In May 1910 Dick J Sikkema (46, farmer), his wife Bena (41, mother of 4 living children), their children Joseph (20, clerk at a grocery store), Nellie (17), Anna (15) and Gerret (8, Illinois) were living on their own farm in the town of Fulton, Blind Clarly Road, Whiteside County, Illinois.

In January 1920 Dick Sikkema (56, farmer), his wife Bena (52), their son Gerrit (17) and his father-in-law Gerrit Kleent (83, Holland, immigrated in 1881, widower) were living on his own farm in Ward 1 of Fulton, Whiteside County, Illinois.

In April 1930 Dick J Sikkema (66, farmer) and his wife Bena (61) were living on their own farm at Thompson Road in Fulton, Whiteside County, Illinois.

Because Dick Sikkema is not mentioned in Census 1940 he died likely before, very probably in Fulton, Illinois.

On April 29, 1945 his wife (widow?) Bena died at the age of 76 years in Fulton, Whiteside County, Illinois. Source: Funeral notice published, The Daily Times, 14 Jan 1953, Page 24.* Reference: Find A Grave Memorial - SmartCopy: Nov 15 2020, 21:27:05 UTC

Derk Sikkema was born in the country village of Pieterburen, located in the extreme north of the Dutch northeastern province Groningen, son of day laborers Johannes Sikkema and Anna Wiebenga.

In 1883 he emigrated with his parents and siblings to the city of Fulton, located in the extreme northwestern part of Illinois, USA, on the east bank of the Mississippi River. Across the river lies the city of Clinton in Iowa.
The city, founded in 1838, was named for Robert Fulton, the inventor of the steamboat.
Fulton is a city most known for its pride in its Dutch heritage. This is shown through the addition of a traditional Dutch windmill, De Immigrant, located near the city's dike, which borders the Mississippi. Other local attractions include: the Martin House Museum, Heritage Canyon, the Dutch Days festival held annually on the first weekend of May, and its view of the Mississippi River.
Fulton had in 1890 2,099 people, in 2010 3,481.

On April 16, 1883 the 19 years old Dirk Siekma arrived with his family on the the s.s. Amsterdam at the port of New York, Castle Garden.

On December 12, 1888 Dick Sikkema married in Whiteside County, Illinois Bena Klont, who was born Bieuwdina Klont in August 1868 in the country village of Westernieland, located in the extreme north of the Dutch northeastern province Groningen, about a mile east of Pieterburen, where Derk was born. She emigrated in 1881 with her parents and siblings also to Fulton, Illinois, USA.

On February 22, 1892 Dick Sikkema was naturalized by the Court of Whiteside County, Illinois and became an American citizen.

In June 1900 Derk Sikkema (36 years old, born in November 1863 in Holland, immigrated in 1883, farmer), his wife Lena (31, October [has to be: August] 1868, Holland, immigrated in 1881, mother of 1 deceased and 3 living children), their children Joseph (10, December 1889, Illinois), Nellie (8, October 1891, Illinois) and Anna (5, March 1895, Illinois) were living on a rented farm in Ustick Township, Whiteside, Illinois.

In May 1910 Dick J Sikkema (46, farmer), his wife Bena (41, mother of 4 living children), their children Joseph (20, clerk at a grocery store), Nellie (17), Anna (15) and Gerret (8, Illinois) were living on their own farm in the town of Fulton, Blind Clarly Road, Whiteside County, Illinois.

In January 1920 Dick Sikkema (56, farmer), his wife Bena (52), their son Gerrit (17) and his father-in-law Gerrit Kleent (83, Holland, immigrated in 1881, widower) were living on his own farm in Ward 1 of Fulton, Whiteside County, Illinois.

In April 1930 Dick J Sikkema (66, farmer) and his wife Bena (61) were living on their own farm at Thompson Road in Fulton, Whiteside County, Illinois.

Because Dick Sikkema is not mentioned in Census 1940 he died likely before, very probably in Fulton, Illinois.

On April 29, 1945 his wife (widow?) Bena died at the age of 76 years in Fulton, Whiteside County, Illinois. Source: Funeral notice published, The Daily Times, 14 Jan 1953, Page 24.* Reference: Find A Grave Memorial - SmartCopy: Mar 12 2024, 9:17:03 UTC