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eSmits Family Historyf
Matthijs Smits (1841-1919)
Parents: Theodore Smits (1804-1867)
Petronella Philipsen (1814-1895)
Siblings:
Jacob Smits
(1843-1931)
Maria Katharina Smits (1846-1893)
Spouse: Maria Catharina Lichterfeld (1853-1936)
Children:
Theodore Smits
(1881-1944)
Catherine Smits (1883-1952)
Petronella Smits (1885-1932)
Jacob Smits (1887-1891)
Henry Smits (1890-1918)
Maria Christine Smits (1895-1955)
Matthijs (Mathias, Mat) Smits was born April 21, 1841 in Horst, Limburg, Netherlands the first child of Theodore Smits, a farmer, and Petronella Philipsen, a housewife. His father died in 1867, when Matthijs was 26 years old. In 1873 Matthijs' younger brother, Jacob, emigrated to the United States. In Grubbenvorst, Holland, on his 38th birthday of April 21, 1879, Matthijs married Maria Catharina Lichterfeld, the 25 year old daugher of Arnold Lichterfeld & Anna Catharina Jeuken. Their first child, Theodore, was born January 26, 1881.
In 1883 Matthijs, his wife Maria and 2 year old son Theodore emigrated to the United States. Their second child, Catherine, was born July 18, 1883 in Hobart, Brown County, Wisconsin. Another daughter, Petronella was born in 1885, followed by sons, Jacob in 1887 and Henry in 1890. On January 11, 1891 their three year old son, Jacob, died.
DeVolksstem, Jan. 14, 1891
In June 1900, Matthijs was a farmer in the Town of Lawrence, Brown County, Wisconsin. Living with him were his wife, Mary, and children Catherine (Katie), Petronella (Millie), Henry & Maria. The 16 year old Katie was now working in a paper mill. (The 1900 US Census incorrectly lists the last name as Smith.) Matthijs & Mary could neither read nor write, nor speak English. In April 1910 Matthijs is again listed as a farm laborer in the Town of Lawrence, living with his wife and children Theodore (farm laborer), Henry (farm laborer) & Mary.
On January 8, 1919 while their son Henry was away at World War I in France, Matthijs died. His funeral was held from St. Boniface Church in West DePere, Wisconsin on January 11th and he was buried in Mount Calvary Cemetery in DePere.
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De Volksstem January 21, 1919
The funeral of Math Smits, a retired farmer was held at St. Boniface Church on Saturday, January 11. Mr. Smits was born in Holland 77 years ago. He was in America for 30 years and had a farm in the Town of Lawrence. He leaves behind his wife and five children.
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