Martin Gerrits

Kaukauna Times March 16, 1882

KAUKAUNA LAND MARK GONE.
Another Pioneer of 1848 Departs!

Martin Gerrits, Esq., a man prominent and widely known, who was born in Holland July 31, 1822, departed this life at his residence in Little Chute, March 3d, about five P.M. after a few hours sickness, leaving a widow and seven children. He was buried at Little Chute on the 6th inst., and not-withstanding the bad, almost impassible condition of the roads, a surprising large concourse of people attended the funeral after the usual religious ceremonies were performed.
From the time of his arrival at Little Chute in 1848, Martin Gerrits was always greatly esteemed. He was thoroughly educated in English, Holland and French, was friendly and courteous with everybody, and therefore popular, and has always been prominent in town and county affairs. He has held various town offices; for instance, Assessor, Treasurer and Chairman, and for many years Justice of the Peace, which latter office he held at the time of his death. He was also for a term each, Clerk of the Board of County Supervisors, (now County Clerk,) and County Superintendent of Schools. He was a man noted for his integrity, and for his liberal and genial qualities, his heart and hand being always open, and his friendship ever enduring. His death will be universally regretted.
GERRITS, Martin was born in Holland in 1822; in 1848 he came to this country and settled in Little Chute the same year, where he resided until ihs death. He was married to Elizabeth Gisbers in 1851; Mrs. Gerrits died in March, 1895; they have 13 children, seven of them died previous to 1882. Linda Gerrits was married in 1884 to C. H.L. Hamer, who is now and has been for several years clerk of the city of Kaukauna; they have 2 children. First child, Peter Gerrits born in 1861. Second son, John Gerrits born in 1862; married to Mary Smith in 1892. Third, Minnie Gerrits, born in 1864; married to John Lamers in 1886; they have 5 children. Fourth, Fred Gerrits, born in 1868. Fifth James Gerrits, born in 1869; married Dora Peters in 1892; they have 1 child. Martin Gerrits was a prominent citizen; he filled several town offices with great ability and taught school in Little Chute many years and was much respected by all his neighbors. Taken from Outagamie County Pioneer Record.

# 1 OUTAGAMIE COUNTY COURT: IN PROBATE.
IN RE: ESTATE OF MARTIN GERRITS DECEASED
PETITION FOR PROOF OF NUNCUPATIVE WILL
FILED MAR 8 1882 OUTAGAMIE COUNTY COURT JUDGE HARRIMAN - Minute Book: A 82
She believes it to be true – J. E. Harriman County Judge

Document 1

Outagamie County Court: In Probate. In the matter of the Nuncupative Will of Martin Gerrits, deceased. On reading and filing the petition of Elizabeth Gerrits of the town of Kaukauna in said county representing among other things that the said Martin Gerrits lately died at Little Chute in said town of Kaukauna. That at the time of his last sickness he made and pronounced his Nuncupative Will in manner provided by law, wherein said petitioner is named as sole legatee and praying that the proof thereof be taken and the same allowed and admitted to probate as the last will and testament of said Martin Gerrits deceased and that letters of Administration with the will annexed be thereon issued to Elizabeth Gerrits.
It is ordered that said petition and proofs of said alleged nuncupative will be heard at a Special term of said county court, to be held in and for said county at the probate office in the city of Appleton, on the second Tuesday, being the 11th of April A. D.1882
It is further ordered that notice of time and place of such hearing be giving by personal service on all parties interested, residing in said county, at least ten days before the time appointed aforesaid, and by publication of such notice at last three weeks successively previous to said time in the Appleton Crescent a weekly newspaper published at the city of Appleton in said county Dated Appleton March 8, 1882.
By the Court,
J. E. Harriman
County Judge

(source: Martin Gerrits op de website van de Little Chute Historical Society)