Geenen, Mary

Other Events:

• Biography: 1911; History of Outagamie County, Wisconsin Page 0653

Notes:

Biography:
Dina, Minnie And Anna GEENEN. One of the most successful business establishments operated and owned by women in the United States is that of the Misses D. M. and A. Geenen, who are conducting a large retail dry goods business in Appleton, Wisconsin. This business was established in 1896 by the Misses Geenan, in company with Mr. Koch and William Smith, both of whose interests have been purchased by the ladies, who now carry on the business by themselves. The business first started in the old Morey building, but as the venture proved successful and steadily grew, more space was needed, and the operations now cover three store buildings, each 22x135 feet. A complete line of dry goods is carried, and the proprietresses have proved that they are not only capable in a business way, but that they can introduce new features into their business, learning the public's wishes and cultivating its tastes for new innovations. The Misses Geenen are the daughters of John Geenen, who came to the United States in 1856. He resided in the State of Illinois for about two years and then located with his brother-in-law, Mr. Evert Sanders, on the Fox River, at the present site of South Kaukauna, where they took up wild land and brought it under cultivation. John Geenen had a family of eight children, of whom three are deceased, the survivors being: Mrs. Wm. Brill, living on a farm in Buchanan township; William, a florist at Kimberly; and Dina, Minnie and Anna, of Appleton. Evert Sanders was born in Holland in 1819, and died in October, 1903. He came to the United States in 1858 and located with John Geenen on the Fox River. He married Henrietta Geenen, a sister of John Geenen, and they had no children. He was a prominent figure in politics during his day, being town clerk and justice of the peace for many years.

Mary married VanDyke, Oscar Aft 1918. Oscar (son of VanDyke, Matthew and Vandenberg, Adelia Ida "Delia") was born 14 Jul 1900, Freedom, Outagamie, Wisconsin, USA; died 21 Jan 1964, , Manitowoc County, Wisconsin, USA; was buried Aft 21 Jan 1964, St. Nicholas Catholic Cemetery, Freedom, Wisconsin, USA. [Group Sheet]