Freerk Van Zuiden

Fred was born Freerk van Zuiden (= from South) in October 1869 in the country village of Warffum, located in the northern part of the Dutch northeastern province Groningen, the third child and second son of Willem van Zuiden (38 years old, day-laborer) and Tjaaktje Dijkema (day-laborer too). Source: scan of his birth certificate. He was named after his grandfather Freerk Jans van Zuiden.

He had the following siblings in Warffum:

• Hiektje, March 18, 1863;
• Jan, January 24, 1869;
• Trientje, March 1, 1872;
• Albert, August 12, 1874, died August 11, 1875;
• Albert, January 1, 1878.

Their parents were in all those years both day-laborers.

On April 7, 1892 the 22 years old laborer Fr VanZuiden arrived on the S.S. Spaarndam at the the port of New York, Castle Garden. He sailed with his cousins William VanZuiden (32, farmer) and Trijntje VanZuiden (36), both children of Jan Freerks van Zuiden and Hilje Jans Doornbos, and both born in Warffum too. Their destination was the city of Fulton, located on the eastern banks of the Mississippi River, in the northeastern part of Illinois, Whiteside County. Fulton is 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 of course its great view of the river.

On May 2, 1893 his brother Jan VanZuiden (26, farmer), his wife Jantje [Poel] (28) and their son Willem (2) arrived on the S.S. Rotterdam at the port of New York, Castle Garden. Their last residence place in the Netherlands was Warffum and their destination was also Fulton.

On April 19, 1894 his parents Willem VanZuiden (57, laborer) and Tjaaktje (56), and his brother Albert (27, laborer) arrived on the S.S. Dubbeldam at the port of New York, Castle Garden. Their destination was also Fulton.

On October 5, 1900 Fred Van Zuiden was naturalized by a court in Morrison, the seat of Whiteside County, located in the northwestern part of Illinois, east of the Mississippi River.

About 1901 Fred Van Zuiden married the six years younger Susan Sikkema, who had Dutch parents too.

On June 7, 1902 their son William F Van Zuiden was born in Garden Plain, Whiteside County, Illinois, about 1904 son George W. was born, and on March 26, 1914 daughter Cora May.

In January 1920 Fred Vanzuiden (48 years old, born in Holland, immigrated in 1892, farmer), his wife Susie (42, Illinois), their children William F (17, Illinois, laborer), George W (15, Illinois) and Cora May (5, Illinois) were living at their own home in Garden Plain, Whiteside County, Illinois.

In November 1921 his wife Susan died at the age of 44 years in Garden Plain, Whiteside County, Illinois.

In April 1930 Fred Vanzuiden (58, immigrated in 1894, widower, farmer), and his sons William (27, farmer) and George (25, farmer) were living at their own home in still Garden Plain, Whiteside County, Illinois.* Reference: Find A Grave Memorial - SmartCopy: Dec 27 2019, 2:19:58 UTC