Emigrants from Aalten to the US
In the 19th century, thousands of Achterhoekers emigrated to the United States in search of land, freedom and new opportunities. Among them was the Stronks family from Dale. They were among the early European pioneers who settled in Sheboygan County, Wisconsin.
Jan Willem Stronks was born on April 27, 1817 on the Brunink farm in Dale, as the son of Garrit Jan Stronks and Garritjen Graven. In 1846 he emigrated to the United States. Jan Willem initially had insufficient means to travel on to the west, and therefore worked temporarily in the workshops of the railroads in Schenectady, New York. Shortly afterwards he moved on to Wisconsin.
There he met Grada Snoeijenbosch, also from Aalten. Grada was born on February 21, 1825 on the Snoeijenbosch farm on the Haart, as the daughter of Harmen Snoeijenbosch and Elizabeth Winkelhorst. In 1847 she came to Sheboygan with her family. Around 1850 Jan Willem and Grada married.
As one of the first Dutch pioneers, they settled in Holland Township, where they bought twenty acres (about eight hectares) of forest land. The plot was still completely undeveloped. Through hard work and thrift, Jan Willem managed to work his way up to become a prosperous farmer. However, his health suffered greatly from the physical labor, and he died in 1883 at the age of 64. Grada died in 1898 at the age of 73. Both were faithful members of the Dutch Reformed Church.
A new life for the children
Of their nine children, three died at a young age. Six children reached adulthood:
- Garrett John (1852–1908), Cedar Grove entrepreneur
- Herman Elbertus (1854–1946), merchant in Baldwin, WI
- John William (1857–1941), shopkeeper in Alton, Iowa
- Edward (1858–1940), also a merchant in Baldwin
- Caroline (1860–1956), married Henry Meengs, shopkeeper in Cedar Grove
- Hannah (1865–1943), married Henry Ramaker, also from Cedar Grove
Garrett John Stronks: From Farmer to Entrepreneur
Garrett John was born on March 21, 1852 in Holland Township. He grew up on his father’s farm. Due to Jan Willem’s fragile health, Garrett took charge of the farm at the age of fourteen. His education was limited; In total, he did not go to school for more than a year. After seven years, he decided to leave farm life behind and focus on trade.
In nearby Oostburg, he cut wood from the forest himself to build a shop of 18 by 28 feet (approx. 47 m²). He borrowed the starting capital from his father: 700 dollars. He knew nothing about trade, his ideas about what and how much to buy were rather vague, but despite these bumps he was determined to persevere.
He bought twice as many goods as he could afford in Milwaukee and suddenly the situation dawned on him: he had high debts, no customers, no experience and bills to pay. When he surveyed the state of affairs, he became so despondent that he had resolved never to buy anything again, if he could sell what he had.
But from the beginning, his business flourished; The people had confidence in him and supported his enterprise. The inhabitants of Oostburg had confidence in him and supported his enterprise. Within two weeks, Garrett was back in Milwaukee to buy more goods.
In 1875, he moved his business to Cedar Grove, where he opened the village’s second store. There he ran a successful shop for seventeen years. From 1979 he also started with grain trading, which he devoted himself to from 1892 onwards. In addition to his own grain warehouse and other real estate, he also owned 12 acres of farmland on the outskirts of Cedar Grove.
On October 21, 1885, Garrett John Stronks married Jessie Blanche Smith, daughter of Gilbert H. Smith. They had five children.
Community and death
Garrett was active in the Republican Party and served as postmaster of Cedar Grove during Benjamin Harrison’s presidency. He was considered one of the most prominent citizens of his community. His life story is that of a self-made man: started with nothing, but through commitment, courage and entrepreneurial spirit he has grown into a respected and prosperous inhabitant of Holland Township.
Garrett John Stronks died on February 29, 1908 and was buried in Cedar Grove Cemetery, just like his parents.
